REFLECT: Radical Empathy For Leaders:
Equity, Connection, and Time
The REFLECT program offers individuals who are community-focused cultural leaders a funded opportunity for a cohort-based learning experience to support, develop and enhance their leadership in the cultural sector. The selected participants will be engaged in a year-long process of learning, sharing, building, rethinking, and leading alongside a community of peers.
REFLECT is a joint initiative between The Cultch and the Greater Vancouver Professional Theatre Alliance (GVPTA), in collaboration with the City of Vancouver Cultural Services.
The Call for Expressions of Interest is now closed.
An info session was held to share more and answer questions about the program on April 17. View the recording here.
Click the headings below to jump to a section.
Who is this program for, and why now?
REFLECT is for underrepresented, equity-deserving individuals including Indigenous (First Nations, Métis, Inuit), Black, racialized, 2SLGBTQ+, Deaf, and disability communities, and/or those whose practice centres underrepresented and equity-deserving communities. The program is open to individuals within the arts and culture sector who are interested in (re)building community, sharing experiences, and learning together.
Leadership, for the purposes of this program, is broadly inclusive of individuals, regardless of age, who have demonstrated qualities and characteristics that inspire, engage, and empower others. Individuals do not need to have been the formal “leader” of an organization in order to apply.
As the past few years have been a period of disruption and isolation, or pause and discovery (or more likely, a combination of both) this program aims to create space for reflection and growth.
REFLECT is an opportunity for participants to explore an idea or research area related to their work or practice, share and learn within an intergenerational cohort, and contribute to their own leadership development.
Exploration will take on various forms based on the individual and their career aspirations. This may include but is not limited to, mentorship, self-directed study, public engagement, and practice-based research.
How will participants be selected?
Participants will be selected through a two-step application process. Step one is submitting an Expression of Interest. A shortlist of applicants will be selected from this pool and invited to an interview. All applicants invited to step two will receive remuneration.
Up to eight (8) participants will be selected.
Application Timeline
- May 1, 2023 at 4:00pm PDT - Expressions of interest closed
- May 23 - 31, 2023 - Interviews over Zoom
- Mid-June, 2023 - Selected participants will be notified
- Late June / Early July, 2023 - Online orientation session
- September, 2023 - Start of program
Program Time Commitment and Fee
- September, 2023: Opening session (5 hours)
- October, 2023 to May, 2024: Monthly meetings (3 hours each; alternating in-person and online)
- June, 2024: Closing session (5 hours)
- Optional activities between meetings.
- Participants will receive a fee of up to $12,000 for the duration of the program.
Eligibility
- Must live or work within the City of Vancouver, or be engaged with and have a direct impact on individuals or organizations within the City of Vancouver.
- Be available to attend in-person meetings throughout the program.
- Identify as an individual who is Indigenous (First Nations, Métis, Inuit), Black, racialized, 2SLGBTQ+, Deaf, and/or living with a disability; and/or whose practice centres equity-deserving and underrepresented communities.
- Open to individuals working or engaging in or with any arts or cultural discipline or practice, including artists and arts and culture workers.
Info Session Recording
On April 17, we held an info session to share the intention of the REFLECT program, provide a walkthrough of the program guidelines and expectations, Expression of Interest questions, and selection process, and to answer questions.
View the recording here or by clicking the video below.
ASL interpretation and captioning were provided.
Who do I contact if I have questions?
Feel free to contact any one of the follow program organizers:
- Kenji Maeda, GVPTA - kenji@gvpta.ca
- Heather Redfern & Nicole McLuckie, The Cultch - reflect@thecultch.com
- Joyce Rosario, City of Vancouver - joyce.rosario@vancouver.ca
Submit an Expression of Interest
Expressions of Interest are now closed.
REFLECT is a joint initiative between The Cultch and the Greater Vancouver Professional Theatre Alliance (GVPTA), in collaboration with the City of Vancouver Cultural Services.
