In the Arena
In the Arena supports Aspen Fellows leading civic and social change through restorative seminars, peer connection, and collective reflection to renew resilience and strengthen courage to act on their values.
Funder: Aspen Institute
Due Dates: August 27–30, 2026 (Cohort 1 seminar) | November 17–20, 2026 (Cohort 2 seminar) | Waitlist requests by email (no deadline stated)
Funding Amounts: No participation cost; participants cover travel, with limited financial assistance available case by case
Summary: In the Arena supports Aspen Fellows leading civic and social change through restorative seminars, peer connection, and collective reflection.
Key Information: Open only to Aspen Fellows based in or leading work within the United States, including multi-geography leaders with a meaningful US presence.
Description
In the Arena is an Aspen Institute program led by the Aspen Global Leadership Network in partnership with the McNulty Foundation. It brings together two cohorts of 16–18 Aspen Fellows leading civic and social change in a shared US civic and political context. The program responds to disappearing funding, pressure on democratic values, and the difficulty of finding space to pause and reflect while sustaining demanding leadership work.
Each cohort gathers for a long-weekend seminar in a restorative US setting. Aspen seminar dialogues, immersive time in nature, and somatic experiences support renewal and genuine human connection. The program centers on four commitments: restoring resilience, connecting a sustaining community, strengthening courage to act on deeply held values, and collectively imagining a path forward.
