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Values and Assumptions in the Concept of Cultural Leadership

This paper http://iafor.org/Proceedings/ECAH/ECAH2013_proceedings.pdf takes a critical approach to the field of cultural leadership, which has emerged as a key developmental area in cultural policy during the last decade in the UK and internationally. The text critically examines the history, scope and direction of the field with reference to key literature, sectoral initiatives and public policy. It is a collaboration between three authors at Gray’s School of Art, whose relationship is that of PhD candidate (Price) and co-supervisors (Douglas and Harris).

Harris approaches the subject as a communication/media specialist, and from the perspective of a senior cultural leader as Head of Gray’s. His contribution includes articulating the differences between artistic leadership and broader cultural sector categories, clarifying usage of these contested terms. He also informs understanding of contemporary political contexts and the emergence of particular agendas in Scotland as distinct from the UK generally. Harris participated in the Art & Democracy debate at Gray’s in March 2013, led by Price alongside Francois Matarasso (http://discussionsart.wordpress.com/2013/03/13/art-and-democracy-2/), which informed the political analysis and research questions. Original research was carried out through interviews forming part of the doctoral programme, with all authors contributing to the selection of interviewees, framing and analysis. The final text was developed collaboratively through face to face discussions and electronic exchange of drafts.

This material specifically informs critique of assumptions prevalent in the field and the limitations of current policy formulations, building on previous research undertaken at Gray’s (Douglas and Fremantle 2009). It is relevant to policy makers and researchers as well as politically engaged artists and cultural sector training providers. It underpins Price’s ongoing doctoral research (supervised by Harris and Douglas) and informs a new collaborative paper, “The ethical dimensions of cultural policy”, presented at the International Conference on European Culture (International University of Catalonia, Barcelona, October 2013).