City of Garland Heritage Crossing Coordinator Kim Nurmi recently graduated from the Leadership Arts Institute. Through a nine-month course, graduates of Leadership Arts Institute (LAI) gain expertise in nonprofit board best practices, leadership skills and the role of arts and culture in building a more equitable, educated and healthy North Texas.
Graduating class members can be individually matched for service on regional nonprofit boards of directors. Founded in 1989 by Business Council for the Arts, LAI is the oldest and most respected statewide program of its kind. LAI graduates form the backbone of our arts and business communities and are invited to join the Leadership Arts Alumni.
Each class also selects a class practicum that positively impacts our social environment. The LAI class of 2022 launched Arts & Economic Prosperity 6 (AEP6) in North Texas and continues to collect intercept surveys at art venues throughout the area. AEP6 is conducted in partnership with regional cities and Americans for the Arts. AEP6 measures the positive economic impacts of nonprofit arts and culture organizations in such areas as employment and tourism.
Nurmi served as the Community Partner Chair for the class practicum and continues to serve as the City of Garland’s liaison to Americans for the Arts for AEP6.
“Being a part of LAI was an honor and a privilege,” Nurmi said. “My belief in the power and importance of cultural arts for communities was reinforced by this invaluable program.”
For more information about LAI, visit ntbca.org/lai.