Request for Applications: Shifting the Balance Leadership Program (Australia)

The Shifting the Balance Leadership Program is a new program for arts leaders to explore new ideas, directions and collaborations. It offers a flexible journey to help Culturally and Linguistically Diverse and Culturally and Racially Marginalised leaders in NSW’s arts and cultural sectors grow, develop, and build lasting careers.

Stages

• The program is designed in two stages.
  • Stage 1 focuses on knowledge and capacity building and will include a TAFE skill set, leadership masterclass series, mentoring and creative sector networking. Estimated time: 45 hours – 50 hours.
  • Stage 2 is a career enhancement opportunity tailored to each participant. Diversity Arts Australia will work with participants to design either a mentorship program, an opportunity to undertake a paid internship, work assignment, fellowship or further leadership development. Estimated time is 40-80 hours depending on the project.

What you will gain?

• Increased readiness and confidence to seek arts and creative sector leadership roles (at respective career stages) or increased confidence in current leadership role.
• Increased knowledge and skills to champion cultural safety inclusion practices within current future roles
• Broader connections across the arts and cultural sectors with arts leaders and employees with a focus on introducing you to other culturally diverse arts and creative sector leaders.
• New industry networks: opening doors to opportunities and collaborations across the sector.
• Bespoke Training & Mentoring: equipped with the tools and confidence needed to become thought leaders and changemakers within and beyond the arts and cultural industries.
• Culturally safe training and support: featuring established CaRM leaders as speakers, mentors, and contributors to industry events, providing participants with knowledge and capacity to advocate and take action.
• Self-Directed Projects: participants will have the opportunity to apply learnings through a self-selected Growth Learning project aimed at enhancing profile and increasing opportunities within the industry. (Stage 2 only)

Topics

• Masterclasses will cover topics such as:
  • Transformative and Adaptive Leadership
  • Leading with an Advocacy Mindset
  • First Nations Protocols
  • Strategic Communication and Collaboration
  • How Leadership and Identity are Intertwined: Lessons from Culturally Diverse Leaders
  • Ethics in Leadership
  • Equity and Anti-Racist Leadership Practice

Funding Information

• They value this complete program at $19,000 ($12,000 for stage 1 and $7,000 for stage 2).

Eligibility Criteria

• Mid-career creative directors, senior producers, artistic directors, senior programmers, curators, managers, CEOs, publishers and those with a vision for change across the creative sectors who have 5 years or more of experience in the arts and creative sectors
• Those aiming to take on leadership roles in the creative sector, as well as those already in leadership positions (recognising that leadership takes many forms and is not limited to specific positions).
• People from underrepresented culturally and linguistically diverse and culturally and racially marginalised backgrounds, including those who identify as migrants, refugees, Black, and People of Colour.
• People who are aged 18 years and over.
• Women and gender diverse people and People with Disability are encouraged to apply.

Selection Criteria

• 5 years of local or international experience in the creative sectors.
• Committed to racial justice and cultural equity.
• Available to attend during the dates mentioned above.
• Commitment to reflect on and develop your arts leadership practice alongside other peers in the arts/creative sectors.
• Provide 1 written reference.

For more information, visit Diversity Arts Australia.