The Michael D. Eisner Arts & Culture Fellowship is a two-year leadership program for accomplished arts and culture leaders from around the world who are ready to expand their influence and use their creative platforms to contribute to society. The fellowship is a partnership between the Aspen Global Leadership Network and the Aspen Institute Arts Program, with support from the Eisner Foundation.
The program brings together leaders working across the global arts ecosystem, including artists, filmmakers, performers, writers, producers, cultural executives, curators, financiers, and other professionals who help create, support, distribute, or shape cultural work. Fellows participate in four immersive seminars over approximately two years, engage in moderated dialogue with peers, explore questions of leadership and social impact, and develop an impact journey connected to the challenges they want to address.
For Class 2, nominations are currently open, with submissions accepted through November 3, 2026. Importantly, this is a nomination-based opportunity rather than a self-application program: interested candidates must identify a third-party nominator who can put them forward.
What Is the Michael D. Eisner Arts & Culture Fellowship?
The Michael D. Eisner Arts & Culture Fellowship was created to support arts and cultural leaders who have already achieved meaningful success in their respective fields and are reaching a point where they want to translate that success into broader societal impact.
Rather than focusing only on artistic achievement or professional advancement, the fellowship asks participants to consider a broader leadership question: How can people working in the arts use their creativity, platforms, networks, and leadership abilities to contribute to a better future?
According to the Aspen Institute, the fellowship is designed for global arts leaders who are ready to move from success in their fields toward significant impact. It recognizes that arts and culture can influence how societies understand themselves, imagine their futures, communicate ideas, and respond to major social challenges.
The fellowship brings together an intergenerational group of approximately 20–22 leaders for the second class. Participants come from different areas of the arts and cultural ecosystem, allowing the program to create a multidisciplinary environment where creative professionals can learn from people working in different fields and generations.
Who Is the Fellowship Designed For?
The Michael D. Eisner Arts & Culture Fellowship is intended for accomplished arts and culture leaders who have demonstrated significant success in their careers and are ready to explore how their leadership and creativity can contribute to addressing wider societal challenges.
The Aspen Institute describes three broad groups of leaders the fellowship seeks to bring together.
1. Leaders Who Make Art
This group includes people directly involved in creating artistic work, such as:
- Artists
- Performers
- Writers
- Designers
- Painters
- Dancers
- Architects
- Other creative practitioners
These individuals use their creative practices to tell stories, explore ideas, challenge assumptions, preserve culture, and influence how people understand the world.
2. Leaders Who Create the Conditions for Art
The fellowship also recognizes people who may not personally create the final artistic work but play an important role in making artistic production possible.
This can include:
- Producers
- Agents
- Financiers
- Curators
- Academics
- Artist residency directors
- Cultural managers
- Other arts-support professionals
These professionals help provide the resources, structures, opportunities, institutions, and environments that allow artists and cultural practitioners to develop and share their work.
3. Leaders Who Bring Art to the World
The third group consists of professionals who help determine how art reaches audiences and how cultural ideas circulate through society.
Examples include:
- Studio executives
- Gallery owners
- Museum directors and curators
- Magazine editors
- Film festival executives
- Media executives
- Cultural commentators
- Philanthropists
- Other cultural leaders who build audiences and shape public discourse
The Aspen Institute says candidates should demonstrate boldness, vision, and the capacity to influence others through their work. The program also aims to create a diverse, intergenerational, and global cohort representing different disciplines, experiences, and perspectives.
What Does the Fellowship Offer?
The fellowship is structured as a two-year leadership experience consisting of four major seminars.
Across the program, Fellows participate in approximately 25 days of programming distributed across the four seminars. Each seminar is an immersive, approximately week-long experience designed around reflection, peer exchange, dialogue, and leadership development.
The seminars use the Aspen Institute’s text-based dialogue approach. Rather than functioning as a conventional lecture or classroom program, the experience encourages Fellows to engage deeply with ideas, readings, other participants, and questions about their own leadership.
