Meet Culture Central’s new Leadership Associates
We are really excited to announce that we have appointed two Leadership Associates who will be joining Culture Central over the next twelve months. Cara Pickering and Kat Hughes will be bringing their brilliant experience and thinking into the work we do, as well as building on their sector leadership knowledge.
Why Leadership Associates
A significant number of Culture Central’s programmes and ambitions aim to change dynamics to support a more inclusive and relevant sector, specifically through programmes such as Grow, Collective and our Inclusive Network.
We know there has historically been little scope for mobility in senior level jobs, and senior positions within the cultural sector remain dominated by those with the most privilege in society. In addition, there remains a gap in cultural leadership in the region that focusses on strategy, policy and advocacy.
As an organisation, we want to take active steps for the future development of Culture Central and understand how as a sector, we can respond to real workforce challenges, especially those that exist for those from traditionally excluded backgrounds.
Reflections on the process
The number of applications we received showed a high level of interest and demand from a broad range of backgrounds in this type of work, and demonstrated the need for this kind of leadership role. Cassie Chadderton, Chair of Culture Central and Parminder Dosanjh, Culture Central Board Member, said:
“The Culture Central board are pleased to support the leadership associate roles to deliver on our core values of an inclusive and diverse sector, and to build the future of our organisation. The process highlighted the brilliant leadership talent we have here in the region, and the continuing need to create opportunities to identify and develop it. It’s clear Cara and Kat will bring valuable experience and knowledge to Culture Central.”
Introducing Cara and Kat
Cara Pickering
As Head of Creative Places at The Audience Agency, Cara works nationally to design and deliver place-based strategy, development, and projects. Her recent consultancy projects include co-creating a Cultural Strategy for Staffordshire County Council, evaluating the Mayor of London’s Borough of Culture programme, and leading the Creative Industries Council’s ‘Place Forum’. Most recently, Cara was the project lead for a collaborative research project, with the Centre for Cultural Value, focused on understanding and measuring cultural vitality across the UK.
Kat Hughes
Kat Hughes is a cultural strategist and creative producer with a knack for turning big ideas into lasting arts infrastructure. She leads the Stoke Creates Exchange Forum, a fast-growing network that brings artists, educators and community partners together to strengthen Stoke-on-Trent’s creative life. Under her guidance the Forum has blossomed into a go-to space for collaboration, mixing sector-wide networking and Creative Health partnerships with tailored support for early-career producers.