Applicants are encouraged to apply from a wide range of institutions. The DeVos Institute has served more than 1,000 organizations from over 80 countries encompassing ‘traditional’ discipline producing and presenting organizations (in the fields of dance, music, theater, opera); museums and galleries; public festivals; community-based cultural centers; non-profit film and media practitioners; arts education providers and arts schools; historical societies and properties; libraries; public art agencies; and other non-profit adjacent activities such as botanical gardens, literary organizations, etc.
Designed for individuals who have dedicated themselves to management, rather than artistic leadership, the program supports leaders in positions of decision-making authority in developing, implementing, and refining organizational strategies over a three-year, cohort-based engagement.
The program emphasizes critical organizational capacities in long-term artistic planning, marketing, fundraising, board development, and financial management; while provoking broader questions of mission, relevance, impact, and the role of art – and the dialogue it provokes – as an instrument of peace.
Individuals typically engage in the Fellowship at point of inflection in their career, where an infusion of strategic training, mentorship, peer learning, and reflection is necessary to advance both their work in the organization and their role as a leader in their field. Past Fellows have come from a range of backgrounds – many are founders and executive directors of their own organizations which they have grown to a point of maturity, while others are new or established leaders within iconic institutions or contemporary platforms. All Fellows share a deep commitment to the role of arts, culture, and creative practice in their respective societies and an inquisitiveness that drives them to engage deeply in the immersive and collaborative environment. On average, Fellows bring 10-20 years of professional experience to reflect upon.