Participants explore issues including:
- Leadership and personal values
- The responsibilities that accompany influence
- The role of arts and culture in society
- How creative leaders can contribute to social change
- Different perspectives on major global challenges
- How leaders can translate their values into action
- How creative platforms can be used for meaningful impact
The fellowship therefore goes beyond professional networking. It is structured around reflection and dialogue intended to help participants examine their leadership roles and determine how they can apply their influence to broader challenges.
Fellowship Seminar Schedule
Candidates for Class 2 must be able to attend all four seminars in full.
The current seminar schedule published by the Aspen Institute is:
- Seminar 1: September 26–October 1, 2027
- Seminar 2: June 4–10, 2028
- Seminar 3: February 25–March 2, 2029, or March 11–16, 2029
- Seminar 4: September 16–21, 2029
The third seminar offers participants a choice between two dates associated with Leading in a Global Context seminars in different locations.
Because full participation is an important part of the fellowship experience, candidates who cannot commit to attending all four seminars are not considered for the current class.
Where Will the Fellowship Take Place?
The fellowship experience includes seminars at the Aspen Meadows campus in Colorado, as well as other cultural hubs.
This means Fellows should be prepared for an international, in-person leadership experience involving travel to seminar locations.
The program is intentionally designed to bring participants together physically for extended periods of dialogue, reflection, collaboration, and peer learning.
Is the Michael D. Eisner Arts & Culture Fellowship Fully Funded?
Yes. Participation in the fellowship is provided at no cost to Fellows or their organizations.
The Eisner Foundation funds the program, covering:
- Seminar tuition
- Program materials
- Lodging
Fellows are responsible for their travel to and from seminar locations and incidental expenses. The Aspen Institute also notes that limited assistance may be available to help offset travel costs in special circumstances.
Therefore, although this is often described as a fully funded fellowship, applicants should understand the distinction between the costs covered by the program and expenses that remain the responsibility of Fellows.
What Happens After Completing the Fellowship?
One of the significant long-term components of the program is membership in the Aspen Global Leadership Network (AGLN).
Upon completing the Michael D. Eisner Arts & Culture Fellowship, Fellows become lifelong members of the AGLN. The Aspen Institute describes the network as a global community of more than 4,200 leaders across more than 60 countries.
Membership can provide an opportunity to remain connected to other leaders across sectors and geographical regions after the fellowship itself has ended.
The network includes leaders working in areas such as:
- Arts and culture
- Business
- Technology
- Public service
- Health
- Other professional and social-impact fields
The fellowship therefore extends beyond the two-year program itself, with participants becoming part of a broader leadership community.
What Kind of Leaders Is the Aspen Institute Looking For?
The program is not simply looking for people who have worked in the arts. It is looking for people who have demonstrated significant success and leadership and who are prepared to think about how their influence can be used more broadly.
According to the current nomination information, strong candidates should demonstrate:
- Significant professional achievement
- Leadership experience
- Boldness
- Vision
- The ability to influence others
- A desire to broaden their impact
- A willingness to engage deeply with other leaders
- A commitment to addressing major societal challenges
- The ability to participate fully in the two-year fellowship experience
The program is also intentionally designed to create a cohort with different generations, disciplines, experiences, and perspectives.
How Does the Nomination Process Work?
A particularly important detail for prospective candidates is that the Michael D. Eisner Arts & Culture Fellowship does not accept self-nominations.
Candidates must be nominated by a third party.
Therefore, someone interested in being considered for Class 2 should first identify an appropriate person who can nominate them.
The nomination process involves several stages.
Step 1: Identify a Nominator
Interested candidates should find a person who knows their work and can credibly speak about their leadership, achievements, potential, and desire to expand their impact.
The candidate cannot submit the nomination themselves.
Step 2: Submit the Nomination
The nominator submits the candidate through the official Fellowship Nomination Form.
Nominators are asked to reflect on:
- The candidate’s leadership journey
- Their desire to broaden their impact
- Why they would be a strong candidate for the fellowship
Nominators should also be prepared to provide the candidate’s resume or biography.
