The UK has an enviable international reputation for its world-class, well-led cultural and creative industries. A dynamic period of growth has resulted in exceptional productivity, innovation and creative ways of working. That expansion is set to continue. Between 2004 and 2014 employment in the cultural and creative industries is expected to grow by over 200,000. Two-thirds of that growth will be in senior
positions.
The Cultural Leadership Programme has been working with those in the sector to identify our professional development needs. Meeting the Challenge puts forward proposals for a dynamic leadership infrastructure to enable our cultural and creative organisations to continue to deliver the creative excellence for which we are renowned.
Historically the UK’s cultural and creative industries have underinvested in developing existing and new leaders. Whereas the public and private sectors invest 1-3% of turnover in professional development the cultural sector has invested considerably less. In 2006/07 Arts Council England’s 1,000 regularly funded organisations invested on average just 0.3% of their turnover.
Levels of investment are beginning to change with the establishment of a range of professional development programmes. In 2006 the Cultural Leadership Programme was launched with a budget of £12m. It has been delivered by a strategic partnership between Arts Council England, Museum Libraries and Archive Partnership, and Creative and Cultural Skills and has been awarded a further £10m to invest in cultural leadership development between 2008 and 2011.
Meeting the Challenge draws on extensive research conducted within and outside the cultural and creative industries and on an analysis of the lessons learned during the Cultural Leadership Programme’s first phase of activity. It identifies priorities for supporting and developing current and future leaders.
These include the development of a strategic framework for professional development; a focus on diagnostic analysis and the personcentred approach; investing in non-executive leadership; embracing and delivering diversity; using bespoke delivery models; valuing workbased learning and networks; transferring learning from the cultural and creative industries; and developing international opportunities and entrepreneurial approaches. The Cultural Leadership Programme is committed to using its resources to work with other partners, organisations and individuals to deliver those priorities.
Culture helps define, shape and deepen our lives. It also makes a considerable contribution to the UK’s economic prosperity and wellbeing. As this significant part of our economy continues to grow, we need to do more to attract, develop, and mobilise our cultural and creative leaders.
The launch of MTC provides an opportunity to contribute to the debate on the strengths and development needs of our cultural and creative industries and to shape the forward agenda for change and sustainability.
