Leadership and learning in the arts

Abstract

This account of practice outlines a national programme for current and aspiring leaders in the arts and cultural sector. One of the main constituents of this leadership offer was an intensive six-day action learning facilitator training programme. This account reviews this programme with the help of reflections from two participants, each of whom leads an SME in the East of England. These reflections include their initial perceptions on the impact of action learning ideas on their leadership, considerations of how they might continue to develop as leaders and how they might use action learning in the future development of their companies.

Keywords:

• facilitator training
• leadership
• arts
• cultural sector

Notes

The CLP is a Government funded investment in excellence in leadership across the creative and cultural industries. By supporting an ambitious range of activities and opportunities, the programme aims to nurture and develop world class, dynamic and diverse leaders for the twenty-first century (www.culturalleadership.org.uk).

Action Learning Associates (ALA) was founded in 1998 to promote and develop action learning and has grown to be the UK's leading provider of action learning and training for action learning facilitators within the arts and cultural sector. Working extensively in the voluntary and public sectors, ALA also delivers an Institute of Leadership & Management (ILM) accredited Professional Development Programme in Action Learning Facilitation. The company has 22 Associates based across the UK and in Europe who offer a broad range of action learning and management development expertise (www.actionlearningassociates.co.uk).