Introduction to AI for campaigns
May 20, 2026
Online
Arena Academy 201
At this training, you’ll gain a unique understanding of your leadership strengths and what it takes to effectively manage people and programs. You’ll learn how to manage high-performing teams in a digital, AI-driven landscape and gain skills to set goals, give feedback, manage budgets, and more.
Throughout the training, you’ll connect with a community of your peers and explore how successful managers are updating campaign strategy to meet the moment by leveraging advanced digital strategies, AI, and social media communications to manage people, programs, and campaigns built on today’s best practices.
Arena Academy 201 is not an entry level course: it is meant for people with at least one cycle of paid staff experience on a campaign or with a movement organization who are people or program managers, or aspire to hold those roles. Think titles with director and manager titles.
Our most recent Arena Academy 201 concluded in March 2026. Stay tuned for announcements for future trainings.
Your Arena Academy 201 Journey
Learn more about your Arena Academy 201 journey from application to career support.
aHow to Apply
Ready to attend Arena Academy 201? The first step is to apply! The application provides space to tell us about your passions and professional goals. We want to hear about what makes you unique, what you hope to gain from Arena Academy 201, and your aspirations as a change agent. Heads up: You’ll need to submit a pdf of your resume as part of the application. Read our application guide for more tips!
Arena Academy 201 is meant for people with at-least three consecutive months of experience on a campaign or with a movement organization.
Cost and Scholarships
Tuition for Arena Academy is $200, but we never let cost be a barrier to entry. Arena offers a wide range of scholarships to ensure that anyone who is accepted to Arena Academy can attend. The majority of past participants have received a full or partial scholarship, and in our commitment to build an inclusive community, we also offer childcare grants. Scholarship need does not impact acceptance. If accepted, you’ll learn more about the scholarship options.
Consider asking your employer if they will cover your tuition as part of a professional development fund.
Before the Training
Prior to Arena Academy, you’ll start to get to know the Arena team, our trainers, and your cohort via email and Slack. We’ll provide opportunities for you to request accessibility accommodations and tips for a successful training, including reminders to block your calendar and request time off from work, if needed. We’ll also prompt you to complete some short pre-work and attend optional pre-training sessions.
Training Details
You’ll come away from Arena Academy 201: The New Management Skills with new skills and a trusted community of values-aligned political practitioners. The core Arena Academy 201 program teaches leadership and team-building alongside hard skills like planning, budgeting, and giving feedback. Throughout the training you’ll learn how to manage performing teams and programs in a digital, AI-driven landscape that can develop strategies for effective social communications.
At Arena Arena Academy 201: The New Management Skills, you’ll dive into a mix of large-group sessions, hands-on workshops, and practical exercises designed to help you level up quickly. You’ll join a cohort of ~250 campaign staff from across the country, people who’ll become your sounding board and your “phone-a-friend” throughout the cycle.
After the Training
After graduating from Arena Academy, our Arena Careers team is there to help you navigate your career in politics. Whether you’re working to land your first-ever role or score that big job you’ve been dreaming of, we’re here to help. Learn more about our career services.
Upcoming Events
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Arena Trainers
Arena trainers are a diverse, creative, and strategic group of practitioners who’ve led winning campaigns up and down the ballot. You’ll learn from and connect with leaders who understand and support your passions, aspirations, and values.
INTERESTED IN TRAINING WITH ARENA? FILL OUT THIS INTEREST FORMAlexandria Coburn
National Radical Education Field Manager, Working Families Party
Carli Stevenson
Assistant Director of Communications, Politics, SEIU
Catherine Kahle
Deputy Chief Technology Officer, DNC
Cayana Mackey Nance
Digital Strategist
Jade Tacka
Head of Development, Swing Left
Jose Nuñez
National Organizing Director, DNC
Dr. Kira Banks
Professor of Psychology and co-founder of the Institute for Healing Justice and Equity, Saint Louis University
Kayci Moodie
National States and Organizing Director, NextGen
Luis Ávila
President, Iconico
Regina Monge
Former Campaign Manager, Jessica Cisneros for Congress
Ruby Sarron
Training Director, ActBlue
Ryanne Brown
Digital Paid Media Director, Priorities USA
Sarah Blahovec
Co-Founder and President, Disability Victory Fund
Sean Ward
Executive Director, New Mexico Democratic Party
Shripal Shah
IE Director, House Majority PAC
Stephanie Medina
Deputy Director, Partner Engagement, ZINC Collective
Terry Bermea
Executive Director, Battleground Texas
Arena Academy 201 kicked propelled me to where I am now. I joined the staff management track. It helped me build the skills to support staff and reach campaign with clarity and rigor. You can tell a lot of thought and intention went into the content. I’d attend all over again. Speaking of which, when is the next one?
