Nominations
How to Nominate a Candidate
Nominations for Class 2 are now open. We are seeking 20–22 arts and culture leaders from around the world who have achieved significant success in their fields and are ready to learn alongside peers and explore how they can use their platforms, creativity, and unique leadership abilities to contribute to a better future.
To nominate a candidate, put them forward for consideration through the Fellowship Nomination Form. We are accepting submissions now through November 3. Within the Nomination Form, nominators are asked to reflect on their candidate’s leadership journey, desire to broaden their impact, and what makes them an ideal candidate for this Fellowship opportunity.
Please be prepared to include your candidate’s resume or bio. You may also attach a letter of recommendation sharing more about your candidate and why this experience is the right one for them at this time in their life. Candidates must be nominated by a third party; self-nominations will not be considered. Individuals interested in being considered should identify a nominator to put them forward.
Candidate Confirmation
Once a nomination is submitted, a Confirmation Form will be sent directly to the candidate for their completion. Nominees must confirm that they accept their nomination as well as affirm they can attend all four seminar dates before their nomination is confirmed.
Please help us streamline this process and ensure your nominees can commit to all four seminar dates before you submit a nomination:
- Seminar 1: September 26-October 1, 2027
- Seminar 2: June 4-10, 2028
- Seminar 3: February 25-March 2 or March 11-16, 2029 – Choose from multiple Leading in a Global Context Seminars in various locations with other Fellows across the Aspen Global Leadership Network
- Seminar 4: September 16-21, 2029
Candidates must complete the Confirmation Form in order to be officially considered for the program.
About Selection
The Aspen Institute and the Eisner Foundation will review all candidates and invite the strongest candidates for the next class to interview. Because of the volume of nominations, not all candidates will be asked to interview. This is not a reflection of the candidates potential and leadership ability, simply about readiness and fit for this fellowship experience.
Please note that nomination, nor an interview, is a guarantee of selection. Final selection is based on several factors, including demonstrated success, bold vision, and leadership potential. The strength of the program comes from assembling a wide range of perspectives in the room across lived experience.
We aim to assemble an intergenerational, global mix of leaders across the arts ecosystem. Because of this mosaic approach, some candidates may simply not be the right fit for the next classes’s mosaic. We keep all candidates’ information on file for consideration for future opportunities across the Aspen Institute ecosystem.
“This program put me in a room with leaders from across the arts and completely changed how I see my own place within that larger community. I realized I had been thinking too narrowly about who was asking the same questions I was. I left with a new group of colleagues and friends to deepen a practice of changing the world.”
— Shanta Thake, EVP, Ehrenkranz Chief Artistic Officer, Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts
Nomination FAQs
WHAT ARE WE LOOKING FOR
Who is the ideal candidate?
We are looking for accomplished arts leaders who have achieved considerable success in their careers and are ready to explore how their creativity and leadership can contribute to addressing society’s greatest challenges.
Ideal Fellows will come from across the arts ecosystem, including leaders who:
- Make art such as artists, performers, writers, designers, and architects.
- Create conditions for art to be made such as producers, agents, financiers, and curators.
- Bring art to the world such as museum directors, gallery owners, media executives, philanthropists, and cultural commentators.
Candidates should demonstrate boldness, vision, and a clear capacity to influence others through their work. The program seeks a diverse, intergenerational, and global class that reflects a range of disciplines, experiences, and perspectives.
COMMITMENT
What do you expect from Fellows?
We are looking for accomplished arts leaders who have achieved considerable success The Fellowship requires each Fellow to commit fully to the program’s four in-person seminars held over two years, with each seminar lasting approximately one week.
Beyond attending the seminars, Fellows are expected to actively participate in discussions, engage with peers, and contribute to a collaborative environment grounded in trust and shared purpose.
All Fellows also commit to a journey of impact that puts their leadership into action on our greatest challenges.
Participation is provided at no cost to Fellows or their organizations. Through the generosity of the Eisner Foundation costs including seminar tuition, materials, and lodging are covered. Fellows are responsible only for their travel and incidental expenses.
THE EXPERIENCE
I’m new to the Aspen Institute’s work. Can you share more about what the Fellowship experience – particularly seminars – are like?
Each seminar is a multi-day, in-person gathering that brings the Fellows together — no partners or outside guests. Seminars are grounded in the Aspen Institute’s signature method: small-group, text-based dialogue led by a trained moderator, where Fellows read and discuss works by philosophers, artists, writers, and leaders across history and use them as a lens to examine their own values, decisions, responsibilities, and visions as leaders.
This is not a lecture series or a networking retreat — it’s a structured space for candid reflection and honest dialogue among peers.
Over the course of the four seminars, Fellows move from examining leadership itself, to articulating their vision for a better society, to grappling with global perspectives beyond their own, and finally to translating what they’ve learned into a concrete commitment to action.
PARTICIPATION
Is there flexibility in the requirement that the Fellow attend every seminar from start to finish?
Fellows must attend all four seminars in full to complete the program. The experience is intentionally designed as a shared journey, and full participation is essential to maintaining the trust, reflection, and continuity that define the Aspen Fellowship model.
Because of this, those unable to commit to the full seminar schedule will not be considered for the current class but may be eligible for nomination in future cycles.
Seminar Dates:
- Seminar 1: September 26 – October 1, 2027
- Seminar 2: June 4-10, 2028
- Seminar 3: February 25-March 2 OR March 11-16, 2029 (Choose from multiple Leading in a Global Context Seminars in various locations with other Fellows across the AGLN)
- Seminar 4: September 16-21, 2029
THE GLOBAL NETWORK
What is the Aspen Global Leadership Network (AGLN)?
The AGLN is a worldwide community of more than 4,200 leaders across 60+ countries who have completed one of the AGLN’s 16+ affiliated fellowship programs. Fellows bring experience from across business, technology, public service, health, the arts, and other fields. What connects our community is a shared commitment to leadership in service of others and their communities.
Upon completion of the Michael D. Eisner Arts and Culture Fellowship, Fellows become members of AGLN for life, with opportunities to participate in convenings, build relationships across sectors and geographies, and collaborate with leaders from throughout the network. They join a community of supportive peers grounded in reflection, purpose, and a commitment to translating values into action.
“I have never been in a room with such an accomplished and diverse group of people who were also so at ease sharing their perspectives openly and sincerely. What stayed with me was the thought and sincerity everyone brought to the experience and how quickly that created real connection. In all the leadership programs I’ve experienced, this one stands apart.”
— Moses Babatope, CEO, The Nile Media Entertainment Group
Questions?
Contact the Michael D. Eisner Arts and Culture Fellowship team.
