Leadership Arts

A large group of people, dressed in business casual attire, pose together and smile for a group photo in a conference room with a plain white wall and brown carpet.

Leadership Arts 2024-2025 Cohort. Image by Amanda Tipton Photography

Be Part of Leadership Arts

For over 28 years, CBCA has built a pipeline of leaders in the arts through Leadership Arts. This unique nine-month program prepares people to serve on nonprofit boards of directors and increase their civic engagement in the arts. The Leadership Arts curriculum focuses on building the necessary skills to be an effective volunteer leader and explores relevant topics in Colorado’s arts sector. Hear what past participants have to say about Leadership Arts!

Applications for the 2026-2027 Leadership Arts program will open in June 2026.

Make an Impact

Be part of Leadership Arts and make an impact.

Learn the ins and outs of nonprofit board service
Connect with professionals from a variety of industries and backgrounds
Sharpen your leadership skills and build confidence
Become a more engaged and effective arts advocate
Leverage applicable business skills in a new way
Network with like-minded individuals
Make a difference in our cultural community

Network and Engage

Each cohort comprises a diverse mix of personal and professional backgrounds. Participants range in industry sector, career level and experience, but all share an interest in the arts and civic engagement.

There are 1,200 Leadership Arts graduates across the Denver Metro area and beyond, many of whom continue to serve in our cultural sector as board members, volunteers and arts leaders.

What to Expect for Leadership Arts 2025-2026

From September 2025 through May 2026, the Leadership Arts cohort will gather to learn, discuss and engage with topics relevant to volunteer service, civic leadership and arts advocacy. The curriculum covers nonprofit board governance, legal and fiscal stewardship, fundraising, advocacy, as well as current topics in the arts like health & wellness, social justice, and Colorado’s creative districts.

Interactive sessions are led by professionals in the field, consultants and community leaders, augmented with hands-on arts experiences, behind-the-scenes tours and engaging activities.

All 12 half-day sessions will be hosted at various cultural venues across the Denver metro area. Check out the 2025-2026 Session Schedule.

Tuition

Tuition rates depend on CBCA Membership. CBCA Members receive substantial savings!

Tuition is $2,250 for CBCA Members and their employees. Non-member tuition is $2,750.

Scholarships

The Deborah Jordy Leadership Arts Scholarship provides a limited number of full and partial scholarships every year. This is a competitive scholarship application and review process.

Leadership Arts is committed to ensuring that cultural nonprofits are supported by diverse, effective, and inspired board members and volunteers. We strive to build an inclusive community of arts advocates for Colorado. The Deborah Jordy Leadership Arts Scholarship is intended to recognize leadership potential, increase the financial accessibility of the program, and ensure a variety of perspectives and experiences in advancing arts and culture.

Check out the Deborah Jordy Leadership Arts Scholarship Application, or contact main@cbca.org before the due date to learn more. Scholarship application materials must be received by August 8, 2025.

Donate to the Deborah Jordy Leadership Arts Scholarship Fund to support access for future participants.

Image by Amanda Tipton Photography

What People Are Saying About Leadership Arts

“I highly recommend Leadership Arts to anyone aspiring to take on leadership roles within our community’s cultural organizations. Thanks to the diverse and comprehensive curriculum, I now feel far more prepared and confident in my role as a board member. Perhaps even more valuable, though, have been the relationships I’ve built with this exceptional cohort. I look forward to continuing to support and learn from each other for years to come.” – Jinha Servais, Barefoot PR

“Leadership Arts is a great way to connect with ambitious, creative and interesting individuals in all kinds of sectors throughout the Denver Metro.” – Paul Bork, Denver Business Journal

“Attending CBCA Leadership Arts was a pivotal moment in my life and career. Before Leadership Arts, I was looking for ways to get involved. I would volunteer in my local community, but I knew there was a piece missing. Growing up a dancer and having a strong passion for the arts, I knew I had to find a new way to embrace the arts without stepping on the stage and being the performer. Leadership Arts has given me a new way to look at the arts, community and the relationship that is built between the two. I would not have been given the education, confidence, networking opportunities or new experiences if it wasn’t for the stage Leadership Arts provided. I am forever grateful for this opportunity and I know the skills I developed because of this program will be used in years to come. ” – Mariah Gayheart, Business Manager, TIAA

“I have been able to take back knowledge and insights from each session to each of my boards, actively using the knowledge from the sessions to become a more productive member of my organizations. I also really enjoyed getting to visit so many organizations around CO, and loved making so many new friends. I hope to continue seeing everyone in my cohort and hopefully to make and do fun events with them.” – Brandon Vargas, Meow Wolf Denver

“Leadership Arts has been an invaluable learning experience, both from the content of the sessions and from the relationships fostered with other cohort members host organizations. While I had some prior experience with nonprofits as both a board and staff member, Leadership Arts helped me fill gaps in my knowledge and experience to be a more effective member of the arts and nonprofit communities.” – Luke Wachter, Newman Center for the Performing Arts

“Leadership Arts was more than a professional development program—it was a transformational experience. Through my involvement with CBCA, I gained a deeper understanding of how the arts enrich our communities and how I can be an advocate and leader within that space. The connections I made, the stories I heard, and the hands-on learning inspired me to think bigger about the role of creativity in civic life. I walked away feeling empowered, equipped, and energized to serve.” – Joanna Mora, Colorado Public Radio