A systemic approach to sector change

Thanks for seeking to find out more about our programmes in development

We are committed instigators and enablers of culture and behaviour change across the cultural sector of the UK with a rich heritage in Organisational Development and a track record in leading large-scale sector-wide collaborative interventions that reimagine the future of arts and culture.

The multi-faceted crisis engulfing the sector over the pandemic has accentuated a long-standing need for radical change and for more inclusive, representative and impactful organisations. Well-placed intentions are not yet met with decisive and consistent action. Systemic inequalities and injustices persist, obstructing progress and threatening the relevance and with it the resilience of the sector in the face of an uncertain future.

Responding to this need for a sector shift, we have initiated new alliances with like-minded sector leaders who possess diverse perspectives and expertise – each driving strategic change in their fields. Forming a partnership of equals, we have come together to devise an ambitious portfolio of programmes working at scale, across artforms and geographies to enact and embed culture change and organisational transformation at the heart of our sector.

Each proposition tackles distinct sectoral issues and challenges. Together they are designed to align and work in conjunction to create a cumulative legacy of lasting systemic change. Whilst the nature of these programmatic interventions vary, foundational principles of equity, inclusion, collaboration and co-creation are common to all.

We are currently seeking constructive conversations with partners, funders and collaborators that might have expertise to contribute or resources to support the development and delivery of this portfolio of change-making work.

Organisational Development for All

‘Exploring and developing inclusive practices and platforms that enable parity in our work and in our sector’

‘Supporting and scaffolding a community of brilliant global majority co-creators across arts and culture’

Co- Instigator/partners 
Suzanne Alleyne, Cultural Thinker
Richard Watts, CEO of people make it work

Problem
The widespread under representation of ethnically diverse people within Organisation Development (OD) work in arts and culture is perpetuating a state of inequity and injustice at all levels of the sector.

Proposition
A co-created skills sharing and development programme for, with and by freelance cultural workers of colour who have experience of, or ambition to, support cultural organisations to transform, shift their cultures and develop new ways of working.

Working on three levels, the programme will support established and aspiring OD and Change Practitioners as well as Exec Directors, Artistic Directors and Participation Directors to hone OD perspectives and skills for use within organisational leadership.

Features

  • Peer learning and collaborative skills sharing

  • Masterclasses and mentoring

  • Organisation Development theory, Change Management principles and tools

  • Topical, thematic resources

  • Pairings and live practical OD assignments with ‘client’ organisations across scales, artforms and geographies

Get involved

We are interested in hearing from you if this project chimes with your ambitions, as a cultural worker, a potential partner or as a funder.

suzanne@alleyneand.com | @AlleyneAnd | www.alleyneand.com

r.watts@peoplemakeitwork.com

Office of Leadership Transition

‘Building the relevant, representative and resilient organisations we need starts with leadership’

‘Momentum and impact, not simply wishful thinking.’

 

Co- Instigators
Sandeep Mahal
Richard Watts

Problem

There is a critical and pressing need for leadership transformation in the cultural sector to make way for new perspectives and talent and to combat systemic under-representation. In the absence of inclusive models, resourced plans, capacity and skills, good intentions and socially progressive concepts are not translating into concrete impactful change and transition.

Proposition

A comprehensive series of strategic support packages and interventions to initiate, implement and embed proactive, structural change at the tops of our cultural organisations.

Catering to organisations at varying stages on this journey, portfolio strands will encompass – Proactive Transitions, Succession through development, Distributed Leadership, Re-centring artists, Making movement within Boards.

Features

  • Templates, guidelines, protocols, policies, toolkits

  • Culture Change and Organisational Development support

  • New models and strategies supporting managed restructure and process redesign

  • Training, development and recruitment support

  • Peer -led skills development and shared learning programmes


Get involved

We are interested in hearing from you if this project chimes with your ambitions, as a cultural worker, a potential partner or as a funder.

sandykmahal@gmail.com@readwithSandy

r.watts@peoplemakeitwork.com

 

Transforming Governance

‘Changing perceptions and narratives around Trusteeship – more than capacity-building, this reset is movement making’

‘Harnessing the talent and appetite of a new generation of cultural change-makers’

 

Co- Instigators
Anisa Morridadi and Beatfreeks
Richard Watts

Problem

Hierarchical power structures, incumbent board memberships and entrenched organisational culture all stand in the way of critical change that is mandated through law and widely called for by the sector. Whilst values of inclusion and equity increasingly drive organisational missions, the governance models, practices and skills are not in place to realise effective transitions and actualise ambitions.

Proposition

A multi-layered change programme facilitating a national Governance Reset across all boards within the cultural sector, pro-actively supporting organisations to re-distribute power and agency and deliver on their responsibilities around representation and cultural democracy.

Through a suite of dynamic, sustained interventions, we will provide direct 1:1 trustee support and forge collective networks to develop and embed new models, approaches and competencies within the fabric of organisations.

Features

  • A sector-wide call to action and national engagement campaign

  • Concrete guidance, coaching, roadmaps and resources

  • A Board Bank of new diverse talent, matching and recruitment support

  • Co-design and implementation of new models and inclusive practices

  • A skills development programme, and a peer-based change management programme 

Get involved

We are interested in hearing from you if this project chimes with your ambitions, as a cultural worker, a potential partner or as a funder.

anisa@anisamorridadi.com@AnisaMorridadi | www.anisamorridadi.com | www.beatfreeks.com

r.watts@peoplemakeitwork.com