The Global Executive Arts Management Fellowship

About the Open Call

The Global Executive Arts Management Fellowship is a high-intensity, three-year program led by DeVos Institute Founder & Chairman Michael M. Kaiser and President Brett Egan, serving executives of arts, culture, heritage, and humanities nonprofits worldwide. It provides training and guidance in strategic planning, leadership, fundraising, marketing, board governance, human resources, and financial planning, coupled with peer learning, networking, and time for personal reflection. Designed for leaders at critical career points, the program enables Fellows to develop, implement, and refine strategies for their current organizations through a curriculum grounded in The Institute’s "Cycle" management philosophy. This philosophy emphasizes the consistent production of bold, high-quality art/programming, aggressive marketing, cultivation of patrons and supporters, and fundraising to build and sustain organizational health. Fellows participate in seminars, case studies, strategic planning exercises, site visits, and independent/collective learning opportunities tailored to their cohort’s needs.

What is Offered

The program provides three sequential years of fully subsidized training, including air and ground transportation between the Fellowship residency location and the Fellow's state or country of residence, lodging during the Fellowship, per diem to cover living expenses, visa sponsorship for international applicants, and all program materials. Fellows engage in a high-intensity program focusing on strategic planning, leadership, fundraising, marketing, board governance, human resources, and financial planning, coupled with peer learning, networking, and time for personal reflection.

Requirements

Applicants must currently serve as the CEO, Executive Director, General Manager or similar in an arts, culture, heritage, or humanities nonprofit in a full-time, paid, and permanent capacity, reporting directly to the Board of Directors (or equivalent) or the CEO (or equivalent) with strategic responsibilities across all core functions. The applicant’s organization must have a minimum of three full-time staff members (or equivalent), three years of consistent programming history, and an operating budget of at least the equivalent of $250,000 USD/€220,000 EUR. Applicants must have an excellent command of business English, orally and written, and be able to commit to the full three-year term of the Fellowship, involving a four-week residency beginning in early July for three consecutive years (e.g., July 13 – August 7, 2026; July 12 – August 6, 2027; July 10 – August 4, 2028). This program is designed for executive, not artistic leadership; artistic and production directors without executive jurisdiction are not eligible, nor are professors, lecturers, or program directors of academic programs.

How to Apply

Applications are accepted through November 6, 2025, for the 2026-2028 cohort. Apply online via the provided link. For questions on eligibility, review the frequently asked questions section. For additional questions, please email fellowships@devosinstitute.net.