Space for Change

Peer learning opportunity for creative learning leaders interested in creating more inclusive, equitable & sustainable work

Reflection. Disruption. Exchange.

Space for Change is a peer learning group focused on sharing and developing practice and addressing current challenges facing the sector. The programme is designed for leaders in the field of creative learning who want to do things differently, improve their work, and seek inspiration from their peers.

This will be an intimate space for reflection, developing your practice, and overcoming challenges. We will curate a dynamic, forward-thinking, and solutions-focused cohort, with a focus on building professional resilience, making connections, and discovering renewed purpose.

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2023-2024 theme: Arts and Schools

The programme will focus on how to advance your practice and strategic programme building with schools. We are looking to convene a group of cultural sector leaders who want to re-invigorate and strengthen their offer for, and connections with, schools and educational settings. During the programme you will use the recent Calouste Gulbenkian The Arts in Schools: Foundations for the Future report published by A New Direction, as a call to action for the cultural sector.

The Arts in Schools: Foundations for the Future report places a spotlight on the possibilities for the arts education. It reminds us of the systemic challenges, whilst also providing a space to continue our work and shape our sector’s relationship with schools and settings. We are interested in leaders who have some expertise to offer in this space as well as something to learn.

View the report

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Find out more

• Who is this programme for?

  Creative Learning leaders whose work is focused on children and young people within arts and cultural organisations. Whether you are a freelance practitioner, leading a department, or running a company, this group is open to all those who have influence to make change possible. It is open to all artforms and artistic practice.

  In the past 12 months we’ve worked with leaders from the following companies:

  Alexandra Palace, Artichoke, Arts Emergency, Barbican, Bow Arts Trust, British Museum, CBSO, Culture Mile, The Drawing Room, Fresh Arts, Global Learning London, National Theatre, October Gallery, Peer UK, Philharmonia, Pitzhanger Manor and Gallery, Playing On, Polka, Pop-Up Projects, Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration, Roundhouse, Royal Museums Greenwich, Shobana Jeyasingh Dance, Somerset House, Sound Connections, Spotlight, THAMES, The Yard, Young Vic, Whitechapel Gallery, Wigmore Hall.

• What will the programme involve?

  Space for Change sessions will explore issues and address areas of priority for the creative learning sector, with space for reflection and discussion. There will also be self-led buddying-tasks for you to complete in your own time, designed to help you reflect on learning, embed changes, and improve your work.

  At the end of the six-month programme, there will be a sector-wide celebration to gather the learning and reflections from the programme.

  This programme is free to access.

• Who is leading the programme?

  Sheryl Malcolm is an experienced Theatre Practitioner with over 20 years experience of delivering a variety of education and arts projects within statutory, community and voluntary settings across London, as both a freelance practitioner and Participation Manager.

  
  She has worked extensively with a variety of communities and organisations across the city, including Pegasus Opera Company, Young Vic, Theatre Centre, Lewisham Youth Theatre, Emergency Exit Arts, Roundhouse, The Albany and National Theatre Learning. She has also taught at the University of East London and Central School of Speech and Drama.

• Quotes from last cohort
  • “It’s been a lifeline at times! I’m in a senior role and wouldn’t get a chance to speak to someone on [PLG] in my work at such depth.”
  • “So impressed with everyone else. Really brilliant group of people”
  • “Having a group of peers is invaluable. Even though I have a team, I can’t share everything with them. Working with a group of peers is cathartic, nourishing and practical.
  • “It’s been really creative and I don’t get a lot of opportunities to be creative in terms of how I think and reflect. I struggle to get into that headspace during my daily work, so that is really good”
  • “It’s been amazing, really challenging, and eye-opening.”
  • “I have approached difficult conversations at work with more strength and less worry.”
  • “I feel that taking time to pause, think, strategise, and rebuild better has been really useful. The mix of professionals you brought together was amazing.”
  • “A chance to connect on a number of complex and urgent issues.”
  • “I really enjoyed taking time out to meet and speak to other people in the sector and the guest speakers were really inspiring. I don’t want it to end!”
  • “Nice to have space to reflect, to connect with others, and I learned a lot about facilitators and their work, which has broadened my scope at work but also what I may do career-wise"
• Resources from 2022-23 cohort

  Listener in residence

  Maria Amidu was the Listener-in-Residence for A New Direction’s Space for Change programme in 2022/2023. She was witness to conversation, observer of what was bubbling up and has created an artistic response to reflect the discussions she heard. This artwork is designed to be a touchstone resource for those working in the cultural sector with children and young people as a reminder of what matters most.

  Download 'Pause' (PDF version)

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  Tikaseh: A zine about healing

  Behind the creation of this zine:

  Faaria and Kyley were partnered together to work on a final project as part of their work with Space for Change. After some discussion, they agreed on a zine based around healing - it would be something tangible that can have a life outside the end of the programme; it could be a resource for others to turn to for advice/guidance.

  To our networks, we posed two questions: “What does healing mean to you?” and “Where do you go find healing?”. We encouraged contributors to

  respond in any creative medium they felt suited them.We hope that this zine would work to inspire you to create your own artistic response in whichever form you desire to express yourself.

  Download 'Tikaseh' (PDF version)

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  Explore the Space for Change miro board for more information and resources