Leadership Arts Institute
Business Council for the Arts (BCA) founded the Leadership Arts Institute (LAI) more than 30 years ago to develop nonprofit arts leadership skills, support career growth, and connect professionals across diverse industries to address challenges facing North Texas arts and cultural nonprofits.
Impact of Leadership Arts Institute
LAI Alumni have been placed on the boards of arts nonprofits in North Texas and around the country
Business Council for the Arts Leadership Arts Institute graduates
Companies in North Texas have participated in LAI
Program Details for Potential LAI Applicants
Leadership Arts Institute brings together professionals from diverse industries and offers a powerful platform to explore how arts board service can strengthen leadership, broaden networks, and even shape careers. Participants hear directly from area business leaders who have found personal meaning and professional growth through board service, as well as from nonprofit arts leaders who share firsthand perspectives on the challenges and opportunities facing the cultural sector.
The 2025–2026 Leadership Arts Institute runs from August 2025 to May 2026. The LAI selection committee reviews each application based on several criteria, including demonstrated leadership potential, commitment to the arts, and the value of diverse professional experiences within the cohort.
LAI sessions are held in person at nonprofit arts organizations throughout Dallas. Each session focuses on a core topic—such as board roles and responsibilities, arts advocacy, and nonprofit financials—and is led by arts executive directors, board members, and industry experts. In addition to monthly sessions, participants are invited to several social and networking events, culminating in BCA’s annual board match event, Building Arts & Leadership.
Program Costs:
BCA Members: $2,250
Non-BCA Members: $2,850
Applications are due by August 8, 2025. Submit your application today!
Recognizing Companies Committed to Arts Leadership by Participating in LAI
Experience Career and Personal Growth with LAI
LAI is a unique opportunity for personal growth, career advancement, and community impact:
- Expand your leadership capacity in a dynamic, purpose-driven setting
- Learn and apply best practices in nonprofit board governance through hands-on experience
- Build relationships with influential business and civic leaders committed to the arts
- Gain access to tools and frameworks that drive creativity, innovation, and data-driven decision-making
- Grow your cross-industry network with professionals from across the North Texas region
- Explore leading arts and cultural venues and hear directly from their visionary leaders
Build and Grow Leaders in Your Organization
Sponsoring a team member in LAI delivers long-term value to your business and the community:
- Develop leadership skills in high-potential employees through experiential learning
- Align your brand with the region’s top business and civic leaders advocating for the arts
- Boost employee engagement, retention, and satisfaction by investing in personal growth
- Strengthen your team’s strategic thinking and problem-solving through cross-sector exposure
- Elevate your company’s reputation as a champion for arts, culture, and community development
- Foster collaborative opportunities that can lead to meaningful innovation
- Demonstrate leadership in sustaining North Texas’ vibrant creative economy
Board Placement
Graduates of the Leadership Arts Institute have the opportunity for placement on a regional nonprofit board. BCA facilitates a matching process between individuals and arts organizations.
For Leadership Arts Graduates
LAI graduates interested in board placement, contact us to begin the process.
For Arts Organizations
If you are an arts organization seeking talented and qualified board members, please click below to submit an updated board profile.
Class Project: Leading with Impact
Each LAI class forms its own board and working committees to take on a real-world project for a local arts organization. This immersive experience allows participants to apply what they have learned in a live environment—developing solutions, collaborating across sectors, and delivering tangible value to the arts community in North Texas. It is a hands-on approach to leadership development with a lasting impact on both the participants and the nonprofits they serve.r