Sept 15: Leading
Written by Geraldine M Ysselstein
I love working with artists. They get me all excited and passionate about life. They take risks. They see the world differently. They collaborate. They live out their passions. They engage with community. They make the world a better and more compassionate place. They develop expertise in their craft. They experiment and break all the “rules” within their craft. They hold us to a higher conscience. They connect us with their physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual awareness. They challenge us. They inspire us.
As far as I’m concerned, these are all the attributes of a leader I want to follow and be. Artists are Leaders. My favourite leaders are artists.
While I have spent a lot of time with artist leaders, I have also spent a lot of time with arts leaders in artistic director, executive director, and general manager types of leadership roles within the non-profit arts sector. It has given me a lot of time to observe and reflect what leadership means within the arts. Here are a few observations I have about the general consensus in the non-profit arts sector:
That leadership is connected to those who are in institutional positions.
That those leaders in institutional positions are to control “resources” that have been defined as money, space, and people.
That those leaders in institutional positions who control “resources” are expected to have a vision.
That organizations continue to exist even when founding leaders leave / when visions have been accomplished.
That when there is tension between artistic and management leadership, the artistic vision is seen as incompatible with management.
Geraldine M Ysselstein, “Leading” (2024). Cotton embroidery and dried flower on handmade paper made by my son (Reuben).
About four years ago, my son Reuben made this handmade paper at school. He didn’t have any plans for it, so I kept it. When I thought about what I appreciate about artist leaders, the fragility and strength of the paper was something that connected with me. I feel as though it is something that arts leaders in institutions can learn from.
Lesson #1: To make this handmade paper, lots of little pieces of paper were ripped apart, soaked and blended with water, pressed, and dried on a screen. To me, that signifies the need for many to come together to lead. So often, we emphasize a single individual as a leader and that creates challenges for both that individual and those around them. Many coming together creates a strength and connection.
Lesson #2: These little pieces of paper blended and pressed together are fragile. As I witnessed when poking holes in it for the embroidery, the paper could easily tear. I think about that when we come together as community in the arts and the need for gentleness with one another. Gentleness in listening, trusting, and patience. Our strength is stitched together in strength with this gentleness.
Lesson #3: Stitching the dried flower to the paper was symbolic of decay and renewal. When we let go of something that was brilliant and beautiful, we make space for something new. How can we go through the process of decay and renewal as a community? How can we mourn and celebrate at the same time?
Leading isn’t easy, but leading doesn’t have to be done by oneself either, nor does it have to remain the same.
Questions:
Who are the artist leaders that you admire? Why?
How do we acknowledge the artist leaders in your community?
When have you witnessed the letting go to make space for something or someone new in the arts community?
