Empower your organization and staff

M-AAA provides career and professional development programs to connect, support, and empower organizations. We provide the curriculum, facilitators, and tools—your organization provides the space and support.

With a suite of capacity-building workshops, M-AAA’s Engage programs provides customized capacity-building and technical assistance to help arts and cultural organizations adapt, innovate, and increase their resilience.

Learn ways to thrive when faced with significant challenges. Topics range from leadership transitions, fluctuating funding, and operational constraints—that can limit their reach, impact, and sustainability.

Host Engage in your community

Bring an Engage program to your community in 2025. Applications for new partner communities are now open. Complete the form below for more information and pricing. 

Program breakdown & outcomes for your community

Essentials (In-Person or Virtual)

Essentials is an introductory workshop focused on specific professional development topics. In collaboration with local partners, the workshop utilizes asset mapping and community feedback to help organizations identify gaps and create action plans.

Duration: Half day/Customizable

Engage Flex (In-Person or Virtual)

For rural and regional organizations, Engage FLEX is a flexible, in-depth program focusing on community-specific challenges. The modules are selected based on community needs, with themes covering governance, strategic planning, and fundraising. The program includes workshops with topic experts. Essentials is a prerequisite for an Engage FLEX.

Duration: 4 months to a year, customizable

Engage Express (In-Person or Virtual)

Geared toward organizations with limited time for professional development, Engage Express offers an intensive version of the Engage Classic program. It includes large group sessions, individualized coaching, and consultations on financial and HR matters.

The program spans three cycles of three months each, focusing on Governance, Finance, and Engagement. The program’s output includes workshops, cohesive action plan, one-on-one with topic experts, and year-long cohort and network building.

Duration: 12 months

Engage Classic (In-Person)

Engage Classic is an in-depth, community-centered organizational development program. It works with small to midsize arts and cultural organizations to strengthen internal practices and improve community impact.

The program is organized in three phases:

• Data Collection & Needs Assessment
• Learning Cycles: Cohort sessions and individualized consultations with topic-based experts focusing on Governance, Finance, Accessibility, and Engagement.
• Evaluation & Final Report: Participants receive individualized coaching, attend workshops on current trends, and develop strong peer networks to solve problems and share resources.

The first year focuses on trust-building and theory, while the second year is more hands-on, with opportunities for additional funding. Engage Classic strengthens participating arts organizations and arts leaders, amplifying an arts ecosystem that supports the wider community.

Duration: 24 months