Women leaders South West

“Only 31% of Artistic Directors of large Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisations are women. Men are still paid 10.6% more than women in the arts.” – Arts Professional (2018)

The Women Leaders South West programme seeks to address the gender imbalance in senior roles in arts organisations.

The first group of trailblazing women have been selected for a pioneering arts leadership programme.

Each Associate will:

• Take part in a 3 day intensive residential programme
• Develop a peer network across the region
• Contribute to action learning sets
• Benefit from expert coaching and mentoring
• Harness new skills through formal learning from Southampton Business School
• Gain valuable work experiences within the partner organisations

The project also involves the WOW Foundation, which is a global movement to celebrate women and girls and take a frank look at the obstacles they face. 

What makes this programme different to other leadership training?

Associates will learn business and entrepreneurial skills through training delivered by Southampton Business School. This will equip the Associates with the skills and knowledge to manage successful and resilient arts organisations in the future.
Associates will also benefit from developing their own peer network across the South West region.
Each Associate will also gain valuable work experience within two of the partner organisations. This will offer them insight into the day-to-day running of an arts organisation at senior management level.
Women Leaders South West is a mix of formal learning, work experience and professional development.

Our Role

We are partnering with the organisations listed below and providing a minimum of three months work experience and mentoring for our two associates.

With Thanks to

Women Leaders South West is funded through Arts Council England’s Transforming Leadership Fund.
The partner organisations are: The Point (lead partner); Activate Performing Arts; Art Asia Ltd.; Diverse City; Kaleider; Pavilion Dance South West; Southampton Business School at the University of Southampton; Strike a Light; The Arts Development Company. We are all based across Dorset, Devon, Hampshire and Gloucestershire.