Tees Valley Leadership Programme
Clore Leadership, the Tees Valley Mayor and Combined Authority are delighted to be working together on an exciting programme of leadership development opportunities for the cultural sector in the Tees Valley.
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Overview of the Tees Valley Leadership Programme in BSL
Programme overview
Stimulating conversation, developing skills, building confidence and creating space for peer-to-peer connection and collaboration is at the heart of our leadership programme in the Tees Valley. Since the summer of 2022, we are working collaboratively with a diverse mix of cultural organisations, practitioners and networks in the region to deliver a range of programming for leaders and change-makers in the Tees Valley cultural sector.
The programme is for anyone living or working in in the arts, cultural or creative sectors in the Tees Valley. Whether you work for an organisation, independently or as a freelancer this programme can support you to explore different qualities of leadership, enhance your skills, and expand your local and national network.
Through opportunities to connect and learn the Tees Valley programme creates space to explore what leadership means; and to develop some of the essential leadership skills we all need in our toolkits.
We recognise that everyone learns differently. The programme reflects this by offering different types of events and activities for you to engage with. These vary from leadership skills days packed full of tips and advice, to informal talks, practical hands-on group and experimental learning, mentoring and networking.
Programme fees
Some elements of the Tees Valley Leadership Programme are free, others have a ‘pay what you decide’ fee, with a recommended rate of £10 + VAT for individuals and freelancers and £25 + VAT for organisations.
“It was inspiring and warming to feel contained and able to discuss aspects of my creative life with other creatives.”
Tees Valley programme participant 2023
Programme strands
Action Learning Sets – APPLY NOW
We are excited to announce the chance to take part in one of two action learning sets for D/deaf/disabled/neurodivergent and global majority cultural professionals in the Tees Valley region.
View the introduction to the Tees Valley action learning sets in BSL
How to apply
To apply for a place on this free action learning training please fill in this brief application form and tell us a bit more about yourself and your work: https://www.cloreleadership.org/application/tvp-application-action-learning/
The deadline for applications is 9am on Monday 4 December 2023.
Action Learning Set Q&A video
What’s involved
You will receive a half-day of action learning training online via Zoom on Tuesday 23 January, 1 – 4pm and access to up to a further eight 1-hour facilitated sessions running through to summer 2024.
The half-day of online action learning training will provide an introduction to the principles, as well as the tools and skills for the application and practice of action learning. Afterwards there will be the chance to form two action learning sets; each set will have access to up to a further eight 1-hour facilitated sessions.
What is action learning?
Action learning involves a group of individuals getting together in a structured and reflective way hosted by a facilitator to explore their own solutions to live and real challenges/questions. Through listening, reflection and questions, gentle challenge and feedback the group will support, one group member (at a time) to discover insights and solutions to their challenge.
Action learning sets are described as “user-led think tanks” and “a space for peer support and individual reflection”. They are also a great way of getting to know others in your field of work.
Action learning gives people the chance to step away from the pressures of their professional role. To be supported to gain new insight, different perspectives and fresh thinking on an issue. You might have a persistent challenge that won’t go away, or a new idea that you wish to stretch and develop. Equally you may be interested in the process of peer learning and reflection. If so, these action learning sets could be for you.
Who are the action learning sets for?
Up to 8 D/deaf, disabled and neurodivergent and 8 global majority cultural professionals. If you identify as both global majority and D/deaf, disabled and neurodivergent you can choose which of the sets you wish to join.
You must work in any area of the cultural sector in the Tees Valley region as a leader or change-maker, either in an organisation or freelance. Action learning is relevant to any type of role – you could be an artist, producer, be in a senior management role or other.
We are looking for participants who can demonstrate:
- At least 3 -5 years’ work experience in any capacity
- An ambition to lead/ make change in your area of practice, a sense of purpose and vision
- A desire to better understand leadership
- Openness to your own learning and to supporting learning in others
- A commitment to and passion for the cultural sector
- A curiosity as to the wider context of culture and the impact this can have
Places will be allocated fairly to ensure a mix of skills and experience in each group and will be in touch after the deadline to confirm your place.
What will I takeaway?
Participants will come away having:
- Developed an understanding of the principles, uses and practices of action learning
- Developed active listening and effective questioning skills
- Brought an issue or challenge to be explored with your peers
- Developed a new network of peers within your ‘set’
- Explored how to set up your own an action learning set
The online training session will include a mixture of training, practice of skills and reflective content. There will be a short action planning session at the end to help you decide how to put into practice the approaches and skills developed. Following the training session, you will form an action learning set to practice and hone your action learning skills.
