Leadership
programs

Across all our programs, you will attend a series of intensive residentials. These may be in-person, online or hybrid. Travel restrictions permitting, residentials will take place in regional Australia. There are also virtual online sessions to reconnect with the group and to explore topics between the residentials.

During the program you will participate in a range of activities both indoors and outdoors, online and offline, to build your skills, capacity and confidence. Grounded in respect, generosity and listening, we tackle the big issues and opportunities faced within the cultural and creative industries today. The programs are designed to explore new ways of thinking and enact the potential of creativity for change.

A residential is a five-day intensive experience that may take place in-person, online or hybrid, depending on COVID-19 restrictions at the time of the residential. The program is designed and led by our core facilitators and responds to the needs of the group. The residentials are not a professional development conference, rather they provide time and space for the group to connect, collaborate, listen, and hear from key guest speakers. We encourage you to use the residentials as an opportunity to re-focus, invest in your development, feel nourished and plan for the future.

Travel restrictions permitting, our residentials will take place in regional Australia. We choose regional locations primarily to spend time learning in Country with Custodians, to slow down, rest and rejuvenate and to allow for new perspectives and knowledge-sharing in a non-urban environment.

You will be notified of the first residential location shortly after you have been accepted into the program, and the second and third locations will be announced at the end of the first residential.

In case of travel restrictions or border closures, we will provide at least four weeks’ notice ahead of the residential if it will take place online. It is highly unlikely that we will postpone any of the residential dates due to COVID-19 and are confident in our ability to produce high quality, connected residentials in hybrid ways.

The Future Leaders and Arts Leaders programs are guided by a lead facilitator and supported by a range guest speakers and co-facilitators throughout the program. The program is guided by and grounded in a commitment to First Nations cultural knowledge, and this is a core component to the learning and design of the residentials. You can find out more about our facilitators on the Future Leaders, Arts Leaders and International Leadership Program pages.

The Australia Council and other partners support participants to undertake the Leadership Program – an investment of approximately $3,000 per participant for each residential.

The fee that we ask you to cover is $300 +GST. This accounts for a small portion of the above investment and helps to ensure the viability of the program into the future. Fee subsidies are available for any participant that requires financial support.

We’ll look after everything else for you, including On Country learning, facilitation and guest speakers, your accommodation, ground transport, program resources and all meals for the duration of the residential.

International participants are supported by Australia Council and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and are not required to pay the fee. Border restrictions permitting, travel to residentials will be supported for all International participants.

Participants are required to pay their own travel expenses or seek support from their organisation (if applicable). Financial assistance is available for Australian participants who require it for access reasons, if you are an independent practitioner or if you are travelling from a remote area, including Western Australia. Travel expenses should not be a barrier to any participant interested in applying and we encourage you to contact us to discuss your travel requirements.

Border restrictions permitting, travel for international participants is supported by the Australia Council and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

No, Australia Council will cover these costs for all participants. We will accommodate you in your own private room with a bathroom for the length of the residential and will cover the cost of your breakfast, lunch and dinner during this time. Additional extras (such as espresso coffee and mini-bar items) are at your own expense. Per diems are not included.

Previous participants of all our programs tell us that they experience:

• Strong networks and relationships with others working in the cultural and creative industries, nationally and internationally.
• New and enhanced skills, capabilities and knowledge to adapt and thrive.
• Deeper insight into what makes a great leader.
• Stronger capability to lead within an ever-evolving cultural and creative industry.