Our future programme is a programme for leaders of small to medium sized organisations who wish to make a difference in how arts and culture can influence and drive change within society, interrogating historical and contemporary notions of leadership; the role of power, purpose, paradox, conflict and risk in what we do; what 21st century organisations and organising might look like; the importance of context, communication and collaboration in driving change; money, values and ‘currency’ in cultural work; and what intercultural working means in both theory and practice. The programme will engage with real needs, circumstances and experiences, bringing together critical thinking and radical action in participatory learning. This will mean a combination of expert ‘provocations’, intensive residential study periods in a variety of locations, one-on-one coaching, facilitated group work (to include action learning), personal reflection, collaborative projects and distance-learning processes.

The programme will be a year-long, part-time, international programme that will create an inspirational and progressive learning environment, in which committed innovators working in a variety of countries and situations can explore and deepen their practice. This will be achieved by supporting cultural practitioners to develop their capacity to navigate and support a democratic, inter-cultural and tolerant society.

Potential participants should have at least five years work experience in leading projects or programmes of cultural work, be committed to the principles and time obligation of the programme, be proficient in English and not be in full-time education. Applications for the initial year of the programme will be open to individuals resident in the Wider Europe region.