Advocacy Leadership Institute (Due Sept. 30)
Advocacy Leadership Institute
Deadline: September 30th, 2026
Licensed from CreativeOhio, the Advocacy Leadership Institute (ALI) prepares leaders across Southwestern Pennsylvania’s arts and cultural community to advocate with clarity, credibility, and confidence, at both the local and state levels.
In 2026, ALI launches in the Greater Pittsburgh region for the first time. This inaugural cohort will help seed a growing network of advocacy champions who understand how policy decisions are shaped, how public funding flows, and how to stay meaningfully engaged in civic processes over time.
Advocacy isn’t a one-time action. It’s a sustained commitment, built on relationships, knowledge, and the courage to keep showing up.
The Advocacy Leadership Institute (ALI), developed by CreativeOhio, was created to build stronger, more confident advocates across the arts and cultural community.
When ALI is in session, participants come together once a month over six months for a cohort-based experience rooted in connection and real-world learning. The program blends expert guidance, peer exchange, and on-site exploration, giving participants practical tools, shared insight, and the relationships needed to advance meaningful advocacy in their communities.
The curriculum includes:
Legislative processes and how policy decisions happen
Public funding mechanisms and what influences them
Relationship-building with elected officials and community leaders
Strategies for building a culture of advocacy within organizations
Hands-on collaborative learning and topic-specific field trips
ALI is designed for established arts and cultural leaders and senior staff members of organizations who are ready to deepen their advocacy practice and join a growing statewide network of peers committed to lasting impact.
If you care about strengthening Greater Pittsburgh through arts, culture, and creativity, and want practical tools, trusted relationships, and the confidence to speak up effectively, ALI is built for you.
Applications are now open through September 30, 2026.
Tuition
Tuition: $300 for members, $600 for non-members
Scholarships: Available to ensure accessibility
Important Dates
Virtual Info Session: August 20, 2026, 9-10 a.m.
Applications open: July 23-September 30, 2026
Program sessions: Third Tuesday of each month, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., January–June 2027