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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
Episodes
48 episodes
Episode 48: RESONATE Participants - Young musicians leading change in neurodivergent-inclusive classical music
This episode marks a departure from our usual format as we delve into an initiative close to my heart: RESONATE, a programme I've developed with the Australian Youth Orchestra through my consultancy. Rather than interviewing established cultura...
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Episode 47: Simon Hinton: Leading Merrigong Theatre Company with Vision, Community and Courage
Simon Hinton has been Artistic Director and CEO of Merrigong Theatre Company in Wollongong since 2005. Under his leadership, Merrigong has grown from a presenting venue into Australia’s largest regional producing theatre company. With a deep co...
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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 m...
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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.Se...
Episode 44: Michelle Leonard OAM- Transforming communities through song
This week's conversation features Michelle Leonard OAM, founder and artistic director of Moorambilla Voices, discussing her transformative work bringing high-quality music education to regional communities and her unique approach to cultural le...
Episode 39: Joel Carnegie - Stories, Sound and Community Connection
This week's conversation features Joel Carnegie, award-winning storyteller, broadcaster and musician, discussing his journey creating powerful audio narratives and live performances that deeply connect with communities.Joel shares insigh...
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Episode 43: Stephen Block - From ASQ Pioneer to Festival Director
This week's conversation features Stephen Block, Director of the Tasmanian Chamber Music Festival, discussing his remarkable journey in arts leadership from the early days of the Australian String Quartet through to his current role.Step...
Episode 42: Timothy Walker CBE AM - From Tasmania to International Arts Leadership
This week's conversation features Timothy Walker CBE AM, former Chief Executive and Artistic Director of the London Philharmonic Orchestra, discussing his remarkable journey from Tasmania to leading one of the world's great orchestras.Ti...
Episode 41: Guy Noble - Connecting Audiences Through Musical Storytelling
This week's conversation features Guy Noble, one of Australia's most versatile conductors and broadcasters, discussing his perspectives on orchestral leadership and audience engagement.Guy shares candid insights from his extensive career...
Episode 38: Jessica Gethin - Cultural Leadership from the Podium
This week's conversation features Jessica Gethin, one of Australia's leading conductors and newly appointed Artistic Advisor of Orchestra Victoria, discussing her journey in conducting and perspectives on cultural leadership.Jessica shar...
Episode 37: Sumayya Usmani - Food Writing, Cultural Identity and Creative Evolution
This week's conversation features Sumayya Usmani, award-winning food writer and author, discussing her remarkable journey from law to becoming a leading voice in food writing and cultural storytelling.Sumayya shares fascinating insights ...
Episode 36: Amy Maiden - Transforming Audience Engagement in the Arts
This week's conversation features Amy Maiden, discussing her journey from musical theatre performer to leading audience engagement strategist.Amy shares candid insights from her career journey, including her formative years in London's W...
Episode 33: Christopher Lawrence - Cultural Broadcasting and Leadership in Australian Arts
This week's conversation features Christopher Lawrence, one of Australia's most distinguished broadcasters and cultural commentators, reflecting on his four-decade career at the forefront of classical music broadcasting and arts leadership....
Episode 35: Umberto Clerici -The QSO’s Chief Conductor: Transforming Orchestra Culture
This week's guest is Umberto Clerici, Chief Conductor of the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, speaking on the occasion of his contract renewal announcement.In this fascinating conversation, Umberto shares insights from his remarkable journ...
Episode 31: Union House Theatre Team: theatre-making in the heart of the University of Melbourne
In this exciting episode of Decoding Cultural Leadership, we dive into the vibrant world of student theatre at the University of Melbourne. We speak with the passionate team behind Union House Theatre (UHT) about fostering emerging cultural lea...
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Episode 32: Professor Ruth Rentschler - A pioneer of arts management studies on cultural leadership
This week's guest is Professor Ruth Rentschler OAMRuth Rentschler is a pioneering figure in arts and cultural management education in Australia. She is currently Professor of Arts and Cultural Leadership at the University of South Austra...
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Episode 34: Ek Taghdir: cultural leadership in the Iranian diaspora
In this powerful episode of Decoding Cultural Leadership, recorded on International Women's Day, we speak with EK Taghdir, a passionate advocate for freedom and democracy in Iran. While there has been a delay in bringing this important conversa...
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Episode 30: Kim Williams: The new ABC Chair and acclaimed arts leaders on his vision for vitality of the national broadcaster
This week's guest is Kim Williams AMKim Williams is one of Australia's most experienced and respected arts and media executives. He is currently the Chair of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), appointed in March 20...
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Episode 29: Claire Edwardes OAM - Percussion virtuoso and artistic director of Ensemble Offspring on leading a thriving arts organisation
In this episode, Sam speaks with Claire Edwardes OAM, percussionist and artistic director of Ensemble Offspring, about:Claire's journey with Ensemble Offspring from its student beginnings to becoming a leading new music organisation...
Episode 28: Naarah: Rising star of musical theatre, singer, actress, educator and cultural leader on her trailblazing journey
In this episode, Sam speaks with Naarah, a talented young performer and cultural leader from Tasmania. Naarah shares her journey from teaching music in underserved communities to studying musical theatre at the prestigious Royal Academy of Musi...
Episode 27: Julia Fredersdorff: Founder of Van Diemen's Band on building a world-leading baroque ensemble from the heart of Tasmania
In this episode, Sam speaks with Julia Fredersdorff, founder and artistic director of Van Diemen's Band, about:- Julia's journey from studying baroque violin in Europe to founding Van Diemen's Band in Tasmania- The chal...
Episode 26: Professor Peter Tregear - Thought leader, writer and academic on confronting change, mythology and meaning in classical music
My guest today is Professor Peter Tregear.A renowned scholar, performer, and cultural leader in the Australian arts landscape, Peter has had an incredibly varied and distinguished career. After completing his doctoral studies at the Univ...
Episode 25: Professor Jo Caust: acclaimed academic talks art, politics and contemporary discourse
In this insightful conversation, Professor Jo Caust shares her remarkable journey from dedicated arts practitioner to renowned academic and author. Caust discusses her early experiences grappling with gender inequality in the arts industry, whi...
Episode 24: Brian Ritchie: Violent Femmes bassist and Mona Foma artistic director on playing a pivotal role in creating a cultural powerhouse in Tasmania
Guest: Brian Ritchie, bassist of the Violent Femmes and Artistic Director of Mona FOMASummary: Brian Ritchie first came to Tasmania in 1989 when the Violent Femmes played a sold-out show at the Hobart City Hall, sparking his long-standin...
Episode 23: Dr Megan Burslem: broadcaster, violist, educator and communicator leading the charge in fresh conversation about music in the contemporary landscapb
This week, Sam sits down with Dr. Megan Burslem, presenter at ABC Classic. Megan has had an incredible journey in music, from her studies as a classical violist to her current role as a leading voice in Australian classical radio. <...
