Welcome to Lead On – the quarterly newsletter from Clore Leadership, which seeks to explore, stimulate and share perspectives on the issues currently impacting the leadership of culture.
With images of dynamic creativity amidst the recent Climate Change protests fresh in mind, this edition explores issues of culture and ‘cause’. Campaigns energise and stimulate. They tug at our conscience and nudge us to step forward, place a stake in the ground, join in, engage… lead? This is not the polarising intrinsic or extrinsic debate – society throws us more complex challenges, demands our opinion and prompts for values-based decision-making. So when is it important to add your voice to an issue or movement that is broader than your job role? At which point is it legitimate to take a stand? And what is the best way to take action, bearing in mind personal and organisational risks and responsibilities? Difficult choices abound for leaders across the cultural spectrum – so who decides? Explore the decisions and choices made by cultural organisations co-producing the upcoming Fly the Flag Week and see our Spotlight on Kate McGrath, Clore Fellow and Director, Fuel, sharing the thinking behind this national project to mark the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. See also our Brainfuel, profiling a range of initiatives including Steam Co, a non-profit Community Enterprise ‘on a mission to put #CREATIVITYFIRST in our Schools, Work and Lives, because Art Connects’. Many have taken inspiration from Greta Thunberg, the 16 year old climate activist who addressed Westminster politicians on their failure to act amidst the climate emergency. A range of artists are making this intrinsic to their work. Is culture an effective medium for profiling contemporary or civic issues? Does it have a role to play? How do you judge when the art or the time is right? We’d love to hear your thoughts. Join the conversation by emailing us or reaching us on Twitter @CloreLeadership and stay #CloreConnected! Hilary and the Clore Leadership Team |