Arts Leaders of Metro Atlanta (ALMA) was created by MAACC in 2004 to encourage leaders throughout the community to take an active role in learning about issues and challenges facing the region’s arts & culture community by facilitating a series of four day-long sessions with the following perspectives:

• provide corporate leaders with an overview of arts related issues provided by speakers & panelists who are leaders in their fields regarding the arts as they relate to: an overview of the arts in the region, arts funding, arts education,  public art, advocacy, arts management issues, the philosophies that guide a range of  arts groups, relationship between boards & artistic leadership, the economic impact of the arts and other important arts issues
• provide arts leaders with insights from corporate and foundational leaders as to why the arts are important to them, why they fund the arts, and how to plan for success when seeking corporate funding
• provide both arts and corporate leaders with the tools and knowledge to become informed and powerful advocates for the arts in Atlanta and Georgia
•  facilitate open, frank and high level topical & policy discussions within the class on problems & solutions to address key arts issues facing the region resulting in greater understanding and knowledge about the cultural community
  

MAACC keeps alumni engaged by providing the following opportunities:

•  ALMA graduates are encouraged to be leaders throughout the community taking an active role in the challenges facing the region’s arts and culture community.  Tools will be provided to make a tangible impact advocating for the arts in the region
•  ALMA graduates will be kept abreast of important issues in the arts through regular email correspondence, with a continued high-level discourse as to what legislation, reports and arts related news mean for arts in the region –and, how to have an effective impact on these issues
• MAACC will facilitate alumni development as trustees for the arts by making alumni aware of available positions on arts boards and what arts groups are looking for in filling their board positions
• Occasional discount and free ticket giveaways
• Opportunities to attend future ALMA panels 
• Annual alumni meetings
  

Who? Participants in the program are executive-level corporate, civic, government and arts leaders. Civic, political and arts leaders are invited to be speakers during topic-specific program days. Past speakers have included:

Mayor Shirley Franklin (Mayor, City of Atlanta),
Sam Olens (Chairman, Cobb County),
Lisa Cremin (Director, Metropolitan Atlanta Arts Fund),
Joe Bankoff (President and CEO, Woodruff Arts Center),
David Connell (Regional Manager, Georgia Power),
Peggy McCormick (Director of Economic Development, Atlanta Development Authority),
Ben Cameron (Theatre Communications Guild),
Dennis Kelly (President and CEO, Zoo Atlanta),
Kenny Leon (Artistic Director, True Colors Theater),
Michael Shapiro (Executive Director, High Museum of Art),
Tom Key (Executive Artistic Director, Theatrical Outfit),
Susan Neugent (President and CEO, Fernbank Museum of Natural History) and
Jan Selman (Executive Director, ALL-GA).

When?  Fall 2011 ALMA Classes will take place:

Wed. Sept 7, 5:30 pm — Kickoff
Wed. Sept 14 – Class 1
Wed. Oct 12 – Class 2
Wed. Nov 16 – Class 3
Wed. Dec 7 – Class 4 and Reception 

Note: locations will be a different art venues throughout the region

Download Last Year's Program Agendas
September 2010 (274k MS Word Document)
October 2010 (275k MS Word Document)
November 2010 (283k MS Word Document)
December 2010 (283k MS Word Document)

How do I apply?:

Applications are solicited region-wide. Interested individuals may apply directly.  Also, Board members, business leaders, arts leaders, government officials and ALMA alumni may nominate individuals for participation in the program.

Applications:  Click here for the application

Cost:
$500 for Corporate or Civic Leaders
$250 for Nonprofit Leaders

Application Deadline:  Applications for participation should be submitted via the online application no later than Tuesday, July 26, 2011 at 5 pm.  

Application Review: The ALMA Steering Committee will review applications - no more than 60 individuals  will be accepted per cycle.  The focus of the selection criteria is to recruit a diverse group of individuals with regard to ethnicity, profession, community service and demonstrated leadership.

Notification:  Successful applicants will be notified by e-mail and if selected, must commit to attending all four sessions.  

If you have questions email Greg Burbidge or call 404-527-6967