Access
The training and action learning sets will be delivered online via Zoom. You will be asked about any access requirements you may have to take part when you apply. This might include (but isn’t limited to) live speech to text captioning, provision of or support for the costs for BSL interpretation; notetaking or audio description. If you would like a conversation with a member of our team before making your application, or would like support in completing the application form please email [email protected]
Facilitators
Prince Taylor
Creative Producer is the easiest way to describe Prince’s work. Taking on different roles dependent on the shape of the collaboration, Prince ensures the power of storytelling remains focal and enhances the experience being designed. A lot of his work is informed by research into leadership, intersectionality, inclusion and education. Having worked with organisations such as The Watershed, The RWA and Rising Arts Agency, Arnolfini, East London Dance and The Arts Council, his most recent work with CARGO Movement is focused on delivering resources that will innovate how representation in education is approached at a strategic and governance level.
Sarah Pickthall
Sarah is a consultant, trainer and accredited executive coach with specialisms in disability, diversity and inclusion. With over 25 years of experience across, arts, culture, heritage, creative media, digital and education, Sarah’s work is dedicated to ensuring a broad range of voices and opinions are represented and included in the creative and cultural fabric of the UK and beyond. Sarah was one of the first women to train in Japanese Kabuki theatre and dance in Tokyo. A former television writer, performer and puppeteer for the Media Merchants, for CITV, Sarah joined Arts Council England in 2004 working in Disability Development and was the first Chair of its Disabled Workers Group.
Mentoring Programme
An exciting opportunity for six cultural leaders or change-makers in the Tees Valley region to be matched with a mentor, to build confidence, navigate current professional challenges and to plan next steps within their chosen career path. Applications to our 2023 round of mentoring have now closed. Keep an eye out for new mentoring opportunities launching in 2024.
Annual Gathering
The annual gathering is a space to connect with peers in the Tees Valley. We will share learning and experiences from the programme so far and take a deep dive into specific themes and conversations around leadership. The next Tees Valley gathering will take place on the 6 March 2024 at ARC, Stockton, sign up will open in January 2024.
Leadership Experiences
Series of free hosted conversations where cultural leaders and change-makers share their leadership stories with you. These sessions are packed full advice and tips on themes ranging from equity, diversity and inclusion, socially engaged practice, co-creation, education, network development and more.
Experts in the cultural sector will share practical learning rooted in both success and challenge that you can take-away and apply to your own leadership practice. These are informal sessions with plenty of opportunity for discussion and the chance to connect with speakers and peers.
Leadership Experiences are free events that place quarterly, either online or in-person, in the Tees Valley. Due to the conversational format of the sessions, they will not be recorded when online.
Upcoming speakers:
Vici Wreford-Sinnott, Founder Little Cog
8 December 2023, 11 – 12.30pm [Online] – sign up now closed
Vici is a disabled writer and director for stage and screen and a leading campaigner for the Disability Arts Movement. She will share her experience as a leader championing the cultural equality of disabled people and founding the production company Little Cog.
Leadership Skills Days
Testimonials
“I feel like I walk taller and lighter after this skills day.”
“Excellent session. Thorough, informative, responsive, interactive, consistent energy levels and great engagement throughout. 6 out of 5.”
“It certainly left me feeling more confident that leadership was something I could consider and that I already had some of the qualities that make a good leader.”
“… it has exposed and highlighted what my strengths are and where I need to consciously keep working and this is brilliant insight to have…”
Skills day participants 2023
These practical stand-alone leadership skills days will help you hone and craft your essential leadership skills. They are packed full of useful advice, tips and take-aways that you can apply to your own leadership no matter what the context. They will help you to reflect on different leadership styles and approaches and understand your own unique strengths and values as a leader.
The days will be led by an inspiring range of Clore Leadership contributors who all have their own unique expertise to share with you. The content will be grounded in group and experiential learning, so come along prepared to dive in.
You can pick and choose which skills day/s to sign-up for based on your needs and interests, you are welcome to attend one or multiple sessions.
The skills days in 2024 will run from 10 – 4pm in venues across the Tees Valley.
- Finance for leaders, Tom Wilcox, Senior Partner and Founder, Counterculture, 8 May 2024
- Strategic Planning, Anna Dinnen, Arts Consultant, 17 May 2024
- Governance, the Basics, Keith Arrowsmith, Senior Partner, Counterculture, 11 July 2024
- The Wellbeing Choice, Speaker tbc, 17 October 2024
- Confident Communications, Sarah Cartwright, Executive Coach and Trainer, 12 November 2024
Who are the days for?
To access the skills days, you must live and/or work in the Tees Valley as a freelancer or for an organisation in the cultural sector. The days are equally valuable to freelancers, artists and practioners and those who work within an organisation.
