Leadership Exchange in Arts and Disability (LEAD®)
Program Name
As an integral part of the Kennedy Center’s Access/VSA International Network, the Leadership Exchange in Arts and Disability (LEAD) program advances the full inclusion of people with disabilities in arts and culture. With a focus on expanding the breadth and scope of accessible programming, LEAD provides an opportunity for professionals in the field to develop best practices and resources; engage in conversations with colleagues and experts from around the world; and learn practical methods for designing inclusive arts experiences and environments.
About the LEAD® Conference
July 29-August 2, 2024
Seattle, Washington
The LEAD Conference not only introduces those new to the field to cultural accessibility solutions, but provides ongoing learning, support, camaraderie, and motivation—necessary fuel for anyone working to change the status quo. Join us for:
- One-of-a-kind professional development in an intimate, rich atmosphere. No other conference focuses on accessibility in cultural venues like LEAD.
- Access to ideas, experts and leading thinkers. Tap into the collective “brain trust” of arts managers from museums, theaters, parks, zoos, libraries, and other cultural venues from around the world.
- Networking opportunities to meet and mingle with colleagues from around the world in an open and safe forum.
- Practical information that can be implemented at your organization right away.
- Something for every arts and cultural administrator. LEAD has sessions and workshops for the more experienced and those just starting their accessibility and inclusion journey.
- Experiential opportunities to see accessibility in action in cultural settings through workshops and special events.
- Year-round connections. Continue the conversations, ask questions and explore solutions after the conference through the Access/VSA International Network.
The LEAD Conference provides professional development for leadership, mid-career, and new professionals working in:
- Accessibility and ADA/504 Administration
- Diversity, Equity, Access, and Inclusion
- Community Outreach, Education, and Engagement
- Box Office, Admissions, Sales and Marketing
- Visitor Services, Front of House and Customer Service Management
- Venue Operations, Facilities, Designers and Production
- Human Resources and Volunteer Management
- General Management and Administration
Learn More
Visit the LEAD 2024 Conference site for full details!
Additional Professional Learning Opportunities
LEAD® Research and Resources
The Kennedy Center and the VSA International Network offer numerous resources related to the Leadership Exchange in Arts and Disability (LEAD) program, including tip sheets, books, videos, and webinars.
Leadership Exchange in Arts and Disability Awards
The Kennedy Center Leadership Exchange in Arts and Disability (LEAD®) Awards recognize outstanding arts administrators and cultural arts organizations whose leadership and work furthers the field of accessibility. The goal in granting these awards is to increase awareness and focus on the importance of accessibility in artistic venues, cultural institutions, and natural history settings.
Awards for Emerging Leaders
The LEAD Award for Emerging Leaders acknowledges arts administrators who use what they learn at LEAD to advocate for accessibility within their own organizations and communities. These individuals successfully apply what they learn to open doors to and shape cultural arts opportunities that are inclusive of people with disabilities.
Criteria
Recipients must have attended the 2022 or 2023 LEAD conference and implemented a new access initiative or project as a direct result of their attendance. These new initiatives may include any efforts to improve accessibility, such as conducting a docent, staff, or volunteer accessibility training; providing materials in alternate formats; interpreting a lecture or performance; reviewing and revising organizational policies; forming an access advisory committee; etc.
Nominations
Nominations are now being accepted via the online portal, and the deadline to apply is April 1. To request the application in an alternate format or should you have any questions, please contact the Accessibility Office at 202-416-8727 or [email protected].
Community Asset Awards
The LEAD Community Asset Award recognizes the achievements of cultural arts administrators or organizations that continually demonstrate success with access initiatives, improving accessibility in their organization, city, state or region.
Criteria
Recipients must be an individual or team on staff at a cultural arts organization or a cultural arts organization that has demonstrated success improving or providing access for individuals with disabilities for a minimum of 5 years. The body of work will be a comprehensive accessibility initiative that recognizes the diversity within the disability community.
Nominations
Nominations are now being accepted via the online portal, and the deadline to apply is April 1. To request the application in an alternate format or should you have any questions, please contact the Accessibility Office at 202-416-8727 or [email protected].
Awards for Excellence in Accessibility Leadership
The LEAD Awards for Excellence in Accessibility Leadership recognize a lifetime of achievement in arts and accessibility.
