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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 46: Rosemarie Milsom - Newcastle Writers Festival founder on ethical courage and cultural leadership through crisis
Due to recent events at Bendigo Writers Festival, we felt it timely to release this episode, recorded earlier this year.
Sam reconnects with Rosemarie Milsom, founding director of Newcastle Writers Festival, whose crisis management approach offers a masterclass in ethical cultural leadership. With journalism experience and current role as Walkley Book Award panel chair, Rosemarie navigated unprecedented challenges whilst maintaining commitment to diverse voices.
Crisis Leadership
Following October 7, 2023, Rosemarie faced escalating tensions with programmed writers holding opposing Israel-Palestine views. The situation required police intervention, including tactical response teams.
Her approach emphasised stakeholder engagement over public statements - tailored communication strategies and proactive consultation months before controversy emerged. Despite intense social media campaigns and direct threats, she maintained the festival's commitment to all invited writers without losing a single artist.
Cultural Leadership Insights
Rosemarie contrasts her approach with recent institutional retreats, arguing many leaders abandon missions due to fear. Her perspective proves powerful given her background as a Bosnian Muslim who lost family to genocide, yet demonstrates separating personal feelings from professional responsibilities.
The festival operates without major donors, building grassroots support whilst maintaining ethical positions like refusing coal industry funding.
Key Quotes
"If you start removing artists from what you do, it's a really slippery slope."
"When you're in a leadership position, if you let fear govern your existence, then I think you probably shouldn't be in a leadership position."
Links
Newcastle Writers Festival: https://www.newcastlewritersfestival.org.au/
Connect with Decoding Cultural Leadership Instagram: @DCLPod | Threads: @DCLPod | X: @DCLPod Email: sc@samuelcairnduff.com | www.samuelcairnduff.com
Presenter and research: Dr Samuel Cairnduff
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