CO:LAB Partners with Hartford Foundation and Fathom on Catalyst for the Arts

• Individual Transformation: Each organization will create a strategic framing and implementation plan and develop tools to ensure that they are not just equipped for resiliency, but for growth.
• Collaborate like a Pro: CATALYST participants will be a part of developing an arts sector framework to dramatically increase collaboration for resource sharing, audience sharing, and ultimately for greater impact.
• Redefine the Nucleus of the Sector: Organizations will work together to develop insights, strategies, and tools to create a truly representative, self-running nucleus of impact in the region’s arts sector. The focus is not simply on diverse representation, it is also rooted in equitable influence.

“Fathom works with leaders to create conditions for unprecedented performance, and design futures that go beyond benchmarks of the past,” said Matt Reiniger, Associate Partner, Fathom. “We’re honored and excited to be a part of Catalyst for the Arts, where we’ll work directly with arts leaders to reimagine what’s possible and to create what’s needed to realize it.”

The program is seeking applicants representing small, medium and large arts organizations of various types to participate in the program. Up to 15 organizations will be selected to participate, based on a competitive application process. The fall program will feature six weekly 90-minute facilitated group sessions to establish new thinking and new connections to develop an influential collective of arts organizations and to inspire new possibilities for each organization.

Each organization’s team will consist of the Chief Executive, along with a key staff person or a board member who commit to fully participate in all aspects of the program. Organizations are expected to commit to centering racial and cultural equity during this program and beyond. Program participants must express a readiness and willingness to re-imagine their organization, audience, approaches and marketing strategies.

Participants will benefit from an executive coaching session to develop greater capacity to envision and implement new ways of activating their work. Organizations will hold ‘Deep Dive’ sessions with the trainers to create a plan that will identify the commitments, strategy, and implementation needed to catalyze their transformation.

“Against all conceivable obstacles, the nature of art is to find a way,” said Richard Hollant, founder of CO:LAB and Free Center. “That’s how I see hope. I couldn’t be more excited about the opportunity to work with our creative community, to uncover all the benefits at the intersection of hope and ingenuity, and to evolve the role of art in the reimagining of our region.”