Creative Champions Network

Strengthening the arts by expanding governance and leadership skills for arts leaders.

About Creative Champions Network

Creative Champions Network (CCN) provides opportunities for Toronto’s 2,000+ arts board members and executive leadership to come together, share experiences, and learn from leading experts about the art of good governance, fundraising, marketing – and more.  Our Workshops & Speaker Series and online Resources offer extensive information and guidance on the roles, responsibilities, challenges and rewards of serving on an arts board or as the leader fo an arts organization.

Toronto Arts Foundation believes that the arts community’s leaders are a powerful force: building strong and sustainable organizations, finding creative solutions to problems facing companies large and small, encouraging private philanthropy, promoting the joys and value of the arts, and advancing policies that allow the arts to flourish. Under the guidance of Michelle Yeung, Creative Champions Lead, CCN is building a cohesive and collaborative network that encourages shared learning, board skills development, discussion and collaboration – harnessing the potential of its membership for the benefit of Toronto’s artists and creative sector.  

An average of 7 workshops and speakers events take place throughout the year, covering key topics including:

  • The Board Chair/CEO partnership;
  • Planning for artistic and management leadership transitions;
  • Board recruitment, and diversifying your board;
  • Financial oversight;
  • Board structure and policies;
  • Strategy and planning;
  • Fundraising;
  • Being a strong champion and advocate;  
  • And more

Membership

Membership and participation in Creative Champions Network is free. Anyone serving on an arts board or as the leader of an arts organization in Toronto is encouraged to sign up to hear about our workshops, special speakers, and other events.

Membership in the Creative Champions Network includes:

  • Invitations to Workshops, Speakers and Special Events: Explore our upcoming workshops
  • An array of useful Resources provided at each workshop.
  • Access to our online Resources page and occasional e-communications

Are you a volunteer board member or a member of the leadership of a Toronto arts organization? Sign up to Creative Champions Network today to receive notifications about upcoming events and exciting news.

The Vision, Mission and Goal of Creative Champions Network

Our vision is of a Toronto where everyone has the opportunity to be joyfully engaged with the arts; where artists and cultural organizations are thriving; and where artists, managers and boards are mutually committed to enriching individuals and communities through the arts.

Our mission is to empower the arts community’s most important and passionate volunteers and leaders by bringing members of arts boards and arts leadership together to learn, connect and become powerful champions of the arts.

Our goal is to build a sustainable and dynamic network, brought together through targeted events and communications, and to strengthen the arts ecology by creating stronger boards and leaders that are better prepared to provide meaningful guidance to the organizations they serve.

More info

For more information about the Creative Champions Network, or if you are a board member or leader of an arts organization and would like to join the Network, please contact:

Alexandra Loewen 
Interim Manager, Events & Initiatives
416-392-6802 x215
Get in Touch

Resources

Get on Board: Leadership Sessions & Speaker Series

‘Get on Board’ with the arts sector with our series of sessions and networking events.

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Resources for Board Members

Resources designed to get you thinking about your board.

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Webinar Recordings

We're pleased to offer you the below recordings of past webinars for you to explore.

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Guidance For Arts Boards Confronting a Pandemic

Recordings and resources related to our Confronting a Pandemic series.

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