Criteria
Recipients are selected for having sustained accessibility efforts over a significant period, demonstrating either an individual or an institutional commitment to the inclusion of all people with disabilities. This pertains to incorporating accessibility into organizational programs, projects, and environments. Other factors considered in selecting award winners are the breadth of impact and how the person or entity has served as a role-model or leader within the cultural arts community and in areas such as business, social service, and government.
Nominations
Nominations are now being accepted via the online portal, and the deadline to apply is April 1. To request the application in an alternate format or should you have any questions, please contact the Accessibility Office at 202-416-8727 or [email protected].
History of LEAD®
In 2000, a small group of cultural arts administrators gathered at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. to discuss institutional cultural arts and disability issues. Everyone shared one common goal: the desire to create accessible cultural arts programs that are inclusive of people with disabilities and older adults.
That initial group grew into the Leadership Exchange in Arts and Disability (LEAD) program, which focuses on expanding the breadth and scope of accessibility services and programming across the country and around the world.
In 2019, the LEAD® program became part of the VSA International Network – a larger initiative to connect a vibrant network of organizations and individuals working towards the full inclusion and participation of people with disabilities of all ages in artistic and cultural endeavors. Members receive a wealth of benefits, including members-only resources, free webinars, discounts to online learning courses, access to the LEAD Cultural Access listserv, and a discount on LEAD conference registration.
Founding Organizations:
- Accessible Arts Inc., represented by Martin English
- Arena Stage, represented by Jody Barasch
- ArtAbility, represented by Cindy Brown
- Arts For All, represented by Wendall Barnes
- Arvada Center, represented by Mickey McVey
- Center Stage represented by Michele Baylin and Mike Watson
- Cultural Access Consortium, represented by Judy Berk
- ELA Foundation, represented by Deborah Lewis
- Huntington Theatre, represented by Valerie Ching
- The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, represented by Bret Burzio, Michele Listisard, and Betty Siegel
- The Kentucky Center for the Arts, represented by Deborah Pennell
- Kravis Center, represented by Meri McGuiness and Vanessa Young
- Orange County Performing Arts Center, represented by Larry Stotz
- Oregon Shakespeare Festival, represented by Brian Kinsey
- Paper Mill Playhouse, represented by Michael Mooney
- Raleigh Little Theatre, represented by Sarah Corrin
- Raleigh Memorial Auditorium, represented by Bob Leyes
- Shakespeare Theatre, represented by Alicia Fansmith
About the Office of Accessibility and VSA
At the Office of Accessibility and VSA, we’re passionate about access to the arts for people with disabilities. To ensure the arts are accessible to all—from children to older adults—we make Kennedy Center performances and facilities accessible to all audiences, and provide resources, programs, and opportunities for educators, cultural administrators, emerging and professional artists and performers with disabilities.
Learn about our upcoming events, programs, resources, and opportunities at kennedy-center.org/vsa. Together we can be a catalyst for change.
Kennedy Center Education
Generous support for educational programs at the Kennedy Center is provided by the U.S. Department of Education.
Gifts and grants to educational programs at the Kennedy Center are provided by A. James & Alice B. Clark Foundation; Annenberg Foundation; the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation; Bank of America; Bender Foundation, Inc.; Carter and Melissa Cafritz Trust; Carnegie Corporation of New York; DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities; Estée Lauder; Flocabulary; Harman Family Foundation; The Hearst Foundations; the Herb Alpert Foundation; the Howard and Geraldine Polinger Family Foundation; William R. Kenan, Jr. Charitable Trust; the Kimsey Endowment; The King-White Family Foundation and Dr. J. Douglas White; Laird Norton Family Foundation; Lois and Richard England Family Foundation; Dr. Gary Mather and Ms. Christina Co Mather; Dr. Gerald and Paula McNichols Foundation; The Morningstar Foundation; The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation;
Music Theatre International; Myra and Leura Younker Endowment Fund; the National Endowment for the Arts; Newman’s Own Foundation; Nordstrom; Park Foundation, Inc.; Paul M. Angell Family Foundation; Prince Charitable Trusts; Soundtrap; The Harold and Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust; Rosemary Kennedy Education Fund; The Embassy of the United Arab Emirates; The Victory Foundation; The Volgenau Foundation; and Volkswagen Group of America. Additional support is provided by the National Committee for the Performing Arts.
The content of these programs may have been developed under a grant from the U.S. Department of Education but does not necessarily represent the policy of the U.S. Department of Education. You should not assume endorsement by the federal government.