ROZSA HORIZONS OF ARTS LEADERSHIP
Rozsa Horizons of Arts Leadership is a cohort-based training program designed to empower experienced arts leaders. Focused on cultivating readiness for change, the program blends expert presentations, peer learning, and practical application, enabling leaders to explore pathways to organizational innovation and transformation, and equipping them to lead with vision, compassion, and adaptability in a shifting arts landscape.
2025-2026 PROGRAM
The 2025-2026 program will be offered in-person in Calgary in four two-day sessions. Locations within the city will vary. Participants from outside of Calgary will be reimbursed for travel costs and provided local accommodation as necessary.
Schedule:
November 20 & 21, 2025
Cultural Awareness in Leadership
Facilitator: Nikki Shaffeeullah
January 29 & 30, 2026
Leading through Change: The People Side
Facilitator: Jeanne LeSage, LeSage Arts Management
Ethical AI
Facilitator: Katrina Ingram, Ethically Aligned AI
March 26 & 27, 2026
Strategic Communications
Facilitators: Alex Middleton, Annalise Klingbeil, Champion Communications
Relational Leadership in Action
Facilitator: Shannon Litzenberger
May 28 & 29, 2026
Shaping the Shift: Designing Change in the Arts
Facilitators: Jennifer DeDominicis, Distill Consulting; Brian Loevner, BLVE Consulting; Simon Mallett, Rozsa Foundation
WHO WILL BENEFIT
Senior organizational leadership from all disciplines in roles including (but not limited to) Executive and Managing Directors, General Managers, Senior Directors, Senior Producers and those stepping into leadership.
Rozsa Horizons of Arts Leadership
at a Glance
Who should apply?
Arts professionals in senior leadership positions at an organization (Executive or Managing Directors, General Managers, Senior Directors) and others poised for leadership.
When is Horizons?
The first cohort of Rozsa Horizons of Arts Leadership takes place from
November 20, 2025, to May 29, 2026.**
What is the tuition for Horizons?
Tuition for 2025-2026 is between $750-$2,000, depending on the budget of the applicant's affiliated organization.
When can I apply?
Applications for Horizons 2025-2026 are now open, and the deadline to apply is September 19, 2025. Eligible Applications received after this date will be placed on a waiting list.
**The Horizons cohort will also have access to Intersections, beginning October 29, 2025.
For information about Intersections, go here:
https://www.rozsafoundation.com/intersections
The Rozsa Foundation acknowledges that systemic barriers to equity exist when it comes to the training application process. We encourage you to contact our Director of Training, Samantha MacDonald if we may provide additional supports or alternative application methods.
DESCRIPTION
Arts leaders stand at a pivotal moment. While the terrain they navigate grows more complex - shaped by shifting cultural values, tightening financial realities, and the deep human impact of burnout - this moment also invites courage, innovation, and collective renewal. Rozsa Horizons of Arts Leadership is a chance to explore the current leadership terrain and uncover strategies for sustainable, values-driven change in cohort with other arts leaders. Framed by training in cultural and contextual awareness, the program will also examine people-centred HR, ethical approaches to AI, strategic and crisis communications, relational leadership through embodied practice, and processes to instigate meaningful organizational change. Leaders will leave with tools and practical resources to navigate complexity with confidence, supporting care, innovation, and mindful risk-taking within their organizations.
Graduates of the program receive a certificate of completion that signifies a commitment to leadership and skillls development.
Rozsa Horizons of Arts Leadership will culminate in a two-day session focussed on adaptive change. Beyond the program, it is the intention of the Rozsa Foundation to make funding and coaching available to participants should they wish to explore a small change-based experiment that builds on program learnings with a practical application.
HORIZONS LEARNING OUTCOMES
At the conclusion of this program, you will be able to:
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Demonstrate values-driven leadership in a complex environment
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Cultivate and sustain adaptive, resilient teams with care
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Navigate contemporary leadership challenges including ethical AI integration and strategic communications
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Analyze challenges and opportunities within your organization
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Lead mindful innovation and risk-taking to drive sustainable organizational growth
TUITION
The Rozsa Foundation requires a financial investment from organizations in order to secure participants' place in the program. Please note that the tuition fee depends on the organization's operating budget:
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$750 - Non-profit/Registered Charity: Operating Budget less than $300,000
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$1,250 - Non-profit/Registered Charity: Operating Budget between $300,001-$1,000,000
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$2,000 - Non-profit/Registered Charity: Operating Budget more than $1,000,001
Applicants may contact the Rozsa Foundation for information on further subsidies.
ATTENDANCE AND PROGRAM COMPLETION
The Rozsa Foundation is making an investment in the success of Horizons participants by heavily subsidizing tuition for the program. In exchange for this support, participants are expected to commit themselves to the program and their peers. A participant is considered a program graduate only if they attend all four in-person sessions.
If you have concerns about attendance, please contact Director of Training, Samantha MacDonald.