Who is this programme for?

You will be a learning and engagement professional in the arts and cultural sector in the West Midlands who is either active as a leader in your field or aspiring to be so, who wants to:

  • Be more influential in your current work and make a bigger impact.
  • Build confidence in your own leadership potential.
  • Be an aspiring and inspiring leader in the sector.
  • Be part of a wider regional network.

What will this programme do for you?

  • Help develop personal leadership and organisational effectiveness
  • Help develop and deepen self-awareness and awareness of others to build productive relationships
  • Increase understanding of the broader context for Arts and Culture in the region and build networks to benefit the sector and Children and Young People

How we define leadership

In the arts and cultural sector, in common with other areas of work, people with all levels of experience lead in different ways, we define leaders as people who:

  • Influence the direction of the work they and others provide for children and young people
  • Create ideas and motivate others to join in and commit to their project
  • Devise learning programmes for children and young people
  • Manage teams of workshop leaders and artists
  • Manage freelance staff
  • Develop relationships with partner organisations to achieve common aims
  • Develop and manage relationships with funding organisations and sponsors

The programme breakdown

The core leadership programme consists of 4 sessions

Session 1 – Personal leadership, self-awareness and working with others

  • Understanding self and others, valuing diversity
  • Learning and leading – styles
  • Cultures and environments to thrive in
  • Vision and values (motivation and purpose)
  • Leadership and management

Session 2 – Leading through influence

  • Increasing influence in your organisation or with your clients
  • Influence in meetings, Improving communication and self-presentation
  • Empowering self and others
  • Developing a coaching style / nurturing curiosity

Session 3 – Political skills Understanding the political context and relationships

  • Impact of the wider policy context (role of the market, Arts and Education policy and social policy in the region
  • Power of networks and networking skills
  • Negotiating skills – working across the system
  • Leadership in partnerships

Session 4 – Change management and resilience

  • Leadership in managing change
  • Supporting self and others through change
  • Learning and resilience
  • Understanding resistance
  • Having difficult, essential conversations

Dates 2022 and venue

We are running two leadership programmes in 2022, each programme lasting 4 days in total:

First Programme

  • 13th and 14th Jan
  • 10th Feb
  • 9th March

Second Programme

  • 26th and 27th April
  • 14th June
  • 7th July

Taking place at The Studio in Birmingham city centre. Times to be confirmed.

Cost and the application process

The programme is free, but you must be working in the West Midlands to qualify for this.

To apply you will need to complete our form which will ask you to tell us about:

  • Your interest in leadership development and your readiness now
  • How will you want to benefit from the programme
  • How will your organisation and/or people you work with benefit

You will also need a statement of support from your line manager or, if working as an individual sole trader or in a small partnership, your referee. Your line manager or referee is someone who can tell us why you are ready for leadership development and how they can support you.

Get in touch

Please contact, Susan Goodwin, Associate Director Cultural Sector Partnerships if you are interested in applying or need further information or details.