[http://neutral-zone.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/yds-logo.jpg.png] The Neutral Zone, headquartered in Ann Arbor is offering a unique youth leadership program for arts and cultural organizations in Michigan. Through a generous partnership with the New Leaders Council of the Michigan Council for the Arts and Cultural Affairs <http://www.michiganbusiness.org/community/council-arts-cultural-affairs/> (MCACA) four[http://neutral-zone.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/NL-Logo-2015-300x300.j...] arts or cultural organizations across Michigan will obtain support to increase teen engagement and voice in their programs and organizations. The objective will be achieved by helping organizations build or expand a youth advisory council and through adoption of other youth driven strategies. Through these practices organizations will increase engagement and leadership by teens and help them play new roles to plan projects, curate programs, promote events, recruit peers, fundraise, facilitate their own meetings, and advise on organizational decisions. Agencies who are interested in applying should: * Serve older youth (ages 13-19) * Be committed to supporting ways to increase youth voice and engagement in their programs and organization * May have or are interested in creating a youth council * Reside in Michigan * Can identity and organize a leadership team of youth (8-15) and adult advisors (2-4) who can participate in an overnight retreat on October 21-22, 2017 * Agencies participating in this initiative * Receive all training and coaching services at no cost, including the 2-day October residential institute * Travel costs to the October event will be the responsibility of participating organizations If you are interested, please view and complete the YDS arts overview and application 2017<http://neutral-zone.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/YDS-arts-overview-and-application-2017.pdf> For additional questions, please contact John Weiss, Director of Strategic Initiatives, Neutral Zone (weiss@neutral-zone.org<mailto:weiss@neutral-zone.org>) -- John Weiss, Director of Strategic Initiatives Neutral Zone | Where Teens Lead, Create and Innovate [http://www.snoitulosten.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/twitter-small.jpg] <https://twitter.com/youthdriven> 310 E. Washington | Ann Arbor, MI 48104 | 734.214.9995 ext. 222 | www.neutral-zone.org<http://www.neutral-zone.org/>