Michael D. Eisner Arts & Culture Fellowship 2027

The Michael D. Eisner Arts & Culture Fellowship 2027 is now accepting nominations for accomplished leaders working across the global arts and culture ecosystem. The fellowship is a partnership between the Aspen Global Leadership Network, Aspen Arts Program, and the Eisner Foundation, designed for established creative and cultural leaders who are ready to expand their influence and explore how their leadership can contribute to broader social impact.

The fellowship will bring together a cohort of 20 to 22 intergenerational leaders from around the world. Participants may include artists, performers, writers, designers, architects, producers, agents, financiers, curators, museum leaders, gallery owners, media executives, philanthropists, cultural commentators, and other professionals who shape how art is created, distributed, experienced, and discussed.

The two year fellowship provides an opportunity for participants to step back from their professional work, reflect on their leadership journeys, engage in meaningful dialogue with peers, and consider how their creativity, platforms, and professional influence can contribute to addressing major challenges facing society. The programme is built around immersive seminars and an impact journey that encourages Fellows to apply their leadership to issues they care about.

About the Fellowship

The Michael D. Eisner Arts & Culture Fellowship is a two year leadership experience for global arts and culture leaders who have achieved significant success in their fields and are at a point where they want to explore broader leadership and social impact.

The programme uses the Aspen Institute's established text based dialogue approach. Fellows participate in four immersive seminars, each lasting approximately one week, with approximately 25 days of total seminar participation. Sessions are designed to encourage reflection, dialogue, peer learning, and exploration of values based leadership.

The seminars for the 2027 cohort are scheduled as follows:

• Seminar 1: September 26 to October 1, 2027

• Seminar 2: June 4 to June 10, 2028

• Seminar 3: February 25 to March 2 or March 11 to March 16, 2029

• Seminar 4: September 16 to September 21, 2029

Seminars will take place at the Aspen Meadows campus in Colorado and other cultural hubs. The third seminar will involve a choice between available Leading in a Global Context seminars within the Aspen Global Leadership Network.

Following completion, Fellows become lifelong members of the Aspen Global Leadership Network, a global community of more than 4,000 leaders across more than 60 countries.

Fellowship Benefits

• Participation at no cost

• Seminar tuition covered

• Seminar materials covered

• Lodging during fellowship seminars covered

• Immersive week long leadership seminars

• Moderated dialogue with accomplished arts and culture leaders

• Intergenerational peer learning and networking

• Opportunities to reflect on leadership and personal impact

• Support for developing an impact journey

• Access to the Aspen Global Leadership Network after completion

• Membership in a global community of more than 4,000 leaders

• Potential limited assistance with travel costs in special circumstances

Fellowship Areas

The fellowship welcomes leaders from different parts of the arts and culture ecosystem, including:

• Artists and creators

• Performers

• Writers

• Designers and architects

• Producers and agents

• Arts financiers

• Curators

• Artist residency leaders

• Museum directors and cultural institution leaders

• Gallery owners

• Studio and media executives

• Film festival executives

• Magazine editors

• Philanthropists

• Cultural commentators

• Arts educators and academics

Eligibility Criteria

• Candidates should be accomplished leaders who have achieved significant success in their professional fields.

• Candidates should demonstrate boldness and vision through their work.

• Candidates should have a clear capacity to influence others through their professional or creative activities.

• Candidates should be ready to explore how their leadership can contribute to addressing major societal challenges.

• Applicants may come from different artistic disciplines, generations, professional backgrounds, and countries.

• Candidates should be able to attend all four scheduled seminars.

• Candidates must be nominated by a third party.

• Self nominations are not accepted.

• Candidates should be prepared to confirm their nomination and availability if selected for further consideration.

The programme particularly seeks a diverse and intergenerational cohort representing different disciplines, experiences, perspectives, and approaches to creative leadership.

Required Nomination Information

Nominators are asked to provide information that helps the selection team understand the candidate and their leadership journey.

• Candidate resume or professional biography

• Information about the candidate's leadership journey

• Explanation of the candidate's desire to broaden their impact

• Reasons the candidate would be a strong fit for the fellowship

• Letter of recommendation, where available

How to Apply

1. Identify an appropriate third party who knows your professional work and leadership journey.
2. Ask the individual to nominate you for the Michael D. Eisner Arts & Culture Fellowship 2027.
3. Provide the nominator with your current resume or professional biography and relevant information about your work and achievements.
4. Discuss your leadership journey, your desire to broaden your impact, and how your work could contribute to the fellowship's objectives.
5. The nominator should complete and submit the official Fellowship Nomination Form before November 3, 2026.
6. If nominated, monitor your email for the candidate confirmation form from the Aspen Institute.
7. Confirm that you accept the nomination and can attend all four required seminar dates.
8. Prepare for the subsequent selection process, which may include an interview.
9. Successful candidates will receive further information from the Aspen Institute and the Eisner Foundation regarding participation and programme arrangements.