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What is AccelARTS?

AccelARTS is a 12-week cohort based accelerator program, developed by Triangle ArtWorks, with a goal to provide deep and focused learning, mentoring, and support leaders need to take their organizations to the next level. 

Participants attend group sessions and receive one-on-one coaching on topics such as leadership, organizational development, board development, financial management, and fundraising. This program also allows for networking, alliance building, and development of new best practices in a supportive environment. The end goal will be to increase participants’ organizational sustainability, as well as potential for grant funding and other forms of financial growth. 

Benefits of Participating

  • Mentorship

    Receive one-on-one mentoring from our experienced course facilitators.

  • Growth

    Learn the skills and tools needed to build organizational sustainability and grow funding.

  • Relationships

    Form new alliances as part of a cohort of program participants.

Want to Bring AccelArts to the Nonprofits in your Community?

Triangle ArtWorks can partner with local government, arts councils and others to bring this program to your community. Reach out to our staff to learn more!

Hear from members of our recent AccelARTS cohort with Arts Council of Greater Greensboro about the impact of participating in AccelARTS on their organizations.

General Timeline

Application Deadline/Review Period - TAW works with partner to develop program criteria, then develop application form and process; review applications, and select cohort that meets program criteria.

Discovery Phase - To support curriculum design, AccelARTS facilitators will conduct pre-assessment and document review of cohort organizations, and hold a “kick-off” , in-person Discovery Meeting with cohort members to assess needs and barriers to success.

Solution Design Phase - Based on information gained in the discovery phase, the program facilitators will develop a custom curriculum based on the needs of the program participants.

Implementation Phase: Although this phase will be tweaked to meet the needs of the cohort, it often includes,

(1) 12 Zoom class sessions

(6) bi-weekly group coaching calls

(2) 30-minute laser coaching calls, as needed

(3) Post class session mentoring sessions to support cohort presentations, planning

Graduation: In person graduation with presentations by cohort members on lessons learned and goals.

Course Facilitators

We are pleased to welcome La-Tasha Best-Gaddy and Calvin Patterson as our experienced program facilitators.

Ms. Best-Gaddy is the Chief Strategist for Infinity Bridges, Inc., an independent business consulting firm focused on providing innovative solutions to systemic economic development challenges for underserved entrepreneurs. Ms. Best-Gaddy has long experience in providing technical assistance to small and solo companies and nonprofits, through her past work at SBTDC and her long work with Durham Tech Small Business Center. 

Mr. Patterson is the Chairman and CEO of Earnest Harvest, LLC, a small consultancy dedicated to successful business development. Their team provides business planning assistance, grant research and grant writing assistance, and other startup support to nonprofit and for profit organizations. Mr. Patterson has also been an active member of the Winston Salem Black Chamber of Commerce since 2003—serving as President since 2021 and board member since 2003.

Development of this program was supported by the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.