Brave Decisions: We catch up with the 2023/24 Clore Fellows as they graduate from the Fellowship
As the 2023/24 cohort of Clore Fellows (#Clore19) celebrate their graduation at Tate Modern, we caught up with them to uncover how the Fellowship has transformed their leadership journeys.
Each year, around 24 Clore Fellowships are awarded to dynamic change-makers from across the arts, heritage and culture sector with ambition and vision, who demonstrate how they might take their leadership to the next level to make a positive impact on society.
Headline news from the #Clore19 cohort includes:
- Laura Crossley has launched a Clore Leadership/Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) funded project researching how cultural sector leaders can create positive work cultures that prevent staff and freelancer burnout. She is also launching a report, podcast, and anti-burnout toolkit in the new year.
- Sovay Berriman, our Visual Arts Fellow, is now an accredited coach with RD1st and is launching a new proposition for leaders – ReWilding Arts Leadership.
- Kate Mackonochie celebrates a new role partway through her Fellowship journey moving from Factory International to Executive Director of the Marlowe Theatre
- Fiona Bridges has moved continents as she joins the team at PAHSMA (Port Arthur Historic Site Management Authority) as Director of Interpretation and Experiences for a portfolio of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Tasmania, Australia.
- Leonardo Menezes has curated an exhibition about the Amazonian bioeconomy at SESI Lab – a new science museum in Brasilia, Brazil.
- Charlotte Edmonds, choreographer and dancer, announces a return to the stage at Sadlers Wells, London.
- This year’s range of provocation papers from the cohort includes topics from loneliness and burnout to why disabled artists are essential in climate leadership.
It’s been a whirlwind year for our Clore 19 Fellows, who have demonstrated their willingness to make brave decisions and embrace change, perhaps most symbolically marked by a new Labour government. This cohort of Fellows has brought energy, passion, dynamism and debate to the programme – attributes which are absolutely critical in today’s increasingly complex environment. We look forward to the powerful impact they are sure to make to the sector over the coming months and years.
Hilary Carty, Executive Director, Clore Leadership
Laura Crossley and the ‘Cult of Busyness’
Laura is an independent consultant. She was awarded the 2023/24 Heritage Fellowship supported by National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Laura Crossley is a Manchester-based freelance consultant with over a decade of experience working with museums and arts organisations across the UK. She specialises in strategic planning, visioning, audience development, interpretation, and evaluation.
Laura has recently announced that she is undertaking research with support from Clore Leadership and AHRC into how cultural sector organisations can prevent burnout and inject joy and creativity where possible, after she began contemplating toxic workplaces, the ‘cult of busyness’ and how damaging it is to individuals in a workplace setting.
“I think it’s super important for cultural sector organisations to inject joy and creativity where possible; we do our best work when people are being and thinking creatively – to my mind, this helps us solve tricky problems, overcome challenges, produce more innovative and audience-focused work, and build resilient organisations that are fit for the future.
“Clore Leadership has been hugely transformational for me and is setting my career on an exciting new trajectory, which is enabling me to make the impact I so wanted to make when I applied for the Fellowship. I’m starting a new company which will develop better workplace cultures and support organisations to thrive through culture change, workforce culture development, and leadership development…
“This has only been made possible by having the time and space to reflect on my practice afforded to me by Clore Leadership, along with the mindset shift which has occurred because of the Fellowship…I really can’t thank Clore Leadership enough for everything it’s given me.”
You can hear Laura speak on creating joyful workplace cultures at the Museums Association conference in Leeds this November. She’ll be sharing a simple ‘happy workplace’ toolkit highlighting how to create positive work cultures. Visit the Museums Association Website to find out more.
You can get in touch with Laura up until the end of November to get involved with her research into burnout by contacting her at [email protected]
Sovay Berriman on ‘ReWilding the Arts’
Sovay is a Cornish artist, leader, champion of the arts as well as Director of plumbing and heating company, Plumb Maid. They were awarded the 2023/24 Visual Arts Fellowship, supported by a-n The Artists Information Company.
