Decoding Cultural Leadership

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 cultural leaders, we're hearing directly from the next generation of classical musicians who are actively reshaping the industry from within. In this par...

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 commitment to community, First Nations engagement, and supporting independent artists, Simon has become one of the country’s most respected regional arts lead...

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 unprece...

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 leadership built on deep connection to country and community. Michelle shares insights from her journey from regional NSW to becoming one of Australia&ap...

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...

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 shares insights from her career development as a conductor in Australia, from her early days with Perth Symphony Orchestra through to her current roles with...

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 conducting major Australian orchestras and working with international artists. He reflects on the evolution of orchestral culture, programming challeng...

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. Tim shares insights from his extensive career in arts leadership, including transforming the Australian Chamber Orchestra into a full-time ensemble, found...

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. Stephen shares fascinating insights from his formative years in Adelaide during the Dunstan era, and his pivotal role in establishing the Australian String Quart...

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 insights from his groundbreaking national tour of 'Stardust & The Mission', which combined storytelling, music and community engagement through colla...

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. Christopher shares fascinating insights from his career at the ABC, including memorable interviews with musical legends Stefan Grappelli and Stephen...

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 West End working with major organisations like AKA. She reflects on organising landmark charity events like the 2009 Black Saturday bushfire appeal conce...

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 from her unique childhood spent travelling on merchant ships, and how this influenced her perspective on food, culture and belonging. She discusses her trans...

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 journey from internationally acclaimed cellist to his current role leading one of Australia's major orchestras. He discusses his unexpected transition to con...

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 leaders and the role of student theatre in shaping the arts sector. Our guests share valuable insights into: UHT's role as a platform for student creativi...

This week's guest is Professor Ruth Rentschler OAM Ruth 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 Australia Business School. In this wide-ranging conversation, Ruth discusses her extensive career spanning academia and arts governance. She shares insights from h...

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 conversation to our listeners, the themes and insights remain as relevant and urgent as ever. EK Taghdir, an Australian barrister of Iranian descent, shares hi...

This week's guest is Kim Williams AM Kim 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 2023.  In this wide-ranging conversation, Kim discusses his diverse career spanning music, media, culture and sport. He shares insights from his current role at the...

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 The challenges and rewards of running a small arts organisation, including managing staff and juggling multiple projects Ensemble Offspring's focus on champ...

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 Music in London. She discusses the challenges and triumphs of building a career in the arts, the importance of representation and diversity on stage and screen,...

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 challenges and rewards of starting a period instrument ensemble in Tasmania  - Van Diemen's Band's mission to introduce audiences to lesser-known baroque repe...

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 University of Cambridge, he went on to hold prestigious appointments as a Fellow at Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge, as well as the Dean of Trinity College at the Univ...

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, which motivated her to delve deeper into issues of leadership and power dynamics. Key Takeaways: Caust's trajectory from actor to arts administrator to re...

Guest: Brian Ritchie, bassist of the Violent Femmes and Artistic Director of Mona FOMA Summary: 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-standing connection to the state. He and his wife Varuni later moved to Tasmania in 2005, initially drawn by Varuni's research trips and their shared love of the Ta...

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.  Megan speaks candidly about her path into broadcasting, the imposter syndrome she felt coming from a regional background, and the life-changing experiences she had with...