Leicester’s Curve theatre has started an initiative to develop the leadership skills of arts organisations’ middle managers.
The year-long Passport to Leadership programme aims to strengthen arts leadership in Leicester and Leicestershire through workshops, group sessions and practical classes.
Based at Curve and offered free of charge, Passport to Leadership will support 20 individuals in furthering their career from manager to leader.
Participants include Aoife Daniels from the Aakash Odedra Company, Amy Grain from Serendipity, Hazel Townsend and Sophie Baczynski from The Mighty Creatives, Laura White from Bamboozle Theatre and Catherine James, Charlotte Powell, Dave Norton, Fiona Moore, Jonathan Laidlow, Lee Hunt, Michelle Rossington, Sally Longden, Stephen Chalmers and Tom Hurley from Curve.
The programme will be led by Curve business associate Jo Kehoe, who has 20 years’ experience in learning and development.
Curve’s chief executive Chris Stafford and artistic director Nikolai Foster said, “investing in talent both on and off our stages is massively important to us at Curve.
“We hope Passport to Leadership will enable arts managers from across our city to gain invaluable professional development which will impact on their organisations, the cultural life of Leicester and the sector as a whole.
“In these challenging financial times it’s crucial we allocate the time and resources to nurture future arts managers and leaders to ensure the arts continue to thrive.”