The National Association of Latino Arts and Cultures (NALAC)  is excited to announce the open call for applications for the 2026  NALAC Leadership Institute (NLI). The NLI is a week-long fellowship that brings non-profit arts administrators and cultural workers together from across the nation for intensive training in leadership and management capacity.

“NALAC eagerly anticipates welcoming the next generation of arts and culture leaders to the NLI,” said Cat Rodríguez, NALAC’s Director of Programs. “Together, in community, we will navigate today’s challenges as well as envision and plan for a more equitable future.”

The 2026 NLI will take place from July 18 – 25, 2026, in San Antonio, Texas. Selected fellows will participate in learning sessions and workshops designed to foster leadership development, build skills in nonprofit arts management, and strengthen cultural competency.

The deadline to apply for the 2026 NALAC Leadership Institute (NLI) is Monday, February 9, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. CST. NALAC strongly encourages Latinx/é applicants from underrepresented communities within Latinidad, including Black, Indigenous, LGBTQ+, Disabled, and Undocumented folx.

Resources

• Support Presentation: A pre-recorded guide that includes a step-by-step
  walk-through of the application process. Available for on-demand viewing.
   
• 2026 NLI Cafecito: A virtual office hour held by the NALAC Programs Team to answer any questions. Scheduled for Tuesday, January 27, 2026, at 3:00 PM CT, via Zoom. (This meeting will not be recorded.)
   
• Financial Assistance: NALAC offers a limited number of financial assistance funds to selected applicants to attend the NLI. These opportunities are made available to Fellows after being admitted to the program; Fellows must align with eligibility criteria in order to request financial assistance (please see the 2026 NLI Guidelines for details). All requests for financial assistance are reviewed individually, provided on a need basis, and prioritize individuals from under-resourced communities.
   
  • NALAC Leadership Institute Support Fund: Established by the NLI Class of 2022, the NLI Support Fund is an alum-funded financial assistance program that supports fellows to attend the NLI.
     
  • Voces de Los Angeles Fund: Funded by the California Community Foundation, the Voces de Los Angeles Fund provides financial assistance for fellows residing in L.A. County to attend the NLI.

More information is now available on the NLI webpage, including the full list of support resources and the 2026 NLI application guidelines.

For more updates about the 2026 NALAC Leadership Institute (NLI), please follow NALAC on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.