Decoding Cultural Leadership
Decoding Cultural Leadership is a podcast that explores the intersection between the arts, culture and society and interrogates what it means to be a cultural leader in the 21st century.
In each episode, host Samuel Cairnduff talks with some of the most influential organisational leaders, creators, policy-makers and thought leaders, building an understanding of their approach to shifting the dial in a complex, constantly changing world.
By talking to influential leaders whose voices resonate in the community, Decoding Cultural Leadership seeks to gain a deeper perspective on how cultural organisations see their role in the community, how they make hard decisions, and how they address the needs of multiple stakeholders.
Culture and society are deeply connected. Decoding Cultural Leadership explores this complex relationship through deep conversation with our greatest cultural leaders. Join us as we decode cultural leadership.
Decoding Cultural Leadership.
Culture. Society. Conversations
Decoding Cultural Leadership
Episode 1. Michael Lynch: Legendary Australian Arts Leader is Looking to His Next Challenge
This week’s guest is renowned arts leader Michael Lynch, AO CBE. Michael talks about his long and celebrated career, running some of the most iconic cultural institutions in Australia and overseas. Michael’s achievements and contributions to our cultural life are almost too extensive to list here.
In Australia, as well as a fundamental role in the establishment of the Australia Council, Michael led the Sydney Theatre Company and was CEO of the Sydney Opera House before taking up the role of Chief Executive of London’s Southbank Centre and later CEO of Hong Kong’s West Kowloon Cultural District, where he oversaw a multi-billion dollar development. He sat on the board of the ABC, and when we spoke, he was just departing his role as chair of Circa to take on yet another international opportunity.
Michael is known for his robust views on the importance of culture in Australian society and the role the arts play in social change. He talks to us about all this, as well as his next leadership adventure.
Links:
Southbank Centre
https://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/
West Kowloon Cultural District
https://www.westkowloon.hk/en/
Circa
https://circa.org.au/people/chair/
Connect with Decoding Cultural Leadership on social media
Instagram, Threads, X/Twitter:
@DCLPod
samuelcairnduff.com
@samuelcairnduff
Read Sam's Substack here.
Presenter and research: Sam Cairnduff
Creative Director: Niloofar Pashmforoosh
Presented in association with Limelight
Decoding Cultural Leadership |
Culture. Society. Conversations