Leadership Program

The Australia Council Leadership Program offers a suite of dynamic development opportunities for arts leaders at all career stages, including the Arts Leaders, Future Leaders, Arts Governance and Leadership Exchange programs.

Leadership Program

The Australia Council Leadership Program is dedicated to transforming our sector’s knowledge, skills and capabilities by supporting emerging and established leaders.

At the heart of the program design is an understanding that our sector is already rich in knowledge and capability, and that artists and arts leaders learn and evolve through sharing stories and experiences. The program is built around these strengths; it aims to activate capacity and enrich the sector through sharing knowledge and building networks across regions and areas of practice.

The Leadership Program offers a suite of dynamic development opportunities for arts leaders at all career stages. Participants will share experiences, form new connections, develop skills and build confidence in their own capabilities. They will build networks and relationships, spreading the benefits and outcomes of the program across their organisations and the wider arts community.

Visit the below pages to learn more about the different programs or click here to learn more about the background

Future Leaders Program
This program caters for
emerging arts leaders.

Arts Leaders Program
The Arts Leaders Program
caters for mid-career and
established leaders.

International Leadership Program
This Program is for Leaders
from Asia Pacific.

The First Nations Leadership
Program is currently being
developed.

The Leadership Exchange
This program invites local and
regional leaders to join the
conversation.

The Arts Governance Program
This program is for arts
organizations of all sizes.

The Scholarships Program
We partnered with others to
provide further opportunities.

Alumni Collaborations Fund
Alumni of the Leadership
Program are invited to apply
for targeted support.

Our Facilitators

Arts Leaders Program Professor Judith McLean, QUT

Future Leaders Program
Annie Talvé, Project Sisu

Future Leaders Program
Dr Sally Gray

Governance Program
Patrick Moriarty, Our
Community

The Leadership Exchange Kevin du Preez, Australia Council.

The Leadership Exchange Tristan Schultz, Relative Creative.

Our Participants

Over 800 participants access
the program each year.

An active alumni from across
Australia and now abroad

What Our Alumni Say

Lia Pa’apa’a, Leadership Exchange participant

“Attending the Leadership Exchange in Cairns allowed me to connect to the greater Arts sector here in Cairns as well as position us within the national dialogue.”

Nina Miall, Arts Leaders Program (2017–18) participant

“I've found it a rich and rewarding experience that has fundamentally altered my perspective on what good arts leadership looks like and how it can be practised.”

Simon Abrahams, Arts Leaders Program (2016–17) participant

"Participating in the program gave me new insights into the sector and into my own leadership practice - as well as a cohort of industry peers who are now trusted colleagues, friends and confidantes."

Sara Strachan, Future Leaders (2017–18) participant

"The future leaders program gave me the opportunity, time and space to think deeply about leadership and how I can be a more conscious and confident cultural leader. It also breathed new life into my arts practice and I made lifelong friends along the way."

About the program

The Australia Council for
the Arts has a strong history in
providing professional
development opportunities
to Australian arts leaders and organisations.

Frequently asked questions.

Receive updates

Click here to join the mailing list.

A Guide to Mentoring

A resource to enhance arts mentoring relationship.

Contact us

For more information about the Leadership Program please contact us via phone on 02 9215 9036 or email leadershipprogram@australiacouncil.gov.au