Dear Readers,
In these challenging times for the arts and creative industries, good leadership has never been more critical. The past few years have seen leaders in this field grappling with unprecedented hurdles, particularly when it comes to sustainable funding in an environment marked by uncertainty and economic downturns. It has been a trying period, where resilience and adaptability have been tested to their limits.
There is much to celebrate however, not least the sector’s commitment to creativity and community. In this context, we are delighted to present our latest edition of Canvas exploring the evolving landscape of arts and creative leadership, a testament to the indomitable strength of this sector.
We have been particularly buoyed by recent examples of creative excellence and renewal that remind us how lucky we are to be living with access to work class culture. The recent rehang of Tate Britain and the long-anticipated openings of the National Portrait Gallery, Factory International and Young V&A are shining examples of what dedication, creativity and perseverance can achieve. These milestones are a testament to the vision, dedication and hard work of leaders and teams that have continued to steer the course through adversity, and they fill us with optimism.
As we look to the future, we are filled with gratitude for the extraordinary resilience of the creative sector we are fortunate to work with. This sector’s ability to adapt, innovate, and inspire is truly remarkable.
We are excited to explore the evolving landscape of arts and culture leadership in this issue and we invite you to join us in celebrating the indomitable spirit of this sector. While the challenges remain, the arts continue to offer hope, inspiration, and a powerful reminder of the enduring value of culture in our world. In the following pages we hear from the Director of Artangel Mariam Zulfiqar, and Nick Sargent, CEO of The Art Newspaper.
We talk to Mariam about the growth of contemporary art in the public arena and how this brings interesting platforms for political, societal and cultural issues. Nick, in his first year as CEO of The Art Newspaper, tells us of his ambitions for expanding the audience, geographic reach and commercial opportunity for the publication.
We also welcome Will Timmins, Partner and Associate Consultant at Saxton Bampfylde and hear more from him in our View from the River feature.
