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Creative Arkansas Community Hub & Exchange (CACHE) today announced the launch of its inaugural ARt Connect professional development program and its cohort of local arts and culture organizations.


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CACHE developed the two-year organizational development program in partnership with Mid-America Arts Alliance.

“Mid-America Arts Alliance is excited to partner with CACHE to empower organizations to strengthen the Northwest Arkansas arts ecosystem,” said Dr. Kheli Willetts, director of professional development for Mid-America Arts Alliance.

More than 15 organizations applied to be part of the initial cohort, and the following organizations were selected: 

Art Ventures

Arkansas Coalition of Marshallese

Arkansas Public Theatre

Latin Art Organization of Arkansas

Mount Sequoyah

Music Moves

NWA Ballet Theatre

Open Mouth Reading Series

Ra-Ve Cultural Foundation

Teen Action and Support Center

Participating organizations will work with a professional development coach to address governance, finance and community engagement. They will have access to monthly workshops on these topics with their cohort as well as regular mentorship to support their organization’s growth and development.

“The connections forged over the two years of this organizational development will help catalyze long-lasting change,” said Kelsey Howard, CACHE program director. “This program will give these organizations the opportunity to support each other through current challenges, inspire and ideate, set and reach goals and come away with stronger partnerships and collective vision for Northwest Arkansas.”

Funding for CACHE comes from the Northwest Arkansas Council with support from the Walmart Foundation.

“ARt Connect provides participating arts and culture institutions a unique opportunity to access training and best practices that will help strengthen organizational effectiveness,” said Erin Hogue, director of community operations and Northwest Arkansas giving for Walmart.org. “We are excited to support this program that will foster growth and sustainability in the region’s arts ecosystem.”

 

Special thanks to our major investors for their support of the Northwest Arkansas Council and our work in the region: