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Place-based cultural leadership interventions across the Tees Valley in 2023 & 2024

A group of people engaged in a discussion

Clore Leadership, the Tees Valley Mayor and Combined Authority are pleased to be launching a programme of place-based leadership interventions for the cultural sector in the Tees ValleyLeveraging funding from Arts Council England and local authorities across the region, the programme will see strategic interventions over the next two years designed to support and embed cultural leadership learning.

Working collaboratively with key organisations, cultural practitioners & networks across the region since the summer of 2021, Clore Leadership will pilot a new strand of programming that responds to leadership & workforce development needs in the Tees Valley cultural sector. We will be supporting progression routes and pipeline development for arts and cultural leaders in each of the five local authorities, strengthening peer networks, driving cross-sector collaboration, diversifying the workforce and supporting the recovery of cultural venues & freelancers. Critically, this project will prioritise the upskilling of local facilitators, coaches and trainers, ensuring a legacy beyond the scope of Clore Leadership’s direct involvement. 

We held public consultations to inform programme development across autumn 2022, with roundtable events in Middlesbrough and Hartlepool backed up through an online survey of those working in the cultural sector. This feedback has fed into the design of our interventions, which will take place from February 2023 onwards, focusing on two overarching strands:

  • Connection – mentoring and networking (gathering)
  • Learning – leadership skills and governance

Specific programme elements include:

  • Development of a TV network – open to all; with thematic sessions around leadership.
  • Facilitator development – including opportunities for people to shadow Clore Leadership facilitators
  • Mentoring programme, with training offers for mentors and mentees
  • Action learning sets, including groups specifically targetting Deaf/disabled & global majority practitioners
  • Leadership skills workshops covering topics such as: Authentic leadership; Wellbeing and resilience; Strategic planning; Artists as leader; Influence & Impact
  • Fireside chat leadership conversations, with a mix of local/ national leaders
  • Support for governance development, in collaboration with ARC Stockton

The full programme of activity is being launched on 31st January 2023 at 2pm, at an event hosted by Theatre Hullabaloo in Darlington. The launch will include a welcome from Hilary Carty, Executive Director of Clore Leadership; and a representative of the Tees Valley Combined Authority. We will be joined by guest speakers, including project manager Anna Byrne and creative director Liam Slevin from The Auxiliary in Middlesbrough.  Registration for the event can be made at the following link.

Annabel Turpin, ARC’s Chief Executive and Artistic Director and co-chair of the Combined Authority’s Creative Place Advisory Group, said: “We have a wealth of talent and ambition in our cultural sector which, with the right support, can become much more than the sum of its parts. This programme will help nurture, connect and inform our creatives at every level, giving them the tools they need to grow, collaborate and be successful for years to come.”

Hilary Carty, Clore Leadership Executive Director said: “We are excited to tap into the great talent and ambition in the Tees Valley, working collaboratively to build capacity and enhance skills, abilities and promise for leading culture. This connected approach to place-based development, in collaboration with Tees Valley Combined Authority, local Councils and creative leaders, is a natural extension of our national output and reinforces our mission to foster a society enriched by culture and creativity through innovative and excellent leadership.  We are delighted to model the benefits of this work in the region, and look forward to sharing our own learning through this project to encourage similar initiatives around the UK and internationally.”

Leanne Littlewood, Acting Head of Culture, Middlesbrough Council said: “Middlesbrough Council are delighted to be working with Clore Leadership on their place-based programme for the Tees Valley. This is a wonderful opportunity to respond to the specific training and development needs of our brilliant cultural sector so that we build capacity, strengthen networks, diversify our workforce and promote greater collaboration across the sector”

Editors Notes:

PR contact: For interviews, press preview RSVPs and further information please contact:

Clore Leadership contact – Rebecca Usher:
TVCA Press contact – Alex Metcalfe.

The project is being funded by Local Authority partners in the Tees Valley, the Tees Valley Mayor and Combined Authority; Middlesbrough Council; Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council; Darlington Borough Council.

Themes Alumni Journeys Hard Skills