Welcome to Lead On – the newsletter from Clore Leadership, which seeks to explore, stimulate and share perspectives on the issues currently impacting the leadership of culture.

After what was officially the wettest Winter on record, clocks have switched to British Summer Time and it looks like Spring has finally arrived, in all its glory.  

In this edition of Lead On, we take our cue from the positive energy of Spring and April's World Earth Day to share a range of resources and insights on the themes of Climate Leadership and Sustainability. Read how British Museums are taking a lead in sustainability; and explore Julie's Bicycle and the Gallery Climate Coalition to find practical tips on being more environmentally active. We are thrilled to have secured support from The Linbury Trust to establish a Culture & Climate Fellowship, and look forward to welcoming our inaugural Fellow later in the year.

July 2024 marks the 21^st Anniversary of Clore Leadership! Back in 2003, Dame Vivien Duffield and the Clore Duffield Foundation, responded to the lack of pipeline for UK cultural leaders by creating the Clore Fellowship Programme, and have retained this investment in strengthening the leadership of culture in each of the 21 years of our existence – a game changing commitment! Sally Bacon, former Director of the Foundation, shares the origin story charting the year of research, consultation and programme design that led to the announcement of the first cohort of Fellows in 2004. Just fascinating to see how many of that cohort, and indeed the 19 cohorts that have followed so far, have gone on to lead key cultural institutions, forge new creative practice, and fulfil our keen ambition to cultivate excellence and innovation in the leadership of culture.

Our Leadership Courses began in 2008, and have supported over 2000 Leaders to make their mark on the sector. Learn more about the impact of our alumni on our website, where you will also find an expanded range of research, resources and diverse perspectives on leading culture. Our work in Governance is underpinned by our collaboration with the Cultural Governance Alliance to create a unique Practical Guide and first-port-of-call for governance in the cultural sector.

Across the past 21 years of leadership learning we have regularly engaged in research, reviews and interactive communication with sector leaders and other industries, to ensure our programmes resonate as relevant and topical. Building on their long-term investments in Clore Leadership, we were delighted to be joined by key industry partners Arts Council England and the Arts and Humanities Research Council to explore the World of Work today. This critical series of Assemblies and formal research will enhance our understanding of sector needs, practices and perspectives, as new ways of working emerge in the aftermath of the poly-crises of recent times. We are busy crunching and analysing the data, and look forward to sharing these findings in the months ahead, underscoring the contribution of our cultural and creative sectors to a healthy ecology, a thriving economy and a vibrant society.

Our Clore Leadership Trustees are the driving force behind our ambitions, and we are delighted to welcome three new members to the Clore Leadership Board: Suzann McLean MBE, actress and Artistic Director of Theatre Peckham; Jonathan Reekie CBE, Director of Somerset House; and Kate Varah, Executive Director at the National Theatre. ‘As leaders, employers and champions of new talent, their impressive range of skills will help us remain forward-thinking and agile in how we effectively support leaders from the sector in these increasingly volatile times.’ Moira Sinclair, Chair, Clore Leadership.

So thank you to everyone who has been part of this journey of leadership over 21 years. With our World of Work Series, we are refreshing our understanding, updating markers for our own sustainability agenda, and percolating new thought leadership for the dynamic times ahead. Come with us…

Hilary Carty, Executive Director, Clore Leadership

Join the conversation by emailing us or reaching us on Twitter, LinkedIn or Instagram - @CloreLeadership.

Clore Leadership is delighted to welcome three new members to its Board: Suzann McLean MBE, actress and Artistic Director of Theatre Peckham,  Jonathan Reekie CBE, Director of Somerset House and Kate Varah, Executive Director at the National Theatre.

Suzann, Jonathan and Kate will steer Clore Leadership in responding creatively and effectively to the evolving needs of cultural leaders, ensuring they gain the skills, competences and confidence to navigate the maelstrom of current challenges - from the impact of Covid 19 and financial constraints to new technology and changing workforce dynamics.

Sessions run June-October 2024

Inclusive Cultures - our comprehensive six-month professional development programme is designed for cultural leaders seeking to enhance and expand their approach to inclusive culture-making and transformation. 

Led by six disabled professional artists and coaches, this programme combines Inclusive Leadership theories with the lived experiences of D/deaf, disabled, and neurodivergent individuals and communities.

Our facilitators for 2024 are:

Alia Alzougbi is a performance storyteller, facilitator and cultural producer and joint CEO of Shubbak Festival. 

Alinah Azadeh is a British Iranian writer, artist, performer and cultural activist. 

Hayley Hindle is an artist, researcher, coach, somatic practitioner and trainer. 

John Kelly is a vocalist, musician, performer, song-writer and recording artist working in the UK and internationally.  

Sarah Pickthall is a consultant, trainer, executive team coach and action learning set facilitator.

Deborah Williams OBE is a executive and accredited coach working across the creative and cultural industries. 

The deadline for applications is 9am, Monday 29th April.

Re-UP! Online is designed as ​​a restorative oasis for Global Majority cultural professionals.

This is a space where global majority cultural professionals can meet, connect and find tools to restore and recharge. 

Thursday 11 July 2024, 10 – 4pm, The Redcar Palace (Tees Valley Arts)

An essential skills day to help build your leadership toolkit, led by Keith Arrowsmith, Senior Partner (Legal) Counterculture.

It aims to demystify what governance means, what’s involved and why effective governance is so important. Relevant to a variety of roles and experience the day will be full of practical advice and tips that you can take-away and apply to real world situations.

Clore 19 Fellow, Jessica Edwards' provocation paper asks how creative practitioners can contribute to our vision of the future, if they were better enabled.

Illustration: Silvana P. Duncan for ArtistsForClimate.org 

Sarah Stannage’s AHRC research provides a small snapshot of the diverse experiences and insights within the profession of cultural heritage conservation, and to consider how these insights and emerging narratives might inform leadership responses to some of the most pressing and profound challenges and opportunities facing the sector.

Author Christos Carras, independent researcher and senior associate at AEA Consulting, discusses the relationship between culture and sustainable development goals. The essay features in The Handbook of Cultural Work which explores how culture interacts with other disciplines, including education and health, as well climate change and sustainable development.

AEA Consulting have also published a useful guide for arts organisations: Sustainability System for the Arts (SSA).

Julie's Bicycle - a pioneering organisation helping the arts and culture industry to take action on climate - has launched a new podcast series. The series features remarkable stories of individuals leading radical and transformational projects in music, film, galleries, academia, activism, tech, design and performing arts across the world.

GCC’s resources contain information on best practice relating to the key areas of environmental impact for arts organisations.

Take inspiration from this beautifully illustrated Zine from Inclusive Cultures participant, Stephanie Fletcher as she reflects on time, justice and kindness and asks what would happen 'if we moved with the seasons...'

However, arts organisations worldwide trail behind the corporate sector and academia, according to a study, often because of limited resources.

Museums and Chill explore the role museums can play in fostering a more sustainable future as it speaks to Ki Culture, an organisation bridging the gap between culture and sustainability. 

The Crafts Council have created a useful resource which shares insights, ideas and helpful advice to start or continue making your business more sustainable. 

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