As an artist, Sovay Berriman uses their practice as a structure and prompt for action and discussion and is committed to questioning balances of power.
Sovay developed the concept of ReWilding Arts Leadership during their journey as a Fellow and Sovay has now built an offer to organisations to help them ‘rewild’ their governance and executive processes.
The research asks how the policy, governance and strategic layer of the arts and cultural sector can better intersect with the behaviours and practices of creative production.
An extract from Sovay’s provocation paper for the Fellowship explains this further:
‘At a time of well recognised climate crisis and limited resources, a time of acknowledgment of societal inequality, when practices of care are being called for, we need a rebalancing of power, and access to power, that is supple, responsive, reflective and in-tune with the natural cycles of our lives. Using a methodology that comes from the land we walk and live on, even eat from, feels congruent with the change we need to make.’
Organisations are also able to contribute learning and thinking to the concept of ReWilding the Arts in a peer learning space.
During the Clore Fellowship, Sovay gained accreditation as a coach with RD1st and now offers coaching alongside mentoring and consultation. Sovay is also joining the board of trustees for Creative Kernow – one of Cornwall’s key creative industries organisations, part funded by Arts Council England and Cornwall Council. The purpose of Creative Kernow is to champion creativity as a positive force for change.
As Sovay reflects on their Fellowship journey they add;
“I found it confirmed a lot for me about how arts and culture works and about the potential for change. I feel more secure in my approach to work, and in what I can contribute to the systemic change that is, slowly, underway.”
You can find out more about Sovay’s journey and plans for ReWilding the Arts on their website.
Kate Maconochie makes the leap to Exec Director of the Marlow Theatre
Kate Mackonochie, Executive Director, The Marlowe Theatre and recipient of the 2023/24 Duffield Fellowship.
Kate Mackonochie joined Marlowe Theatre this April as Executive Director, midway through her Clore Fellowship. Previously she was Director of Producing at Factory International, the organisation behind both Manchester International Festival, and Aviva Studios, the landmark new cultural space in the heart of Manchester.
She talks about how the Fellowship gave her a clearer understanding of the landscape, priorities and installed her with the confidence to make the leap into a new leadership role at Marlowe Theatre.
Kate says: “The Fellowship has been an amazing experience. Having the time and space to focus on my own development was such a luxury, but was equally beneficial in terms of widening my horizons and gaining the confidence to take a career leap.
“I know that I will keep coming back to the fellowship, the fellows in my cohort and the wider fellowship network. My learning has only just really begun. It’s been transformational and I am grateful to Clore Leadership for selecting and supporting me.”
You can read more about Kate’s appointment to the Marlowe Theatre on its website.
Rebecca Atkinson-Lord finds calm and stoicism after her Clore Leadership journey
Rebecca Aktinson-Lord was awarded the 2023/24 Creative Scotland Fellowship.
Rebecca is Artistic Director and Chief Executive at An Tobar and Mull Theatre, a multi-artform creative hub on the Hebridean island of Mull, as well as an award-winning director and writer for theatre and film.
She discusses the personal and professional impact Clore Leadership has had on her journey as a leader in the arts.
“I feel that I have a better understanding of my personal capacities and abilities, which has helped my confidence and drive.”
“I’ve found myself happier and more able to face the challenges of working in the arts and culture sector. Before Clore Leadership I was thinking about leaving it entirely because I was so burned out and disenchanted, but now I am more able to see my professional life as just one part of my identity and I’m better able to identify what I can change and what I can’t – which means I exhaust myself less with impossible battles.
“I’ve met one or two incredibly close friends on the Fellowship and I’ll carry them with me for life. I’ve also gained lots of skills and tactics that have helped me share my new-found calm and stoicism with the team I lead.”
You can find out more about Rebecca’s work at An Tobar and Mull Theatre here.
Charlotte Edmonds talks about her return to the stage and plans for the next year
Charlotte Edmonds is a British choreographer, dancer and filmmaker. She was the 2023/24 Dance Fellow supported by Dancers’ Career Development and The Linbury Trust.
