This six-month program will include orientation, four in depth learning sessions, and a closing event that ties it all together. While there are many things arts and culture nonprofit leaders need to know, we chose the top issues that will make everyone a better leader.

1. Leadership: includes how to create a positive and inspiring workplace culture. Participants will take DiSC Work of Leaders Assessments that will help them identify their leadership style and better understand their own strengths and challenges as leaders. The goal is to help MEDALists create a happy and healthy culture for their staff and volunteers.
2. Human Resources: this is one of the most commonly requested topics that impacts everyone. As the majority of nonprofit arts and culture organizations do not employ or contract with a human resources professional, this work is often done by someone in the leadership team. In addition to the basics of hiring, firing, benefits, employment packages, and payroll, participants will learn what is required by law and what is best practice.
3. Governance: this topic helps leaders understand what is required legally of an organization, including required organization documents and annual filings, and the relationship between the staff and board of directors. Board members from each organization may be invited to join this session and learn how to be better partners to the organization’s executive staff. 
4. Development: raising money is one of the top priorities for nonprofit leaders as it is how the organization stays solvent. The exact areas of development and finance that will be covered will be determined by the needs of those accepted into the program. 
5. Back to Leadership: MEDALists will complete self-awareness and self-exploration exercises individually and as a team to ensure each participant is set up for success no matter what situation they find themselves in.

There is so much that leaders of nonprofit arts and culture organizations need to know. But we also know that leaders don’t have a lot of time they can take away from their work to learn these things. That’s why these sessions will be high-level overviews focused on the most important aspects of running a nonprofit arts or culture organization in the WNY region. To help fill in the gaps, ASI will provide participants with resources and additional opportunities that they can peruse on their own.

Participants will also have the opportunity to connect to past MEDAL participants who have offered to mentor and connect with new cohort members. While the ASI staff are always available for support and questions, we feel that connecting to those who are doing similar work has long lasting and far reaching benefits. This also acts as a networking tool to help strengthen the entire WNY arts and culture industry.