This programme brings together current and emerging leaders from across the arts and cultural education sector to respond to a shared challenge: how to sustain and strengthen cultural education leadership.
Leading With Purpose seeks to strengthen leadership development for cultural educators, equipping leaders with the skills, knowledge, and networks to make cultural education more sustainable, inclusive, and future-ready. By embedding leadership development within cultural practice, we hope that the next generation of cultural leaders is empowered to advocate for the arts, build lasting partnerships, and sustain meaningful engagement in an ever-changing educational and policy landscape.
Cultural education leaders are doing some of the most complex, under-recognised work in the sector—navigating systems, holding communities, and enabling young people to access & shape culture. Yet too often they do this in isolation, without shared language, visibility, or collective power.
Who do we mean when we talk about cultural educators?
"Cultural educators are the people who design, deliver, support or enable cultural learning. They work across a wide range of roles and contexts and may be based in schools, local authorities, arts organisations, museums, libraries, local authorities, health, youth services, or freelance practice" - Dr David Parker, Speaking the Same Language
This programme aims to support cultural educators to connect, reflect, and act together—strengthening not just individual practice, but the future of the sector itself.
Across the programme through events and publications we hope participants will:
- develop clearer ways to articulate the value of their work
- explore new approaches to leadership rooted in equity and participation
- connect with others navigating similar challenges
- contribute to shaping a shared direction for the field
