There has been a problem with leadership in the arts for some years ? a problem brought into sharp focus by the turmoil at The Abbey (p3). It is a problem that the widely-praised Clore Leadership Programme, serving as it does only 20 or 30 people a year (see AP issue 100, 20 June), can go only a short way to addressing. Something bigger, bolder and more wide-reaching needs to be done. And the Government has put the money in place to do it (p1). £12m is a lot of cash in anyone?s language: enough to build a huge gallery, redesign an exhibition space or stage several hundred small-scale theatre tours. And it is being spent on leadership, in the arts, over a period of just two years. The big question, though, is what happens after that?
The current crop of arts leaders will benefit directly from the training and guidance that will no doubt emerge as a result of the cash injection, and receive a learning boost and probably a salary boost to match that will see them nicely through the next few years; but what then? Current leaders will retire, board members will move on and, at the same time, thinking and practice will evolve. The point of additional training is to hone skills and refresh knowledge and expertise. It isn?t something that can be done once and then set aside.
Historically, arts organisations have undervalued staff development and, while the industry as a whole fails to emphasise the value of training, nothing will change. The new leadership programme could bring about a sea-change in industry practice but to do so, it is essential that it has a legacy. Arts Council England is right to look beyond the two-year lifespan of this tranche of money and set the long-term objective of ?ensuring current actions have long-term benefits.? Making continuing professional development a condition of funding for core-funded arts organisations might do the trick. Until those who run today?s arts organisations are persuaded and supported in raising the levels of professional practice throughout their own organisations, the scheme?s steering group will have a challenge on its hands. It will be no mean feat to set up programmes that serve not only this generation but also the next, and the next, and the next ?
Liz Hill and Brian Whitehead, Co-editors