Application Due By: July 26, 2021 no later than 5:00 p.m. For questions contact us at AEO@santa-clarita.com or call (661) 250-3787

Note: Due to COVID-19, those accepted to CREATIVE Connection: Leadership Training and Placement Program will participate in online sessions untill further notice.

CREATIVE Connection is a nine-month program and will be held from September 2021 to May 2022. Program sessions for Arts Nonprofit Partners will take place quarterly and a culmination event will take place on Friday, May 20, 2022.

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Please save the following dates before applying to CREATIVE Connection:
Workshop 1 – Fundamentals of Grant Writing
October 6, 2021 | Time: TBD

Create & Connect (Optional Special Event)
Friday, October 22, 2021

Workshop 2 – Mastering Your Mission Statement
January 19, 2022 | Time TBD

Create & Connect (Optional Special Event)
Friday, February 4, 2022

Workshop 3 – Effective Orientation Tools
April 20, 2022 | Time: TBD

Session 9 – Friday, May 20, 2022
Fellows & Art Nonprofit Partner Match Night (Culmination Event)

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Nonprofit Board Meeting Observations
As a part of the program, CREATIVE Connection fellows will attend at least one board meeting with two different Arts Nonprofit Partners — as observers, not participants — to allow them to see how different boards function. Arts Nonprofit Partners are expected to conduct an efficient, interesting and productive meeting whenever a fellow is in attendance, as a helpful “tool” for fellows considering board service. In the end, Fellows should be sure that how you run your meetings is one of the strong assets of your organization. Remember, boards add true value during the meetings where important decisions are made.

Applying the knowledge gained in CREATIVE Connection, fellows will write a one-to-two-page, single-spaced memo to your organization based on their board meeting experience and discuss actionable recommendations for the Arts Nonprofit Partner to take that will better improve their mission and build their organizational capacity. Fellows must consider how the Arts Nonprofit will benefit from the desired actions and how the fellow might volunteer their skills to make those actions easier.

Criteria for Arts Nonprofit Partners Board Meeting:
*   Provide dates and times to at least three board meetings for fellows to attend.
*   Prepare the board for the Fellow’s attendance at the selected board meeting. You will be notified when a fellow has selected to attend your board meeting
*   Formally invite the fellow to the selected board meeting. The CREATIVE Connection program coordinator will help facilitate an introduction.
*   Help orient the fellow to the workings of the board and your nonprofit’s mission and provide the fellow with a board meeting agenda, post-meeting notes, etc.
*   Introduce the fellow to the board and conduct an efficient, interesting and productive meeting whenever a fellow is in attendance.

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Nonprofit Board Match Night
The objective of CREATIVE Connection is to recruit and train leaders to serve as potential board members. The Nonprofit Board Match Night takes place before graduation to provide an opportunity for CREATIVE Connection fellows to connect and match with Arts Nonprofit Partner organizations whose mission best match their personal interests.

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Applicant Eligility Requirements
Arts Nonprofit Partners Must:
*   Actively participate in each aspect of CREATIVE Connection for the duration of the program
*   Devote the time and resources necessary to complete the program and participate to the best of their abilities
*   Commit to attending every CREATIVE Connection session
*   Be available to attend the Nonprofit Board Match Night.
*   Have a strong approach to board recruitment and formal orientation program for new board members.