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 45: Seb Chan - Reimagining cultural institutions for tomorrow's communities
This week's conversation features Seb Chan, Director and CEO of ACMI and National President of the Australian Museums and Galleries Association, exploring his innovative approach to cultural leadership and institutional transformation.
Seb shares insights from his journey from experimental music and club culture to pioneering digital transformation at major cultural institutions. He discusses how museums and cultural spaces can rebuild trust and relevance in a rapidly changing world.
Key discussion points include:
- Evolving role of cultural institutions in building community trust
- Digital transformation and preservation challenges
- Designing accessible cultural spaces that reduce threshold fear
- Focus and attention in the age of social media
- Cultural translation and community engagement
- Future integration of cultural spaces with community infrastructure
- The garden metaphor for sustainable digital development
- Leadership versus management in cultural institutions
- Building intergenerational connections through cultural experiences
- The role of institutions in addressing major societal challenges
Throughout the conversation, Seb emphasises the importance of creating spaces for meaningful community interaction and the need for cultural institutions to actively shape conversations about our shared future.
Links:
About Seb Chan: Seb Chan is the Director and CEO of ACMI and National President of AMAGA. His career spans pioneering roles in digital transformation at the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum in New York and the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney. He is recognised internationally for his innovative approach to museum engagement and cultural leadership.
Episode Credits:
- Host: Samuel Cairnduff
- Guest: Seb Chan
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