Having trained at The Royal Ballet Lower School, Rambert School, and with a Master’s in Choreography from the Central School of Ballet, Charlotte’s career is built on a solid foundation of expertise.
We caught up with her to hear about her plans for the next year: “In 2025, I will be launching the second series of Cameo, a curated interview platform that showcases the work of female and non-binary choreographers. This new series will also explore strategic approaches for the dance sector, including a letter of intent for the industry.”
Reflecting on her career path, Charlotte shared, “When I first started as a choreographer, I set performing aside. Now, after over a decade in the industry, I’m thrilled to return to the stage alongside my choreographic work, starting this October at Sadler’s Wells as part of the Young Associates Programme Four.”
“Since completing the Clore Fellowship, my focus has been on creating new choreography for live performances across the UK. I’m committed to continuing this journey and hope to bring these projects to fruition in the near future”.
Joyce Nga Yu Lee on imposter syndrome and her PhD on the aesthetics of inclusion
Joyce Nga Yu Lee, was awarded the 2023/24 Theatre Fellowship, supported by the Gatsby Charitable Foundation.
Joyce Nga Yu Lee is a Hong Konger in the UK who has been making and touring work internationally for 20 years. Joyce originally trained as a theatre maker at the University of Leeds and the National Theatre Directors’ Programme.
She talks about the impact the Fellowship has had on her:
“The most significant and lasting impact has been a transformation in my identity. From arriving in this country as a young, working-class immigrant to becoming the Artistic Director of a renowned theatre company, I have continually battled imposter syndrome.
“The Fellowship has helped me affirm my unique leadership qualities and sharpened my skills. Now, grounded with renewed conviction and informed by my lived experiences, I have refocused my energy on leading with both humility and boldness.”
She also shared news about her recent decision to step down as Artistic Director of Mind the Gap, England’s premier learning disability performance and arts company, after deciding it was time for fresh leadership for the company and new adventures. You can read more about this here.
We asked Joyce what was next on her agenda: “I will pursue creative projects entrepreneurially staying ambitious, political and mischievous! I’m also lucky enough to have obtained a scholarship for a practice-based part-time PhD at the University of Leeds, where I’m hoping to consolidate my knowledge on the aesthetics of inclusion.”
Leonardo Menezes on his journey from Rio de Janeiro to the Clore Fellowship and back to portray the Amazon Rainforest
Leonardo Menezes is a Brazilian based exhibition curator, audiovisual director, screenwriter and partner at Outra Onda Content and Guaraná Content. He was awarded a Chevening Fellowship, supported by the Chevening Secretariat at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office.
Leonardo Menezes has recently curated a new temporary and original exhibition, Amazonian BiOCAnomy at SESI Lab – a new science museum in Brasília. The exhibition highlights the power of the bioeconomy in the development of the different Amazon regions, based on the conservation of biodiversity and the reduction of the impacts of climate change.
The exhibition also reflects how the importance of the knowledge of Amazonian populations, such as indigenous people, extractivists and riverside dwellers, combined with scientific knowledge, helps keep the Amazon Rainforest standing.
Leo began developing the exhibition early last year. He talks about the anxious moments balancing the demands of the exhibition throughout his Clore Fellowship up and until its opening earlier this year:
“The development of the exhibition started at the beginning of 2023 and I’ve had to manage many of the curatorial demands regarding exhibits, videos and interactive displays throughout the Clore Fellowship, which at first gave me a bit of anxiety.
“However, with the knowledge shared by the speakers and the courses I have enrolled with during the Fellowship, I have gained knowledge and improved my skills to remain flexible to the demands, especially during my secondment to Whitechapel Gallery.
“Since the end of the Fellowship, I’ve felt more confident with my management skills and able to deliver the contents and reviews needed for the exhibition more effectively.”
From the network Leonardo built during the Fellowship, he has also been invited to curate a touring exhibition, Dance your Freedom, in London, Birmingham and Cardiff this year.
You can discover more about the BIOCAnomy exhibition Leo has curated here.
