NiTRO Creative Matters

Perspectives on creative arts in higher education

Edition 7, 2017 – Creative Leadership

By Jenny Wilson — If we are to secure a better national understanding of the importance of creative arts, it is a task that needs to be embraced by every creative arts academic.
By Megan Burslem and Professor Cat Hope — “I really believe that art is important; I believe in its power to bring people together, how it helps us challenge and reflect on our views and improves our quality of life. Arts should be at the core of our national identity, as it helps us make sense of it.” – Professor Cat Hope

At the end of 2016, Kate Cherry moved from a successful nine-year role as Artistic Director and joint CEO of Black Swan Theatre to take up the role of Director and CEO of the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA).  In a Q & A conversation with NiTRO Editor Jenny Wilson, Kate shares her perspectives on the move from professional arts to tertiary arts leadership

By Professor Steve Chapman — The world is in an interesting place just now. The nature of “truth” itself seems to be under threat. Now, more than ever, is the time for Universities to show leadership and to exercise their civilising influence. The Arts need to be at the centre of this.
By Annika Harding — Heads of art and design schools in Australia on leadership challenges and opportunities
By Professor Anna Reid — Like most musicians, the creation of music has simply entranced me from an early age. I loved discovering out how instruments worked, how they could be played for my own pleasure and with others, how manuscript (or the lack of it) enabled me to understand composers’ ideas, and how music could make an impact on everyone around.
By Professor Ian Howard — Professor Ian Howard has spent over 20 years in leadership positions in Australian university art colleges, and is regarded by many as one of our most successful creative arts leaders. Now having returned to the ‘grass roots’, NiTRO invited Ian to share some of his thoughts and experiences on leadership in creative arts.
By Barbara de la Harpe and Thembi Mason — Working in the area of learning and teaching in Higher Education for a combined total of 35 years we have consistently questioned ourselves, while at the same time being questioned, about what the expert leader in learning and teaching for the Creative Arts looks like.