Leadership

Leadership is a set of behaviours and skills that involve inspiring and motivating individuals and teams to achieve a common goal. In the creative sector, leadership covers a broad spectrum of roles, including senior curators, producers, directors, and others who drive artistic vision and innovation, alongside more familiar leadership roles such as Human Resource Managers, Chief Executive Officers, and Chief Operating Officers. New roles such as Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Managers or Leads have become more popular in recent years as well.

Leaders in the creative sector shape the creative output as well as the strategic, operational, and cultural direction of their organisations. Unique to the arts, screen and creative sectors, these leaders shape stories, narratives, and representations that influence cultural expression and social perspectives, adding another layer of impact to their leadership responsibilities. 

Contrary to popular belief, leadership can be learned. After all, it is something you do, not something you are. Indeed, the Center for Creative Leadership defines leadership as a social process. That is, leadership does not take place in isolation; rather, it shapes, and is shaped by, different relationships, cultures and systems.

In particular, a decolonising, or uncolonising, approach to leadership encourages the expression and embodiment of knowledge that has been passed on by Indigenous ways of knowing and believing. This involves the prioritisation of self-knowledge and self-reflection, the empowerment and centring of community as well as a collective approach through inclusion.

A decolonising, or uncolonising, approach requires an acknowledgement and response to the ongoing systematic colonisation of Indigenous peoples and the impacts that Eurocentrism has had on the planet for the past 500 years. This website focuses on ethno-cultural, migrant, refugee and minority ethnic racial equity in the arts and creative sector. Working with First Nations communities and cultural material requires very specific frameworks, protocols and standards that this website does not attempt to address. Find out more.

Ultimately, leaders in the creative sectors play a significant role in decision making, influencing priorities, setting agendas, gatekeeping and shaping organisational culture. If you are a leader in the arts, you have a responsibility to ensure your organisation and practice is inclusive. You can do this by considering questions such as:

• Who is present at the table? Who is not present?
• Whose voice is heard? Whose voice is not heard?
• Who is able to access this space? Who is not able to access this space?

Asking these questions shows a commitment to inclusivity, and to being an ally. Being an ally is not something that you naturally ‘are’, but requires using your power and privilege to support and uplift underrepresented and marginalised groups – which a good leader does. This is an important aspect of leadership, where those in power should enable historically marginalised people to also be able to become leaders.

More generally, practical skills for leadership include active listening, learning to manage difficult conversations as well as inviting and considering feedback. Another important skill is to be able to reflect and explore your own values, to ensure that they are evident in the works you are presenting or exhibiting, as well as in the organisation you are leading.