“Arena Academy 201 was an amazing opportunity for me to network and process after the 2022 cycle. The discussions we had during Arena Academy 201 helped me identify my strengths and areas where I want to grow.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Our next Arena Academy 201: Management Skills will be held online from March 13-15, 2026. If accepted, you will join a cohort of ~250 campaign and movement leaders from across the country.
Arena has one scheduled Academy 201 in 2026, and while we may add another if our calendar opens up, we suggest applying for the March Academy if you are interested in attending this year.
If you already have experience in political work and are looking to dive deep into best practices for managing teams of people and crafting intentional, people-centric programs, Academy 201 is a good fit. If you are looking to build skills related to specific areas of campaign work like fundraising, digital communications, etc. then consider Arena Academy Campaign Catalyst. You can always apply for both!
Arena Academy 201 is intended for people who have worked at least one cycle as a full-time paid staffer on a campaign or movement organization, in any position. We consider a cycle to be 3+ months working on a campaign or multiple campaigns. If you do not meet this criteria, please consider applying to Arena Academy, where we accept applicants from all backgrounds and experience levels.
We also ask that applicants demonstrate their interest in continuing to work on campaigns. If you currently hold a management position, you are strongly encouraged to apply, and if you don’t yet hold a management position, we want to know that that is something you aspire to.
No. Arena Academy 201 is open to experienced staffers who want to level-up their management of people or programs on campaigns.
Arena Academy 201: The New Management Skills registration costs $200.
Yes! Arena ensures that financial need is never a barrier to participation, and two-thirds of Arena Academy participants receive some form of scholarship. Just complete the scholarship section of the application. If you’re accepted, we’ll let you know what level of scholarship we’re able to offer. If you have other questions as you consider your decision, just email training@arena.run.
We also encourage you to ask if your employer will cover your tuition as part of a professional development fund.
For trainings held online, the scholarship will cover the $200 registration fee. In the past, we’ve also offered childcare and technology grants. Participants are eligible to apply for this additional support once they’ve been accepted into Arena Academy.
Arena has trained thousands of people online, and we specialize in creating effective learning environments and building community in virtual spaces. Even though you won’t be in the same physical location as other participants, you should expect training to be interactive, participatory, and engaging. It will be difficult or impossible to multi-task, as trainings are interactive workshops rather than webinars. Plan to be online and engaged with the training the entire time.
No. The majority of time will be spent in plenary sessions and small group breakouts. Throughout training you’ll be able to choose between sessions you’d like to attend.
Yes. Each day will have at least two short breaks, a lunch break, and optional workshops and social events in the evenings. However, Arena Academy 201: The New Management Skills will take up most of the day, and you should expect to take off work during this training.
Yes. Slides will be made available to participants, you will have an interactive workbook to use and reference, and when multiple sessions happen simultaneously they will be recorded so you can review content from the sessions you were not able to attend.
Yes! The 2026 Arena Academy 201: The New Management Skills is a completely reimagined take on our tried-and-true leadership and management curriculum. While some sessions might be a refresher, this training is focused on equipping people and program managers with the skills they need to update and adapt campaigns to the digital and AI landscape.
Business as usual won’t cut it. In the fall of 2025, Arena merged with Zinc Collective to bring the two leading Democratic talent pipeline organizations under one roof. With shared resources, reach, and expertise, we’re building a powerful engine that will support campaign staff and fuel Democratic victories in 2026 and far beyond.
Our training this year will ensure campaign staff have the foundational and emerging skills to meet the moment and win–from the fundamentals of organizing, to advanced digital and data tactics, to AI, authentic social media strategy, and more.
Yes! We are always excited to support staff professional development. Please reach out to training@arena.run and we can discuss your needs, group rates, and more.
Please reach out to training@arena.run to learn more about Academy sponsorship opportunities. We welcome your support in providing scholarships to keep Arena Academy accessible to participants of all backgrounds.
Product demos fall into a sponsorship category – we would be excited to talk and encourage you to reach out to training@arena.run to discuss if your product is a good fit for our community’s needs.
If you have other questions as you consider your decision, just email training@arena.run. Alternatively, if you receive a text message from our team about your application, just text back. We’re a small team and will get back to you as soon as possible.
What People are Saying
Recap of Arena Academy Houston
Watch this short video to get a behind the scenes look at an in-person Arena Academy.
Instagram Live About Arena Academy 201
Arena Academy 201 graduate Gabriel Samuel joins Arena Training Director Jess Weldon and Deputy Training Director Jess Angima to reflect on how the training helped them as a manager.
Launch Your Political Career
Arena Academy has supercharged the political careers of thousands of people. You could be next.
