Principal Fellowship Program
2024-25
Principal Fellowship
Building a community of support to create schools grounded in justice, love, joy, creativity, and anti-racism.
The 2024-25 Principal Fellowship will support 14 outstanding principals in developing an action plan that utilizes the arts for school-wide improvement. We are accepting applications from principals in Baltimore City and Baltimore, Prince George's, Montgomery, and Charles counties.
The program kicks off in September 2024. Early bird applications are due by June 28, 2024. The final deadline to apply is July 31, 2024.
You will learn and grow at every session. You will have so many tools added to your tool kit that will impact not only your life but also the lives of all members of your community. Not only will you be able to incorporate more art into your school, but this program also helps you incorporate more love and joy into your community. Your cup will be filled, and as principals, we need our cups filled now more than ever.”
—Natasha Pouncey, 2023 Principal Fellow & 2024 Heart of the School Award Winner
Early bird applications are due by June 28, 2024.
The final deadline to apply is July 31, 2024.
About the Principal Fellowship
The Arts for Learning Principal Fellowship is a game changer. This is your opportunity to find your tribe and uncover the wealth of arts resources in your community to transform learning in your school.
The Fellowship includes three sessions in the Fall, an overnight retreat at the Pearlstone in November, meetings for wellness + sharing + resources in January and March, a Virtual Book Club with time for reflection around equitable leadership in your school communities, time with mentors on your own, and a very special celebration in April/May. Principals will…
Connect…
Connect with a community of fellow principals who share your values, priorities, interests, and needs.
Experience…
Experience wellness and self-care so you can better look after yourself and others.
Understand…
Understand how the arts can be an agent for social change + school improvement.
Develop…
Develop your abolitionist leadership skills so you can work towards creating a school grounded in justice, love, joy and anti-racism.
Partner…
Partner with a highly qualified mentor for 1:1 coaching, guidance, and support.
Access…
Access a wealth of resources for your staff and students that can be utilized immediately.
Discover…
Discover the valuable arts and arts integration resources of local cultural institutions.
Hear…
Hear from other principals who have found ways to address administrative barriers to expanding the arts in school, like staffing, professional development, creating time to plan, and evaluation.
Create…
Create a flexible plan that utilizes the arts as a leverage for positive school change.
Receive…
Receive a $500 honorarium and up to $2,000 in funding to support leveraging the arts for school improvement.
Early bird applications are due by June 28, 2024.
The final deadline to apply is July 31, 2024.
Early bird applications: June 28, 2024
Final deadline: July 31, 2024
The Details
Who is the Fellowship for?
The Fellowship is limited to 14 Public Schools principals from Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Prince George's County, Montgomery County, and Charles County.
“Love, partnership, and fellowship. I want it to last forever.” —Tiffany Williams, 2024 Principal Fellow
Who is the Fellowship for?
“Love, partnership, and fellowship. I want it to last forever.” —Tiffany Williams, 2024 Principal Fellow
What is the compensation?
Principals will receive a $500 honorarium and up to $2,000 in funding to support leveraging the arts for school improvement.
The Principal Fellowship is a transformational professional learning experience. I highly recommend it to colleagues as a way to expand your horizons as a school leader." —Baba Olumiji, 2023 Principal Fellow
What is the compensation?
The Principal Fellowship is a transformational professional learning experience. I highly recommend it to colleagues as a way to expand your horizons as a school leader." —Baba Olumiji, 2023 Principal Fellow
What are the dates?
Welcome Dinner
Tuesday, September 10, 2024
5:30-8:30 pm, Location TBD
A warm welcome for and celebration of selected Fellows! The evening will include dinner, an orientation to the program, time to build our community, and artmaking!
Cultural Visits
Saturday, September 28, 2024
9:30 am-2:30 pm
After connecting virtually with the whole cohort to learn about state-wide arts opportunities, visit two Baltimore-based OR PG-Montgomery County cultural arts organizations to engage with education departments and learn how the institutions can support schools with arts-based or arts-integrated learning. After these visits, take time over lunch to unpack those institutions and resources through an anti-racist, pro-Black lens.
VIRTUAL Book Club
Thursday, October 17, 2024
5:30-6:30 pm
Throughout the program, we will read a book grounded in equitable leadership together! During this virtual hour, connect with your cohort about your personal reflections and ideas around collective action in your school communities. We will model the process you can use with your staff should you find it to be effective and inspiring. Each meeting a different pair of principals will be our facilitators!
Visit A4L’s After School Arts for Learning Academy in Action!
