ROZSA HORIZONS OF ARTS LEADERSHIP
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Rozsa Horizons of Arts Leadership is a cohort-based training program designed to empower experienced Alberta 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.
2026-2027 PROGRAM
The 2026-2027 program will be offered in-person in Calgary in five two-day sessions at cSPACE Marda Loop. Participants from outside of Calgary will be offered a travel subsidy and provided local accommodation as necessary.
Schedule:
November 6, 2026
10am to 1pm
VIRTUAL
Welcome & Introduction to Change
November 26 & 27, 2026
9:30 am to 5:00 pm
Authentic Leadership in Times of Complexity
Facilitator: David Irvine
Cultural Awareness as Leadership Practice
Facilitator: Toyin Oladele
January 14 & 15, 2027
9:30 am to 5:00 pm
Leading through Change: The People Side
Facilitator: Jeanne LeSage, LeSage Arts Management
Complex Communications in Leadership
Facilitator: Alex Middleton, Champion Communications
March 11 & 12, 2027
9:30 am to 5:00 pm
Leading Strategic Revenue Generation
Facilitator: Jeni Piepgrass, Bespoke Social Profit Solutions
Leading Collaboration (Working Title)
Facilitator: Gideon Arthurs, Soulpepper Theatre
April 22 & 23, 2027
9:30 am to 5:00 pm
Shaping the Shift: Designing Change in the Arts
Facilitators: Jennifer DeDominicis, Distill Consulting; Brian Loevner, BLVE Consulting; Simon Mallett, Rozsa Foundation
June 3 & 4, 2027
9:30 am to 5:00 pm
Relational Leadership in Action
Facilitator: Shannon Litzenberger
Shaping the Shift: Exploring Small Experiments
Facilitators: Jennifer DeDominicis, Distill Consulting; Simon Mallett, Rozsa Foundation
Full session descriptions & learning outcomes are here.
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.
PROGRAM ALUMNI
• Chenoa Anderson, New Music Edmonton
• Janet Bwititi, Calgary Phil
• Al Chapman, Arts Habitat Edmonton
• Sue Elliott, Calgary Opera
• Jill Henderson, Esker Foundation
• Rebekah Jarvis, The Confluence
• Chandra Kastern, Red Deer Museum + Art Gallery
• Jamie McRae, The Film & Video Arts Society of Alberta (FAVA)
• Perpetual Nwaefido, Penthouse Family Studios
• Alyssa Paterson, Francis Winspear Centre for Music/Edmonton Symphony Orchestra
• Tak Pham, Illingworth Kerr Gallery, AuArts
• Amanda Smith, Honens
• Kate Stadel, YMCA Calgary
• Jenna Stanton, Alberta Craft Council
• Jessica Whitford, Medalta
Rozsa Horizons of Arts Leadership
at a Glance
Who should apply?
Alberta 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?
Rozsa Horizons of Arts Leadership takes place from
November 6, 2026, to June 4, 2027.**
What is the tuition for Horizons?
Tuition for 2026-2027 is between $750-$2,000, depending on the budget of the applicant's affiliated organization. (see below)
Note: Calgary and Edmonton participants will automatically have 50% of their tuition covered through the generosity of Calgary Arts Development and the Edmonton Arts Council.
When can I apply?
Applications for Horizons 2026-2027 are now open, and the deadline to apply is August 7, 2026. Eligible Applications received after this date will be placed on a waiting list.
**The Horizons cohort will also have access to Intersections, which begin October 21, 2026.
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 leadership capacities, examine people-centred HR, complex communications, strategic collaborations, 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 experimentation within their organizations.
Graduates of the program receive a certificate of completion that signifies a commitment to leadership and skills development.
Rozsa Horizons of Arts Leadership includes a two-day session focused on adaptive change. Beyond the program, funding will be available to participants should they wish to explore a small change-based experiment that builds on program learnings with a practical application. Learn more about Small Experiments Funding here.
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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Explore and design collaborations and partnerships with other organizations and in community
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Navigate contemporary leadership challenges including complex communications and revenue diversification
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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.
Note: Participants from Calgary and Edmonton will automatically receive 50% tuition support through the generous support of Calgary Arts Development and the Edmonton Arts Council, respectively.
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 five in-person sessions.
If you have concerns about attendance, please contact Director of Training, Samantha MacDonald.