A recommendation letter may also be attached to explain why the fellowship is appropriate for the candidate at this stage of their career.
Step 3: Candidate Confirmation
After a nomination is submitted, a Confirmation Form is sent directly to the nominee.
The nominee must:
- Confirm that they accept the nomination
- Confirm their ability to attend all four seminars
- Complete the Confirmation Form
Only after this confirmation is the nomination officially considered.
Step 4: Review and Interviews
The Aspen Institute and the Eisner Foundation review the nominations.
Selected candidates may then be invited to an interview.
However, the Aspen Institute makes clear that being nominated or interviewed does not guarantee selection. Final selection takes several factors into account, including demonstrated success, bold vision, leadership potential, and the overall composition of the cohort.
Michael D. Eisner Arts & Culture Fellowship Deadline
For Class 2, nominations are currently open through:
November 3, 2026
Candidates interested in being considered should therefore identify a third-party nominator and ensure that the nomination is submitted before the deadline.
The official Aspen Institute nomination page confirms that submissions are being accepted through November 3.
What Happened With the First Class?
The first class of the Michael D. Eisner Arts & Culture Fellowship was introduced on March 26, 2026, through a collaboration involving the Aspen Global Leadership Network, the Aspen Institute Arts Program, and the Eisner Foundation.
The inaugural class included 26 leaders across the arts, representing fields such as:
- Film
- Theater
- Music
- Visual art
- Publishing
- Arts education
The first cohort included a range of creative and cultural professionals, including studio and streaming executives, gallery founders, musicians, playwrights, museum and arts-education leaders, artists, and performers. The Aspen Institute says the Fellows were united by a commitment to using their platforms to contribute to a better world.
The first class provides an indication of the breadth of professional backgrounds represented within the fellowship.
Why the Fellowship Is Relevant to Arts and Cultural Leadership
The fellowship reflects a broader understanding of what leadership in the arts can mean.
Arts and cultural leaders can influence society through more than their individual creative work. Their influence can extend through:
- Storytelling
- Film and television
- Music
- Theater
- Visual arts
- Publishing
- Museums
- Cultural institutions
- Media
- Creative businesses
- Arts education
- Public cultural discourse
For leaders who already have an established platform, the fellowship provides a structured environment to think about how that platform can be connected to wider societal challenges.
The program’s emphasis on an impact journey means Fellows are expected not simply to discuss leadership but to apply their leadership to meaningful challenges.
Who Should Consider Seeking a Nomination?
The opportunity may be relevant to established professionals such as:
- Filmmakers
- Film and television executives
- Directors
- Producers
- Musicians
- Performers
- Writers
- Designers
- Visual artists
- Theater professionals
- Cultural entrepreneurs
- Arts educators
- Museum leaders
- Gallery leaders
- Curators
- Publishing professionals
- Media executives
- Cultural commentators
- Arts philanthropists
- Creative-sector academics
- Other established arts and cultural leaders
The key consideration is not simply having an artistic profession. Candidates are expected to have achieved considerable success and to be ready to explore how their leadership, creativity, and influence can contribute to broader societal challenges.
How to Nominate
To nominate a candidate, visit the official NOMINATION FORM HERE, provide the requested information about the candidate, and submit the nomination before November 3, 2026.
Key Benefits of the Michael D. Eisner Arts & Culture Fellowship
The fellowship offers several important components for selected participants.
1. Fully Funded Program Participation
Seminar tuition, materials, and lodging are covered through the Eisner Foundation’s support.
2. Two Years of Leadership Development
Participants engage in a structured two-year experience rather than a short workshop or one-time conference.
3. International Peer Community
Fellows interact with arts and cultural leaders from different countries, generations, disciplines, and professional backgrounds.
4. Leadership Reflection
The Aspen Institute’s dialogue-based model gives participants an opportunity to examine their values, leadership responsibilities, and visions for society.