Andrew Westle shares how the Fellowship helped him become a better advocate for the sector
Andrew Westle is National Programme Manager for The Agency at Battersea Arts Centre and recipient of the 2023/24 Cultural Learning Fellowship. His work defies neat boundaries to include research, socially engaged arts practice, performance, evaluation, writing, and public health.
Andrew looks back on the past year on how the Fellowship has influenced him:
“Through the Clore Fellowship, I’ve had the opportunity to reflect deeply on my leadership journey and refine my approach to fostering collaboration and inclusivity. The Fellowship connected me with a diverse network of individuals across various sectors, from grassroots cultural activists to leaders in mainstream organisations, broadening my perspective and building relationships that will allow me to continue advocating for culture as a central pillar of a healthy society.”
Andrew’s standout experience during the Fellowship was his secondment at Tate Liverpool – which he believes sharpened his skills in audience engagement and sustainable revenue generation while reinforcing the value of adaptability—transferring skills across contexts to drive change.
He also sees the Fellowship as helping him step out of his comfort zone to embrace new opportunities, which has opened doors and evolving opportunities.
“These experiences have not only sharpened my strategic thinking but also helped me develop networks that bridge diverse sectors. Looking ahead, I’m committed to continuing to amplify underrepresented voices and building partnerships that cross sectors like education, healthcare, and beyond.”
“The Fellowship has been transformative, and I’m excited to use this experience to advocate for the cultural sector’s essential role in shaping a more inclusive and equitable society.”
Vicky Fung on music, loneliness and working beyond borders
Vicky Fung is a songwriter, lyricist, singer-songwriter, co-founder of a social enterprise, and an active producer and curator. She was awarded the 2023/24 The Hong Kong Fellowship, supported by the Hong Kong Arts Development Council.
Vicky’s Fellowship journey prompted her to reflect on her core values as a leader – which she has identified as ‘Transformation, Care and Circularity’, as well as helping her understand how coaching can focus her mind on work and family.
After undertaking coaching as part of her Fellowship, Vicky has since become an accredited Relational Dynamics coach. Vicky says of this new accreditation; “I intend to take coaching further by incorporating it into my multiple practices and, in the long term, to support the development of coaching culture in Hong Kong.”
Vicky has always been intrigued by the subject of “loneliness” and during Clore Leadership’s September residential, she was inspired by speaker, Stephen Page, who spoke of his loneliness as a leader. This prompted her to further explore this area and more specifically in the subject of “Loneliness in Leaders” through her provocation paper.
“In August 2024, I launched an arts-based research project titled “Sounds Like Loneliness” which is an “open space” for understanding and exploring loneliness, and will form the basis of an important branch of my work in the years to come.
“Clore Leadership has supported me in my determination to take the subject matter of loneliness further to create artworks or projects which embrace the subject in even deeper and more meaningful ways through my multi-facted practices.”
In August 2024 she was also invited to be part of the teaching crew for a pop culture themed summer school “Hacking Global Pop Icon”. This resulted in 27 international students putting together an exhibition about “Slow Life” in Hong Kong, in just over three weeks.
In June 2024, a music project for the dementia community “Remember The Time We Sing”, created under Vicky’s social enterprise Every Life Is A Song was acknowledged by the Hong Kong Arts Development Council’s with an Arts Promotion and Education Award.
“The Fellowship has prompted me to think about what values are driving me to go forward as an art and cultural leader. With uplifted confidence and clarity brought about by Clore Leadership and encouragement of the award, I believe the radiation of these energies would bring me closer to other like-minded leaders, organizations, partners who could collectively and strategically contribute to the cultural sector and society. Connected by values, it means that I could potentially operate at a much wider scale not limited by art forms, types of practice or borders.”
Matthew Rabagliati on the importance of culture and heritage in addressing 21st century challenges.
