Sphinx Organization Launches New Leadership Program

The Sphinx Organization, whose programs reach more than 100,000 students and artists annually, is inaugurating a new, two-year leadership program for Black and Latinx arts leaders. Each year Sphinx LEAD (Leaders in Excellence, Arts, and Diversity) will select a class of ten aspiring leaders from around the U.S. who will “design a growth plan, receive ongoing personalized coaching and mentorship, and attend leadership retreats.” A stipend will underwrite each participant’s expenses.

The program, which launches in January, is open to individuals ranging from early- to advanced-career status. “We may even see highly experienced applicants who are looking to make a change,” wrote a Sphinx spokesperson in an email. Application deadline is November 26,  2018.

Four leadership retreats will enable participants to interact and network with experts and industry leaders. These quarterly events are scheduled for Detroit, New York City at The Juilliard School, in Cleveland at the Cleveland Institute of Music, and in Miami at New World Symphony.

Sphinx’s Medal of Excellence winner Stanford Thompson, founder and executive director of the much-lauded Play On, Philly! program, will serve as dean of Sphinx LEAD.  Sphinx founder Aaron P. Dworkin, professor of arts leadership and entrepreneurship at the University of Michigan, will act as he senior advisor.

Thompson and Dworkin are currently recruiting faculty and an advisory team. The program is small enough to create a curriculum for each individual.

Interested individuals can apply at SphinxLEAD.org.

Pictured: Stanford Thompson