Mesa Arts Center’s Creative Catalysts initiative will accept applications to The Collective, a certificate program in creative leadership, October 1 through November 1, 2020. The Collective is a 12-week experiential program that builds leadership skills through creative thinking and practices. In the interactive, hands-on program, up to 24 participants will grow their leadership prowess through practicing collaboration, embracing and learning from failure, applying innovative thinking and improving mindfulness.

Now in its third year, The Collective has graduated 44 creative leaders from a variety of industries and backgrounds. “Our goal is to highlight the importance of creativity across industries,” said Jennifer Gastelum, program manager for The Collective and Creative Catalysts. “It is important to have conversations about the impact that creativity can have on the business sector, and that is more relevant now than ever before. As we manage the unprecedented challenges of 2020, it is the businesses and employees who can tap into their imaginations and creativity that will not only overcome these obstacles but grow and thrive in the face of them.

Objectives of the program include: providing participants with leadership opportunities experienced through a creative lens; offering personal growth opportunities; creating a network of peers to include collaborators and leaders from diverse sectors; and equipping participants with an enhanced skill set and tools to design, implement and sustain effective community development.

“Creative thinking, problem-solving and comfort with risk and experimentation are essential skills for leaders. Yet there are limited opportunities to develop those muscles and to explore creative tools that enhance success and build organizational culture. The Collective is just such an opportunity.” said Cindy Ornstein, Executive Director of Mesa Arts Center and Director of Arts and Culture for the City of Mesa.

The Creative Catalysts initiative is supported by Flinn Foundation. The Collective is also supported by CORE Construction.

More information available at http://www.mesaartscenter.com/thecollective. Mesa Arts Center is located at One East Main Street, Mesa, AZ, 85201.



By Kristin McLeod