Teaching an Artistic Staff the Skills of Leadership: A Case Study in Practical Application of Leadership Principles in the Arts

By:

Using a case study, this session is designed to take participants through the process of training their own artists, staffs, board members and other constituents on how to utilize the tools of leadership toward more effective results. The session is broken into four components: Recognizing work avoidance, the difficulties in listening, finding the hidden issues, and accomplishing change.

Rather than being a synonym for management, or the academic label for a visionary, leadership can be thought of as a process in which team members work together to find solutions to challenges that an organization faces. Sometimes the real problems cannot be exhumed until ‘hidden issues,’ often personality challenges which make facing real problems impossible, have been brought to light. For artists, where ego must have a clear place at the table, leadership can be difficult. Utilizing the works of Ronald Heifetz (Leadership Without Easy Answers), Marty Linsky (Leadership on the Line), and Dean Williams (Real Leadership), this workshop helps creative sector team leaders develop the skills necessary to inspire their colleagues in the process of leadership.

Stream: Arts Policy, Management and Advocacy

Paper: Teaching an Artistic Staff the Skills of Leadership

Anthony S. Rhine is currently a professor of theatre and the director of the Theatre Management MFA at Wayne State University, prior to which he served as executive director of three major producing theatres over the course of fifteen years. His study of leadership in the arts and his model for teaching it is used by businesses across the United States. He has produced and directed scores of theatrical productions, written works that have been produced throughout the United States and on tours in the U.S., Canada, Singapore, South Korea and Taiwan. He is currently writing the book of the musical "Mermaids," for MGM On Stage.