Arts Leadership – Page 5 – LARSEN

Palestine governance resources in The Commons

The rushed and fumbled public statements made by Australian arts and cultural organisations in response to the ongoing genocide in Palestine have made failure the status quo on matters of risk and crisis management, financial sustainability and duty of care – including the statements many have made with their silence.

A collection of my provocations on Palestine as a governance issue have been collated and republished The Commons Social Change Library.

The Relationship is the Project is out now

Huge thanks to all who came out (or logged on) for last night’s Naarm/Melbourne launch of The Relationship is the Project. So grateful. So proud. You can now ask for a copy at your local library or bookshop, or order one online.

Dear arts organisations

Amongst everything else, the last several months have been a crash course for boards, leaders and organisations in risk and reputation management, crisis communications and duty of care from the pointy intersection of arts and human rights advocacy.

Inspired by my recent vlog series on why boards need to talk about Palestine (but applicable more broadly), here’s my attempt at framing the sorts of conversations going on amidst the hurt and panic, best and battered intentions, solidarity and silences right now.

News from The RITP team

We are THRILLED to reveal the beautiful new cover design for the second edition of The Relationship is the Project, designed by the amazing Reg Abos of Studio Regina.

My 2023 writing year

In a nothing-short-of-extraordinary writing year, 2023 included the launch of my debut poetry collection, completion of the next edition of The Relationship is the Project, self-publication of my grandmother’s memoir, neiphling’s picture book and family musical, articles in three literary journals, new poems in print and online, and more.

Have your say on the arts in SA

The South Australian Government has announced plans to redevelop its long-term vision for the state’s arts, culture and creative sector. SA artists, arts workers, arts lovers and audiences are encouraged to have your say.

And another thing: the politics of publishing

As I mentioned at my Warrane/Sydney launch of Public.Open.Space. in November 2023, the sad state of the world makes it uncomfortable to talk about book stuff right now, which has made me even more grateful that my book is about control and protest, silencing and speaking up.

Because writers, artists, anyone with a platform, and anyone living on or benefiting from unceded land have an obligation to use our platforms to do so, to listen, learn, interrogate that learning, insist on media justice and speech free of bias and hate, and to recognise and act on our responsibilities.

Have your say on the Modern Awards Review

Due next Monday (4 December 2023), the Modern Awards Review 2023-2024 is a pivotal opportunity to improve workplace rights and entitlements for the arts and cultural sector.

In a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it consultation period, the Fair Work Commission has invited submissions from artists, arts workers and organisations to investigate potential gaps in arts and cultural sector employment terms and remuneration.

Beyond the governance gaps

Past and present board members and those who support our boards—I want to thank you. In the machine of arts, cultural and not-for-profit governance you are one of our most necessary cogs: legislated, expected and required. From statutory authorities to volunteer-run collectives, you underpin all of our work.

The skills you must wield are varied and plentiful, yet your presence, consideration and time receive little or no remuneration—and often little thanks. But your work is a literal gift, an extraordinary, mandated generosity—without which our organisations would not be allowed to exist.

And another thing: less is (still) necessary

On the one-year anniversary of my #LessIsNecessary campaign, my latest instalment of ‘and another thing’ is about our ongoing workforce crisis and the regressive nonsense of employers wanting to punish workers for standing up for their rights.