Connect Reflect

Would you like to carve out space to think beyond the daily pressures of your role?

Would you like to connect with, learn from, and build relationships with peers?

Connect Reflect is a programme that provides space for reflection, support, and sharing. It is a direct support response to research undertaken by Clore Leadership into the current challenges facing leaders in the arts and culture sector.

The programme comprises two strands:

Peer Learning Groups

1:1 Coaching

BSL translation of Connect Reflect programme information

Audio recording of Connect Reflect programme information

Background

In 2024, Clore Leadership’s World of Work research explored the current landscape for cultural sector leaders, highlighting the complex and growing demands placed upon them.

In 2025, Arts Council England and the Paul Hamlyn Foundation, as active partners in addressing these challenges, listened to the sector and recognised the urgent need for action. With their funding and support, Clore Leadership launched a small-scale pilot programme of subsidised peer learning and 1:1 coaching support for leaders within NPOs/ IPSOs and Paul Hamlyn Foundation Arts Fund recipients based in England.

In conjunction with Arts Council England we are pleased to be launching another round of support for 2026.

Peer Learning Groups

What are peer learning groups?

Peer Learning Groups are confidential supportive spaces for arts and cultural leaders to come together. A Clore Leadership facilitator works with each group to create space for sharing, reflection, mutual support and exploration of issues and opportunities you face in your leadership role. Peer Learning Groups offer the chance to evolve thinking and solutions, and can actively support your well-being through connecting and learning as a collective.

It was really interesting to have that breadth of experience and insight, but..also..space to feel like we’re not in competition

– previous Peer Learning Group participant

How will it work?

Each group will have up to ten people in, and each group will have three 90-minute sessions working together online. Sessions take place on specified dates at monthly intervals.

Each peer learning group, and the areas explored in each session, will be shaped by its members who will come from differing areas of the cultural sector. Together with your facilitator you will agree how you will work together over your three sessions. Participants will each bring leadership challenges or questions for exploration together as a group, and you will mutually support each other in growing and learning by offering supportive challenge, advice and connection.

What will I take away?

Inspiration, new ideas and new approaches

New connections and potential collaborations

Enhanced communication skills in coaching questions, listening and reflection

1:1 Coaching

What is coaching?

Coaching is individual support to think through your current leadership, role, and context. A qualified coach provides a safe non-judgmental space for self-reflection where you will learn more about yourself, your strengths and how you can work through challenges and opportunities in your professional life. Coaching can play an important part in supporting your well-being as it helps with gaining personal clarity and fulfillment when coping with the demands of the sector.

Coaching during this transition offered a vital anchor and a space to pause, reflect, and re-calibrate

– previous Coaching participant

How will it work?

Participants will have three 1:1 online/telephone coaching sessions that last an hour each. The scheduling of sessions will be agreed directly between participants and coaches.

You will bring a challenge you are facing, theme or area of development you would like to explore with your coach. You will work together to explore what this means for you, strategies you may employ or areas to think further about between sessions. This could involve supporting you to unpick areas of block, areas of recurring challenge or new aspects of your leadership you are wanting to strengthen.

What will I take away?

Inspiration, new ideas and new approaches 
Strengthened connection to your values and ambitions as a leader

Clarity on how you think, feel and act within your leadership role, and/or on future actions or development needs

Programme Eligibility

The programme is open to leaders working for organisations in the arts and culture sector in England. A minimum of 60% of places are allocated for leaders from National Portfolio Organisations or Investment Principles Support Ogranisations.

Leaders can be artistic, executive or both, but must have substantial responsibilities for strategic planning, decision-making and resourcing in their organisation.

Recognising the role that freelancers and volunteers play in leading organisations, the programme is open to those who have a central leadership role.

The opportunity is open to one individual from each organisation for either coaching or peer learning. Larger organisations of 250+ employees can have two employees apply.

Organisations with employees who have previously taken part in Connect Reflect are able to have one further employee apply.

In the event of oversubscription, prioritisation will be given to:

those who have not previously accessed coaching or peer learning support
leaders from the Global Majority and / or who identify as D/deaf, disabled or neurodivergent
leaders who are working in places identified as Arts Council England Priority Places

**Individuals who have previously taken part in Connect Reflect are not eligible to apply again.**

Programme Dates

Connect Reflect runs between May and December 2026.

1:1 Coaching

Individual coaching sessions can take place anytime between May and December 2026. Exact times, dates and pace are mutually agreed between participants and coaches. Places will be confirmed at the end of May and successful participants will be sent a shortlist of up to 3 suitable coaches based on information they have provided during application. Coaches each have their own methodology, approach and style and guidance on how to choose the coach that feels like the right fit will be provided.

Peer Learning Groups

Peer Learning Groups have phased starts across May to December 2026. Listed below are the Spring/Summer Groups with further groups running in Autumn/Winter including groups for D/deaf, disabled, neurodivergent and Global Majority cultural leaders. You will be asked to select your preferred group and schedule when applying.

Facilitator profiles can be found here.

Spring/Summer Groups:

Group A – Monday 8 June / 6 July / 7 Sept, 10:00-11:30am. Facilitated by Prince Taylor

Group B – Tuesday 12 May / 9 June / 7 July, 10:30-12noon. Facilitated by Annette Corbett

Group C – Wednesday 13 May / 24 June / 15 July, 09:00-10:30am. Facilitated by Fearghus Ó Conchúir

Group D – Thursday 7 May / 4 June / 2 July, 10:00-11:30am. Facilitated by Amanda Smethurst

If you are unable to attend any of the Spring/Summer group dates listed – please still apply now – there is an option to request the Autumn/Winter group dates once released.

Programme Fees

We are pleased to be able to offer heavily subsidised rates for participants to take part in the programme:

The fee for Peer Learning is £30 +VAT and is the total cost for all three sessions.

The fee for individual Coaching is £90 +VAT and is the total cost for all three sessions.

How To Apply

1) You can apply to the programme by completing the relevant application form for Peer Learning or Coaching. The application form will ask for your contact information and why you are interested in taking part.

2) We will review application forms after the closing dates and contact you to confirm your place and provide a link for you to make your payment.

3) Once payments has been processed:

Peer Learning Group participants will be sent the joining and preparation instructions for the online sessions.
1:1 Coaching participants will be sent a shortlist of up to 3 suitable coaches based on information provided, and guidance on how to choose the coach that feels like the right fit.

Important notes before applying:

Access – We will work with you and your needs to participate in the programme. You will be asked about any access requirements when you apply. Alternative application formats can be provided or delivered by contacting [email protected].
Commitment – You will need to commit to attending all three Peer Learning or Coaching sessions. Regrettably we aren’t able to replace or reschedule any sessions lost through non-attendance.
One application – You can only apply for one strand of the programme – either Peer Learning Groups or 1:1 Coaching. You cannot apply for both.

Information Session:

If you would like to hear more about Peer Learning or Coaching and/or have any questions about the programme, we are holding an online information session on Wednesday 15 April, 10:00-11:00am on Zoom. If you cannot make the live session, a recording can be made available, just select this option when registering.