SVMindshare

Big Ideas, Deep Dives

SVMindshare is a new kind of roundtable that enlightens, inspires, and encourages. One that offers outside expertise and practical tools and strategies for the issues most relevant to your work. Leaders in the arts need dedicated time to reflect and recharge with their peers in the field. SVMindshare meets regularly in small group discussion sessions to dive deep into the most pressing questions facing the cultural sector today. Over the course of the series, arts leaders develop invaluable new networks, a better understanding of challenges across artistic disciplines, and increased confidence in their own leadership capacity.

What We Do

We facilitate a series of roundtable conversations devoted to high-level topics affecting cultural leaders' work, calling, and industry, including strategic planning, success metrics, work and life balance, best practices, and arts advocacy.

Who We Serve

• Management-level nonprofit arts leaders (staff or board) seeking to strengthen their peer network and to play a role in the greater Santa Clara County arts community
• Collaborative thinkers committed to a culture of learning and sharing
• Preference given to representatives of current or recent SVCREATES grantee partners

Why It’s Important

As established creative sector leaders retire and the arts nonprofit model is challenged by the forces of digital culture, demographic shifts, and the changing nature of “creative consumption,” it is vital to leverage local talent, prepare the sector for the next generation of audiences, navigate new economic realities, and bridge the past with the future. The critical role the arts play in our local communities has never been more evident, and an activated network of leaders with a common language will provide voice and visibility to the sector.

What’s Been Done

• • Completed six-year-long series of SVMindshare
  • Served over 60 local arts leaders from a diverse range of backgrounds and artistic disciplines throughout Santa Clara County. 
  • Enabled the formation of deep relationships, collaborative programming,  advocacy, and peer support during challenging times and triumphs.

  What’s Next

  • Applications are now open for the 2024-25 SVMindshare program. Preview the application in the sidebar to the right or click the Apply button to get started. The application deadline is August 9, 2024. The 2024-25 program will include five lunchtime meetings between September 2024 and May 2025. All sessions will meet in person in San Jose. Dates are listed on the application.
  • This program is an opportunity to step away from your day-to-day work and commit time to your leadership growth. Participants will be expected to leave their work behind and come prepared to be present and engaged.
  • Contact Alyssa Erickson, SVCREATES Program Director, with any questions: alyssae@svcreates.org 

SVMindshare 2023-24 Cohort

SVMindshare Alums (2017-2022)

Application Preview