Arts Leadership – Page 6 – LARSEN

And another thing: artists leaving arts practice

Welcome to ‘and another thing’, my brand new series on things that interest or infuriate me – exclusively for my amazing Patreon followers.

This one starts with a recent ArtsHub article on Theatre Network Australia’s report that says 51% of independent artists are currently considering a career change.

Tears for peers: the hidden costs of arts funding

Across Australia, hundreds of arts organisations are currently awaiting the outcome of expressions of interest for four-year funding from Australia Council for the Arts. In Warrang/Sydney meeting-rooms, teams of subcontracted industry advisors are being assembled in their respective artforms to advise Council on which applications are eligible to go through to second and final stage of their decision-making process.

We can do better than Boards

Following my collaboration on AICSA’s Rethinking Arts Governance event last year, I articulated some issues arts organisations have with arts Boards and shared examples of Boards making the best of the current situation.

In doing so, it became depressingly clear that our sector has learned how to bend without breaking when it comes to arts governance. But if the cause of most of our Arts Boards’ dysfunction is the governance model itself, perhaps a break is what we need – to throw the model out and start again.

And another thing: self care isn’t selfish

Welcome to my first ‘and another thing’ vlog for 2023.

This one builds on Employment Hero’s new Wellness at Work report and my recent Artshub article for those in need of a New Year creative reset.

And another thing: reviving Australian cultural policy

So, Australia has a brand-new National Cultural Policy. And, you know what? I think it’s pretty great.

My latest ‘and another thing’ vlog walk the line between cautious optimism and being a critical friend.

National Cultural Policy revives unfamiliar hope

Yesterday’s National Cultural Policy launch, dubbed Revive by the Federal Government, promised ‘a new era for Australia’s arts, entertainment and cultural sector’ and delivered much-needed optimism at a time when the stakes for artists, arts organisations and audiences have never been so high.

New Year creative reset

It’s time to practise radical self-compassion and care. These tips from me and creative coach Clare Travis should help you do just that.

Boards can do better

In the first part of my Bad, Better and Beyond Best Practice report from AICSA’s Rethinking Arts Governance event in October 2022, I identified the main reason organisations have Boards as that we’re required to do so.

While I’d dearly like our sector to imagine a radically different future for arts governance, the truth is – in the meantime – we’re stuck with what we’ve got.

Bad, better and beyond best practice

In October 2022, the Arts Industry Council of South Australia invited me to lead a full day of discussions at their Bad, Better and Beyond Best Practice: Rethinking Arts Governance event.

What does ‘less is necessary’ look like?

It’s been a difficult few years for everybody. With the pandemic joining floods, bushfires and nearly a decade of arts funding cuts, Australia’s arts sector has never been more vulnerable.

As a result, we now find ourselves in the midst of a new crisis: one characterised by sector-wide burnout, staff shortages, ‘post’-pandemic exhaustion, and breaking (or already broken) teams. Which puts a whole generation of artists and arts leaders at risk.