Wednesday, October 23, 2024
4:00-7:00 pm
Spend an afternoon at an After School Arts for Learning Academy observing arts-integrated and arts exploration classes. Engage in a scavenger hunt to learn all about the program and fully engage in classrooms. After, debrief over drinks with your colleagues about what your takeaways are for your own school communities.
Principals Retreat at the Pearlstone Retreat Center
Friday, November 1 (6:00 pm) to Sunday, November 3 (2:00 pm)
Join in community Saturday and Sunday at the Pearlstone Retreat Center, where we will dive into abolitionist teaching and leadership, hear from principals about how they have leveraged the arts for positive change in their school communities, meet and connect with your mentor, start dreaming up your own plan for leveraging the arts for positive school change, and engage in self care moments throughout the weekend, as self care as a critical component of being an abolitionist leader. **Please note: this retreat includes a Friday and Saturday overnight.
On Your Own: November 2024 through Mid-January 2025
- Meet with your Mentor to continue mapping out your Strategic Arts
- Plan/consider how to leverage the arts in your school. Visit an arts-integrated school in your District to learn from a leader how they make the magic.
VIRTUAL Book Club
Wednesday, December 11, 2024
5:30-6:30 pm
Throughout the program, we will read a book grounded in equitable leadership together! During this virtual hour, connect with your cohort about your personal reflections and ideas around collective action in your school communities. We will model the process you can use with your staff should you find it to be effective and inspiring. Each meeting a different pair of principals will be our facilitators!
On Your Own: November 2024 through Mid-January 2025
- Meet with your Mentor to continue mapping out your Strategic Arts
- Plan/consider how to leverage the arts in your school. Visit an arts-integrated school in your District to learn from a leader how they make the magic.
VIRTUAL Book Club
Wednesday, December 11, 2024
5:30-6:30 pm
Throughout the program, we will read a book grounded in equitable leadership together! During this virtual hour, connect with your cohort about your personal reflections and ideas around collective action in your school communities. We will model the process you can use with your staff should you find it to be effective and inspiring. Each meeting a different pair of principals will be our facilitators!
Wellness + Sharing + Resources + Inspiration
Saturday, January 18, 2025
10:45 am-3:30 pm
We will begin with grounding and wellness, engage in a tour + info about the organization hosting the session, get feedback on our strategic arts planning, share and gather arts resources, check in on our abolitionist leadership efforts, and part with the art. *Brunch included!
On Your Own: Mid-January through March 2025
- Meet with your Mentor to continue mapping out your Strategic Arts
- Plan/consider how to leverage the arts in your school. Visit an arts-integrated school in your District to learn from a leader how they make the magic.
Virtual Happy Hour with A4L Staff (OPTIONAL)
Wednesday, February 19, 2025
5:00-6:30 pm
Join A4L Coordinators for an informal opportunity to schedule artists, programs, and events on the spot! Come with ideas of what you would like to book for your school in February-June! You can join breakout rooms with various coordinators/program leads to share your dreams, and they will make the magic happen!
Wellness + Sharing + Resources + Inspiration
Saturday, March 15, 2025
10:45 am-3:30 pm
We will begin with grounding and wellness, engage in a tour + info about the organization hosting the session, get feedback on our strategic arts planning, share and gather arts resources, check in our abolitionist leadership efforts, and part with the art. *Brunch included!
On Your Own: Mid-March through May 2025
- Meet with your Mentor to continue mapping out your Strategic Arts
- Plan/consider how to leverage the arts in your school. Visit an arts-integrated school in your District to learn from a leader how they make the magic.
VIRTUAL Book Club
Tuesday, April 8, 2025
5:30-6:30 pm
Throughout the program, we will read a book grounded in equitable leadership together! During this virtual hour, connect with your cohort about your personal reflections and ideas around collective action in your school communities. We will model the process you can use with your staff should you find it to be effective and inspiring. Each meeting a different pair of principals will be our facilitators!
Evaluation and Celebration
April/May (date TBD)
5:00-10:00 pm
Reflect, evaluate, and attend a cultural event together to celebrate our growth and learning!
“This program has been so inspirational in my experience as a Principal as I've learned more about the importance of arts integration and leading our school community through academic achievement.” —2024 Principal Fellow
What are the dates?
“This program has been so inspirational in my experience as a Principal as I've learned more about the importance of arts integration and leading our school community through academic achievement.” —2024 Principal Fellow
“This program has encouraged, enlightened, and prepared me to integrate the arts, and it felt like therapy I needed. I pushed myself to attend sessions and at the end of each session, I left in a better state than I came. THANK YOU”
—2022 Principal Fellow
Early bird applications are due by June 28, 2024.
The final deadline to apply is July 31, 2024.
Early bird applications: June 28, 2024
Final deadline: July 31, 2024
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