LONDON, ENGLAND.-In response to the Government’s commitment of £12 million to promote leadership skills within the cultural sector, the Arts Council is developing a cultural leadership programme. Working with sector partners, it has published Cultural Leadership Programme – A call for ideas today (Monday). The document outlines the scope of the proposed programme and signals the start of a consultation process that will inform its further development.

Arts Council England is supported in this initiative by the Clore Leadership Programme, Creative and Cultural Skills, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, and the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council.

The Cultural Leadership Programme will make it possible for the cultural sector to develop and strengthen its leadership and establish a culture of excellence for the future. It will develop the business and leadership skills required to lead in a changing global environment. The programme will address the development needs of leaders at all stages of their careers as well as trustees and board members.

The Cultural Leadership Programme will run for two years from April 2006 and has two areas of priority:

Creating a culture of strong leadership
To embed a culture of support and development for leaders in the sector.

Diversity in leadership
To enhance the diversity in cultural leadership with a particular focus on leaders from Black and minority ethnic backgrounds.

The Arts Council is seeking partnerships across the sector and to learn from other sectors facing and tackling similar challenges.

Peter Hewitt, Chief Executive of Arts Council England, said: “ We can be proud of the many great leaders we have today but what this programme will do is ensure that we have a generation of high flyers for the future. In designing this programme we are looking for informed and challenging views. We want big ideas, creative and strategic thinking so that we can create a programme that guarantees our cultural sector the excellence in leadership it deserves.”

The Rt. Hon. Tessa Jowell MP, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, said: “I am delighted to support the call for ideas to develop the Cultural Leadership Programme, which represents a significant and substantial opportunity for the sector to meet its future leadership skills requirements. I hope as many as possible across the relevant cultural sectors will give this vital initiative the benefit of their support and imagination.”

The consultation period will run until 14 October 2005. For more information on how to take part and to download a copy of the prospectus visit the Arts Council England website at www.artscouncil.org.uk.