The three factors of feeling welcome
Arts organizations thrive, in large part, on their ability to welcome – to notice, name, support, and honor their guests…But there’s a difference between altruistic and commercial welcoming. Blain and Lashley (2014), for example, suggest a continuum of hospitality arranged by motivation of the host – from ulterior motives to containing (monitoring the stranger) to commercial to reciprocal to altruistic. Each motivation suggests a different relationship between host and guest.
Culture change: how to achieve it and measure it
A new toolkit from NPC to help organisations think about and create culture change. It was developed with Sport England but the techniques would work just as well in the arts and there are some great examples.
Arts Pay 2025
The final Arts Pay 2025 Report from Arts Professional and Baker Richards is now available. As is often the case with these surveys it is perplexing reading.
The findings reveal a workforce driven by purpose yet burdened by financial strain, emotional fatigue, and cultural gatekeeping that limits who can thrive, or even remain, in the arts
Inside the Room: What I Learned Observing a Wellcome Funding Advisory Committee
Dawn has had the privilege of being on a few Wellcome grant committees and absolutely recognises the rigour described here. It may be specific to the Wellcome/research context but there are some useful pointers here nonetheless.
Secret Maps at the British Library
…we trace the levels of power, coercion and secrecy that lie behind maps from the 14th century to the present day and uncover the invisible forces that draw and distort the world around us.
Sally Mann: Desert Island Discs
A wonderful listen. If you don’t know the photography of Sally Mann hearing her talk about her motivation and challenges, including the current context for culture in the US, is a great introduction. She has also chosen some very varied music.