One of the most important things we do at AASLH is connect our members and others in the history community to professional development that helps individuals and organizations grow and improve.

Today, we’re excited to announce that we’re expanding our comprehensive professional development offerings. AASLH has acquired the ARCUS Leadership Program from the SRI Foundation and Cultural Heritage Partners.

What is ARCUS?

ARCUS is a self-paced program that helps those working in the history field to think as entrepreneurs and leaders. It is a unique program that covers many topics not available anywhere else.

In 2016, more than 150 federal and state agencies, professional associations, nonprofits, and private companies formed the Preservation50 coalition to mark the 50th anniversary of the National Historic Preservation Act. That coalition identified as a top priority the need to develop new and more effective leadership education and development in the preservation, history, and related fields and the ARCUS program was created.

So far, more than 750 learners have completed ARCUS courses, with an additional 175 people completing an intensive fellowship program that has prepared leaders to address the most pressing issues facing the field today.

Who is ARCUS for?

Anyone working in the history field will benefit from the program, particularly those who are emerging professionals, in the middle of their careers, or who are changing to a career in history.

The program also benefits people working in organizations of any size, from small, volunteer-run organizations to larger institutions.

You don’t have to be an AASLH member to participate in ARCUS. However, AASLH members will receive a discount on registrations, with the greatest discount available to individual members. If you’re not a member, you can sign up here.

When will ARCUS be available?

We will relaunch the ARCUS program in the fall of 2022. We’ll share more information as we get closer to the relaunch date.

The SRI Foundation and Cultural Heritage Partners determined that the continued success of the program would best be achieved by finding an organization capable of bringing a sustained, mission-aligned focus to the program. After a nationwide search, AASLH was identified as a good fit because of our strategic goals of expanding professional development and promoting inclusion in the history field. We’re grateful to the Preservation50 coalition, the SRI Foundation, Cultural Heritage Partners, and American Express for developing and funding the ARCUS program.

With the acquisition of ARCUS, we now offer five distinct professional training programs. Others include:

You can learn more about our professional development at aaslh.org/professional-development.

We invite you to become a member of AASLH and participate in our professional development programs!