5. Impact Journey
Fellows commit to applying their leadership to significant challenges rather than limiting the experience to professional development.
6. Lifelong AGLN Membership
Successful Fellows who complete the program become lifelong members of the Aspen Global Leadership Network.
7. Cross-Sector Connections
The wider AGLN community brings together leaders from arts and culture alongside professionals from other sectors, potentially creating opportunities for broader collaboration and exchange.
Important Things Applicants and Nominators Should Know
Before pursuing the opportunity, prospective candidates should pay attention to several important conditions.
First, self-nomination is not permitted. A third party must nominate the candidate.
Second, candidates must be prepared for a long-term commitment. The program lasts two years and includes four in-person seminars.
Third, attendance is important. Fellows must attend all four seminars in full to complete the program.
Fourth, the fellowship is not simply a networking program. Its structure emphasizes text-based dialogue, reflection, leadership development, peer exchange, and an impact journey.
Fifth, the program covers major participation costs but not everything. Travel to and from seminar locations and incidental expenses remain the responsibility of Fellows, although limited travel assistance may be available in special circumstances.
Finally, nomination does not guarantee selection. Candidates go through a competitive review process, and interviews may form part of the selection process.
Michael D. Eisner Arts & Culture Fellowship 2026: Key Details at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Program | Michael D. Eisner Arts & Culture Fellowship |
| Organizer | Aspen Institute / Aspen Global Leadership Network |
| Partner | Eisner Foundation |
| Duration | Two years |
| Cohort size | Approximately 20–22 leaders for Class 2 |
| Focus | Arts, culture, leadership and societal impact |
| Geographic scope | Global |
| Application route | Third-party nomination |
| Self-nomination | Not accepted |
| Program format | Four in-person seminars |
| Approximate program time | About 25 days across four seminars |
| Tuition | Covered |
| Materials | Covered |
| Lodging | Covered |
| Travel | Generally the Fellow’s responsibility |
| Deadline | November 3, 2026 |
| Completion benefit | Lifelong Aspen Global Leadership Network membership |
Click HERE for more information about Michael D. Eisner Arts & Culture Fellowship 2026
How to Prepare for a Nomination
Prospective candidates should consider preparing a strong professional profile before approaching a potential nominator.
Useful materials may include:
- An updated CV or professional biography highlighting major achievements.
- A clear leadership narrative explaining how the candidate has influenced their field.
- Evidence of professional success, such as major productions, exhibitions, publications, organizations founded, awards, audiences reached, or other significant achievements.
- A clear explanation of broader impact, particularly how the candidate’s work contributes to communities or society.
- A vision for future leadership, explaining the challenges the candidate wants to address.
- A strong explanation of why the fellowship is relevant at this stage of their career.
- Confirmation of availability for all four scheduled seminars.
These materials can help a potential nominator understand the candidate’s journey and explain why the person should be considered for the fellowship.
Conclusion
The Michael D. Eisner Arts & Culture Fellowship is a two-year leadership experience designed for accomplished arts and culture professionals who want to explore how their creative work, platforms, and leadership can contribute to broader societal impact.
The fellowship brings together a global and intergenerational group of leaders working across the arts ecosystem, from artists and performers to producers, cultural executives, curators, media leaders, and other professionals who influence how art is created and experienced.
For Class 2, nominations are open through November 3, 2026, and interested individuals cannot nominate themselves. They must identify a third-party nominator who can put them forward and speak to their leadership journey, achievements, vision, and potential for broader impact.
The program provides tuition, materials, and lodging, while Fellows generally cover their own travel and incidental expenses. Participants who complete the fellowship become lifelong members of the Aspen Global Leadership Network, extending the leadership community beyond the two-year fellowship experience.
For established arts and cultural leaders seeking an opportunity centered on leadership, reflection, peer dialogue, global perspectives, and social impact, the Michael D. Eisner Arts & Culture Fellowship provides a structured platform for examining how creative leadership can be translated into meaningful action.
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