Decoding Cultural Leadership
Decoding Cultural Leadership is a podcast that explores the intersection between the arts, culture and society and interrogates what it means to be a cultural leader in the 21st century.
In each episode, host Samuel Cairnduff talks with some of the most influential organisational leaders, creators, policy-makers and thought leaders, building an understanding of their approach to shifting the dial in a complex, constantly changing world.
By talking to influential leaders whose voices resonate in the community, Decoding Cultural Leadership seeks to gain a deeper perspective on how cultural organisations see their role in the community, how they make hard decisions, and how they address the needs of multiple stakeholders.
Culture and society are deeply connected. Decoding Cultural Leadership explores this complex relationship through deep conversation with our greatest cultural leaders. Join us as we decode cultural leadership.
Decoding Cultural Leadership.
Culture. Society. Conversations
Decoding Cultural Leadership
Episode 12. Paul Grabowsky: Cultural Leadership Across Genres
This week, Sam is joined by one of Australia’s most distinguished artists: Paul Grabowsky, pianist, composer, arranger, and conductor. Paul has had a huge career in Australia. He became a household name as musical director of Tonight Live with Steve Vizard (where he was an inspiration to me as a young, aspiring jazz pianist in Tasmania!), was Commissioning Editor (Arts and Entertainment) for ABC Television 1995-98 and has had artistic director roles at the Queensland Music Festival and Adelaide Festival of Arts.
He has written in multiple genres and worked with numerous artists. As founder of the Australian Art Orchestra, he created several commended projects and collaborations, notably Ringing the Bell Backwards and Ruby - a project he created with Archie Roach as part of their longstanding working relationship. Speaking of collaborations, Paul has recorded some stunning piano vocal duo albums where he accompanies Vince Jones, Kate Ceberano and - most recently - Paul Kelly.
He talked to Sam about the various roles he has held; traversing the perspectives of an artist, a leader and an administrator, and how the principles of jazz guide his approach to leadership. He shared his views on the intersection of art, politics and social change.
Links:
The Australian Art Orchestra
Monash Performing Arts Centre
https://www.monash.edu/performing-arts-centres/
Connect with Decoding Cultural Leadership on social media
Instagram, Threads, X/Twitter:
@DCLPod
samuelcairnduff.com
@samuelcairnduff
Read Sam's Substack here.
Presenter and research: Sam Cairnduff
Creative Director: Niloofar Pashmforoosh
Presented in association with Limelight
Decoding Cultural Leadership |
Culture. Society. Conversations