MEDIA RELEASE: Decoding Cultural Leadership releases eight new episodes with more to come in 2024

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MEDIA RELEASE

Decoding Cultural Leadership releases eight new episodes with more to come in 2024

For Immediate Release - December 2024

Decoding Cultural Leadership has released eight extraordinary new episodes exploring the evolving landscape of arts and cultural leadership, continuing to examine leadership in contemporary cultural organisations.

The December series features transformative dialogues with distinguished cultural leaders, including Timothy Walker CBE AM, former Chief Executive of the London Philharmonic Orchestra; Jessica Gethin, Artistic Advisor of Orchestra Victoria; Amy Maiden, Chief Executive of Anthem; and celebrated broadcaster Christopher Lawrence.

Host Samuel Cairnduff said - "These conversations reveal how cultural organisations are responding to profound social change. What has emerged most powerfully is the intensifying role of cultural organisations to intersect with issues of social importance - particularly in a time when our media landscape is increasingly fragmented."

The series opens with Christopher Lawrence sharing fascinating insights from his four-decade career at the forefront of classical music broadcasting, including memorable interviews with musical legends Stefan Grappelli and Stephen Sondheim. Lawrence reflects on the evolution of cultural broadcasting and its vital role in shaping Australia's artistic landscape.

Jessica Gethin discusses her vision for Orchestra Victoria's future: "I needed to understand that the musicians and I were on the same page. This is a much more embedded thing. I see these roles as really starting with a ground-up approach."

Timothy Walker CBE AM shares remarkable insights from his journey from Tasmania to leading the London Philharmonic Orchestra: "I think cultural leaders emerge, and we probably could name people that we would say were cultural leaders, but I don't think they have to be the CEOs of orchestras."

The series includes compelling episodes featuring:

  • Award-winning storyteller Joel Carnegie exploring the power of audio narratives in deepening community connections

  • Conductor Guy Noble discussing orchestral leadership and audience engagement

  • Food writer and cultural commentator Sumayya Usmani examining creative evolution and cultural identity

  • Stephen Block reflecting on chamber music's role in cultural development

Amy Maiden brings critical insights on audience engagement in a post-COVID landscape: "We're in a very vulnerable time for arts organisations in Australia and beyond. People are asking questions. These want to know that they can trust management."

About the December Episodes

Episode 33: Christopher Lawrence - Cultural Broadcasting and Leadership in Australian Arts A distinguished broadcaster reflects on four decades at the forefront of classical music broadcasting and arts leadership.

Episode 36: Amy Maiden - Transforming Audience Engagement in the Arts From musical theatre performer to leading audience engagement strategist, Amy shares candid insights on evolving audience behaviour.

Episode 37: Sumayya Usmani - Food Writing, Cultural Identity and Creative Evolution Award-winning food writer discusses her journey from law to becoming a leading voice in cultural storytelling.

Episode 38: Jessica Gethin - Cultural Leadership from the Podium One of Australia's leading conductors discusses her journey and perspectives on cultural leadership as the new Artistic Advisor of Orchestra Victoria.

Episode 39: Joel Carnegie - Stories, Sound and Community Connection Award-winning storyteller discusses creating powerful audio narratives that deeply connect with communities.

Episode 41: Guy Noble - Connecting Audiences Through Musical Storytelling One of Australia's most versatile conductors discusses orchestral leadership and audience engagement.

Episode 42: Timothy Walker CBE AM - From Tasmania to International Arts Leadership Former Chief Executive of the London Philharmonic Orchestra discusses his remarkable journey and perspectives on cultural leadership.

Episode 43: Stephen Block - From ASQ Pioneer to Festival Director Director of the Tasmanian Chamber Music Festival discusses his journey in arts leadership from the early days of the Australian String Quartet.

Past Conversations

Earlier episodes in 2024 have featured compelling conversations with some of Australia's most respected cultural leaders, including:

  • Michael Lynch - former CEO of the Sydney Opera House and London's Southbank Centre

  • Louise Herron - CEO of the Sydney Opera House

  • Kim Williams - ABC Chair

  • Richard Evans - CEO of the Australian Chamber Orchestra and President of LPA

  • Frances Rings - Artistic Director of Bangarra Dance Theatre

  • Wesley Enoch - renowned theatre maker and cultural leader

  • Fiona Allan - CEO of Opera Australia

Since starting in January, the podcast has released 43 episodes this year, establishing itself as a vital platform for discussing cultural leadership in Australia and internationally.

Forthcoming Episodes

Still to come in the series:

  • Seb Chan - CEO of the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI)

  • Michelle Leonard - Founder and Artistic Director of Moorambilla Voices

  • Simon Hinton - Artistic Director of Merrigong Theatre Company

  • Jayson Gillham - Internationally acclaimed concert pianist

About Decoding Cultural Leadership

This podcast explores the concept of leadership in contemporary arts and cultural organisations. Through rich and diverse conversations with the greatest organisational leaders, policy-makers and thinkers operating in the cultural space, we seek to understand the concept of cultural leadership and what it means in a 21st-century context.

The podcast examines how organisations intersect with their operating environments, balancing the multiple challenges of perpetuation and preservation of their art form with stakeholder needs and expectations. It explores how ethical considerations influence cultural leadership and inform organisations' approach to engaging in conversation about issues relevant to their community.

Decoding Cultural Leadership is presented in partnership with Limelight.

Available now wherever you get your podcasts. 

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4CGfQ0GhdwaUu2egqcYbko?si=033dd994e6bc4e19

About Samuel Cairnduff

Samuel Cairnduff is a distinguished arts and cultural management professional, researcher, and lecturer specialising in cultural leadership. Having recently completed his PhD on cultural leadership in Australian symphony orchestras at Deakin University, Samuel teaches at the University of Melbourne and Monash University while running RESONATE cultural leadership and communications consultancy. His book "Harmonising Divergence: Cultural Leadership in Australian Professional Orchestras" is forthcoming from Routledge in 2025.

His extensive international experience includes running SJEMG, a concert production and touring company in London for ten years, and serving as Director of Marketing, Communications and Public Affairs at the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra. Through his research, teaching, consultancy work, and media engagements, Samuel continues to make significant contributions to the field of cultural leadership and management, bridging the gap between academic theory and industry practice.

samuelcairnduff.com

Media Contact: Samuel Cairnduff 

RESONATE Communications 

samuel.j.cairnduff@gmail.com  | 0401 396 755

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