Each day will bring together a diverse range of people who will bring a breadth of experience and animate the group learning. To help us create the best possible mix of people we encourage people to sign up who can demonstrate:
- At least 3 -5 years’ work experience
- A desire to better understand leadership
- An ambition to lead, a sense of purpose and vision
- Self-awareness, authenticity and openness to learning
- A commitment to and passion for the cultural sector
- A curiosity as to the wider context of culture
If the days become over-subscribed, we will allocate spaces fairly to ensure a mix of skills and experience in each group.
Fees
The fee for each leadership skills day is on a pay what you decide basis, with a minimum rate of £10 + VAT for individuals; £25 + VAT for organisations.
A light lunch and tea/ coffee will be provided.
If you have any access requirements, please do let us know via the sign up form.
How to apply
Sign up to our 2024 skills days will open in January 2024.
Leadership with Care – BOOKING OPEN
Embedding Care in your Leadership
18 January 2024, 11 -1pm
Online via Zoom
A practical and creative 2-hr online session led by Jo Verrent, Director, Unlimited and Jo Hunter, CEO, 64 Million Artists. They will reflect on what care means to them as leaders and share their experience of authentically embedding cultures of care within their own organisations – sharing both successes and failures. You will explore what care can mean for yourself and others and be supported to model your own approach to care-led leadership via practical workshop activities.
How to book your place
You can book your ticket for this session here.
The fee is on a ‘pay what you decide basis’, with a minimum advised rate of £10 + VAT for individuals; £25 + VAT for organisations. The deadline for booking is 9am on the 8 January 2024.
Who is this session for?
To access the session, you must live and/or work in the Tees Valley as a freelancer or for an organisation in the cultural sector. This session is valuable to a range of roles and levels of experience, whether you are a freelancer, artist, practioner or work within an organisation.
We encourage you to get involved if you have:
- At least 3 years work experience in any capacity
- An ambition to lead/ make change in your area of practice, a sense of purpose and vision
- A desire to better understand leadership
- Openness to your own learning and to supporting learning in others
- A commitment to and passion for the cultural sector
- A curiosity as to the wider context of culture and the impact this can have
What will I takeaway?
You will come away inspired, having gained insight, practical tips and takeaways on care-centred leadership and ideas on how to apply this to your own context. As part of the session you will receive a practical resource designed to help frame your thinking and map your own approach that you can takeaway and re-use as part of your leadership toolkit.
Access
The 2-hr session will be delivered online via Zoom. You will be asked about any access requirements you may have when you sign-up. This might include (but isn’t limited to) live speech to text captioning, provision of or support for the costs for BSL interpretation; notetaking or audio description. If you would like a conversation with a member of our team before booking please email [email protected]
Facilitators
Jo Hunter
Jo Hunter is the Founder and CEO of 64 Million Artists, a social enterprise inviting everyone in the UK to explore their creative potential and use it to challenge the status quo. Since they were founded in 2014, they have run bespoke programmes and nationwide campaigns for individuals, communities and leaders across schools, universities, whole cities, workplaces, cultural institutions and health and government bodies. They experiment with different ways to reconnect people with their creativity and work to understand and explore how creativity impacts positive change. Over 50,000 people take part in their January Challenge each year and they are well known for prioritising well-being, working a 4 day week and taking August off each year.
Previously Jo was Head of Strategic Development at Battersea Arts Centre, Senior Artistic Associate at Harbourfront Centre Toronto and Head of Funded Programmes at Sing Up. She also started her career in the circus and is a former presenter of BBC’s Why Don’t You? She was a Clore Fellow in 2014/15 and is a fellow of the Salzburg Leadership Forum.
Jo Verrent
Jo believes that ‘different’ is delicious not divergent. She works in arts & culture at strategic levels embedding the belief that diversity adds texture, turning policy into real action. Jo is director of Unlimited, with a mission to commission extraordinary work from disabled artists until the whole of the cultural sector does. Funded by Arts Council England, Arts Council of Wales, Creative Scotland, Paul Hamlyn Foundation and the British Council, it commits for this work to change and challenge the world.
Jo is an artist, creating Take Me to Bed with Luke Pell, co-founding Sync with Sarah Pickthall, and is a granny.
General eligibility criteria
To access the Tees Valley programme you must live and/or work in the Tees Valley as a freelancer or for an organisation in the cultural sector.
We are looking for a diverse range of participants who will bring a breadth of experience to the programme and animate the group learning. To help us create the best possible mix of people we will be looking for people who can demonstrate:
- 3 –5 years’ work experience
- A desire to better understand leadership and make change
- An ambition to lead, a sense of purpose and vision
- Self-awareness, authenticity and openness to learning
- A commitment to and passion for the cultural sector
- A curiosity as to the wider context of culture