Matthew Rabagliati is Head of Policy, Research and Communications at the UK National Commission for UNESCO. He supports the coordination of UK Government and independent experts policy positions at UNESCO. He also leads the Local to Global Programme funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, looking to build a resilient network of UNESCO sites across the UK. He also co-leads with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport the £1.8 million Climate Change and UNESCO Heritage Project funded by the HM Treasury Shared Outcomes Fund. Matthew was a recipient of the Heritage Fellowship, supported by National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Reflecting on his journey before undertaking the Clore Fellowship, Matthew recognised his achievements stemmed largely from working long hours and self-teaching rather than formal training. Matthew found himself looking for a more structured approach to underpin his decisions.
He also recognised the need to move from an internally focused manager to better valuing himself, his contribution, and his ability to drive change across the sector and society. Perhaps most importantly, he was also looking to make a positive shift in his internal monologue to see himself as a leader.
“The Fellowship has completely changed my view of myself and my potential. No longer do I feel completely stuck in an internal dialogue of self-doubt, but really feel that I can make a difference.
“I’ve gone from feeling stuck to being on a path and realising that I have important skills to contribute to the sector going forward. Clore Leadership has given me a solid base for future leadership positions. The most important thing that Clore Leadership has helped me unlock is my passion and willingness to lead.”
Matthew, who originally trained as an archaeologist, has also spent the last seven years researching how places in the UK and internationally are facing a new period of uncertainty as the impact of environmental, economic and social challenges are more acutely felt. He believes culture and heritage are fundamental in bringing people and communities together to help meaningfully address those challenges. This has formed the basis for his provocation for the Fellowship:
“I still firmly believe in the power of culture and heritage to help address interconnected 21st century challenges, and while I may not have all the answers, that shouldn’t prevent me from speaking up and trying to bring about change.”
Our other 2023/24 Fellows were:
- Alan James Burns, is an artist, curator and producer, Arts Council Ireland Fellowship
- Carolyn ML Forsyth, Executive Director and Joint CEO of Talawa Theatre Company, The Transform Fellowship, supported by Arts Council England
- Jay Bhadricha is Head of Programmes at Forward Arts Foundation. The Transform Fellowship, supported by Arts Council England
- Jessica Vaughan, curator and producer, Cultural Learning Fellowship supported by the Clore Duffield Foundation
- John Wilkinson is a multi-award-winning director and dramaturg. The Transform Fellowship, supported by Arts Council England
- Katie Villa is a Devon based freelance Theatre Director, performer, theatre maker and audiobook narrator. The Theatre Fellowship, supported by the Gatsby Charitable Foundation
- Liliane Rebelo is Executive Director of Culture and Society at Cultura Inglesa. Chevening Fellowship, supported by the Chevening Secretariat at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
- Louise White is an independent theatre and performance. The Jerome Hynes Fellowship, supported by Arts Council Ireland
- Lo Wan-Ki, independent transdisciplinary artist and curator based in Hong Kong. The Hong Kong Fellowship, supported by the Hong Kong Arts Development Council
- Deanna Rodger is a former UK Poetry Slam Champion who has performed and facilitated extensively around the world. Excellerate Fellowship
- Makeda McMillan, founded her own youth led arts organization – MakedaMakes, in 2019. Excellerate Fellowship, supported by Arts Council England, the Clore Duffield Foundation and Esmée Fairbairn Foundation
- Molly Nicholson is both an independent producer & executive producer for &Friends LTD. Excellerate Fellowship
Notes to Editors
Clore Leadership is hugely grateful to the many strategic partners who have joined us in driving excellence and innovation in the leadership of culture. Our major funding partners are the Clore Duffield Foundation which initiated the programme in 2003 and Arts Council England, which funds the Fellowship and a range of other Clore Leadership programmes. In 2023/24 we are delighted that the Fellowship Programme also received support from: a-n The Artists Information Company; Arts Council Ireland; the Arts and Humanities Research Council; Chevening Secretariat through the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office; Creative Scotland; Dancers’ Career Development; Esmée Fairbairn Foundation; the Gatsby Charitable Foundation; the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region through Hong Kong Arts Development Council; The Linbury Trust; National Lottery Heritage Fund; and National Trust.
Interviews conducted by Lauren Gildersleve on behalf of Clore Leadership.
