Rozsa Foundations of Arts Leadership - Applications Now Open

by Samanatha MacDonald, Director of Training

Since 2012, the Rozsa Foundation has been uplifting arts managers and leaders through various training interventions. One such intervention, originally titled Rozsa Arts Management Program (RAMP), now Rozsa Foundations of Arts Leadership, has seen well over 300 graduates in its fourteen years. Recently, we had the opportunity to undertake a data project that looked at participant program evaluations for RAMP from 2013 to 2025 – the discoveries were thrilling.

Anecdotally, we have always known that Foundations (RAMP) demonstrates significant impact on professional development and leadership capacity. It does this across three interconnected areas: personal growth, professional practice, and organizational or sectoral impact. Over the years, participant evaluations have consistently highlighted the program’s ability to strengthen leadership confidence and capacity; build practical management skills; and craft meaningful professional networks within the arts sector, all while generating tangible organizational outcomes. What was remarkable was seeing the collated data in black and white.

Based on responses to post-program surveys, 80% of respondents indicated gaining new management skills; 78% noted that they were immediately applying learning in their organizations or referenced a direct impact on their organization; and 43% of respondents indicated an increase in self-awareness.

Parsing the data for recurring themes led to fantastic storytelling offers. One of the most frequently cited benefits of the program is the opportunity for peer learning. Participants regularly describe the cohort model as one of the most valuable aspects of the experience, providing a space to share challenges, exchange ideas, and build relationships with colleagues across different organizations and disciplines. Many participants note that this sense of community helps reduce the isolation often experienced in leadership roles and creates an ongoing network of support within the sector.

Foundations provides participants with practical knowledge in areas such as governance, financial management, organizational strategy, and leadership practice. Participants report that these sessions help bridge gaps in formal management training and provide tools that can be immediately applied within their organizations.

The Capstone project is consistently identified as one of the most impactful components of the program. Participants describe the project as an opportunity to translate ideas into action and address real organizational challenges. In many cases, these projects have led to new strategic initiatives, operational improvements, or planning processes within their organizations. Nearly two-thirds of participants report that their Capstone project would not have happened, or would have taken a significantly different form, without the support provided by the program.

Ultimately, we learned that Foundations is not just a training program; it’s a sector infrastructure program, producing stronger, more resilient leaders, stronger organizations, and more robust sector relationships.

Applications for the next cohort of Rozsa Foundations of Arts Leadership are now open and are being accepted until Friday, June 26th, 2026.

The program begins September 16, 2026 and runs through April 7, 2027.

For more information, see our website: https://www.rozsafoundation.com/foundations26

Questions? Contact me at samantha@rozsafoundation.com.