Scott G Isakson once said, “The future of civilization as we know it depends upon our ability to respond effectively to change.”  Arts and cultural organizations can attest to the validity of this as they have charted a course over the past few years through a fluctuating philanthropic climate.

Last month among the red cliffs of Moab, a certification conference was held for the first graduates of The Change Leader Program.  Twenty-five arts administrators throughout the state of Utah became certified as Utah Arts Council recognized Change Leaders.  

The Change Leader Program was developed by the Utah Arts Council’s Community Development program to offer a professional development course that addresses leadership issues in relation to leading change.  This innovative training involves a five-day institute, a follow-up two-day session and continuing Change Leader conferences and seminars.  The goals of the program are to not only better equip arts and cultural leaders to deal with environmental changes that threaten the sustainability of their organizations and communities, but also to create a statewide mentoring network in the arts community. 

The following Leaders were certified in November, 2005:

Don Wilhelm and Anna Boulton, of the Utah Arts Council coordinated and instructed the program. For more information about this program, please call Anna Boulton (801) 236-7546 or email aboulton@utah.gov