Ceri interviews Sally Shaw, the trailblazing director of Firstsite contemporary art gallery. Sally shares her remarkable journey from humble beginnings to leading an award-winning institution, offering invaluable insights on leadership, collaboration, and the power of creativity.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Embracing a spirit of adventure and curiosity can lead to life-changing experiences and a broader worldview, ultimately fuelling one's creative vision.
• Leaders can emerge from any position within an organisation by demonstrating initiative, empathy, and a commitment to positive change.
• Collaborating with community partners and actively listening to their needs can help create innovative, impactful programs that resonate with audiences.
• Balancing long-term planning with flexibility allows art institutions to remain responsive to emerging opportunities and maintain a sense of experimentation.
• Cultivating a supportive, transparent, and inclusive work environment encourages staff to contribute ideas and take ownership of the organisation's mission.
• Representing diverse artists and perspectives in programming not only promotes equity but also attracts a broader, more engaged audience.
• Adapting to financial challenges requires creative problem-solving, leveraging social capital, and advocating for the value of art and culture in society.
• Embracing vulnerability, resilience, and a solutions-oriented mindset can help artists navigate obstacles and emerge stronger.

BEST MOMENTS 

"I've always felt like you can be a leader wherever you are, whatever job you're in, you don't have to be the boss to be a leader."

"It's about listening to what it is that someone is really trying to realise and where that motivation comes from, and then again, thinking about that place and the limitations of that place and what you can achieve."

"In the heart of every problem lies the solution. And it's such a beautiful comment. It's like, there's a real economics to that. It's like, yes, it's awful, but look at the type of awfulness that you've got, take it apart and something will show itself to you and that will be how you get out of it."

"You should go into an art gallery and you should feel like this is a place of experimentation. If you can't feel that there, where is that going to happen? Anywhere?"

"There's nothing more brilliant than being in a tube station at 2am in the morning talking to a guy that's wearing like a paper hazmat suit about why Tracey Emin is amazing."

"It's really about listening to what it is that someone is really trying to realise and where that motivation comes from."

"There's always a solution. There just is. It might not be what you expected, but there's always a solution."

PODCAST HOST BIO

Meet Ceri Hand, the driving force behind countless creative success stories. A creative coach, entrepreneur, and dynamic speaker, she's committed to empowering creatives to realise their dreams and make a meaningful impact through her creative coaching, mentoring and training company. With three decades in the arts under her belt, Ceri has ridden the highs, the lows, and everything in between. Now, she's here to help you achieve your goals, your way.

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