Arena Summit

We convene, train, and support the next generation of candidates and campaign staff. About Illustration by Julia Rotham We need candidates and staff from all walks of life to enter the arena. But the leaders we need find politics inaccessible. They often lack the training, coaching, and connections to launch and run successful campaigns. And while the right has built enduring infrastructure to support their leaders from diapers to dentures, progressives rely on temporary solutions that rise and fall every four years. This underinvestment in talent has cost us countless elections. Background 2016 Arena was founded to support the groundswell of new leaders entering the political arena following the election. 2017 We launched Arena Summit to convene up-and-coming political leaders. In total, we’ve hosted five Arena Summits across the country, reaching more than 2,500 activists and candidates. We also piloted our candidate support program in Virginia, where we supported 11 candidates running for the House of Delegates and helped flip the chamber. 2018 Many of the people who came to an Arena Summit decided to run for office — so we grew our candidate support program. We trained and collaborated with candidates running for office up and down the ballot and around the county. Arena ultimately helped elect 25 candidates — including 10 to Congress in red-to-blue districts. And we continued to break down traditional barriers to entry: 67% of our candidates were women, and 48% identified as people of color. 2019 Our candidates shared a common challenge — finding, training, and supporting a talented campaign staff. That’s why we launched a talent pipeline made of three parts: Arena Academy, an immersive program to train the next generation of campaign staff; Arena Careers, a jobs-matching board to connect members of the progressive community with professional opportunities; and Arena Toolbox, to offer just-in-time campaign solutions and tutorials for people already on campaigns. 2020 Our candidates shared a common challenge — finding, training, and supporting a talented campaign staff. That’s why we launched a talent pipeline made of three parts: Arena Academy, an immersive program to train the next generation of campaign staff; Arena Careers, a jobs-matching board to connect members of the progressive community with professional opportunities; and Arena Toolbox, to offer just-in-time campaign solutions and tutorials for people already on campaigns. Support our Candidates Careers is now open. Arena Careers is the one-stop-shop for progressive talent. Whether you’re looking to hire staff, seeking a job on a campaign, or building your network, this community is built for you. Join Arena Team Illustration by Branche Coverdale Meet the Arena team Meet the Team What people are saying View Press We need your support. Arena needs your support to convene, train and support the next generation of candidates and their staff. Donate Connect Academy Candidates Five Borough Future Resources Toolbox Arena Careers Journal About About Team Media Support Donate Shop Facebook-f Twitter Instagram Youtube Music Subscribe hello@arena.run Paid for by Arena Summit, a section 501(c)(4) organization, and Arena PAC. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee. Privacy Policy Terms of Service