On the governance today and in the future
What are the most pressing governance challenges facing the culture sector today
The need for boards to be able to deal with the bad times as well as the good, which means being financially equipped to make effective decisions and have hard strategic conversations. Finding properly equipped board members remains challenging for many organisations, particularly outside the very large cities.
Have you seen any changes in the way cultural boards manage board performance over the last 5-10 years?
There is a bit more interest in evaluating their performance – but its not yet universal. To many boards still don’t have clear terms of reference and guidance for board members in executing their roles and are not operating effectively enough.
What’s the greatest opportunity that sector-wide good governance might bring?
Improved resilience across the sector and greater strategic strength.
How do you see the governance of culture evolving over the next few years?
As funders get more demanding, I think it will become more professionalised.
What can we learn from other sectors - in the UK and internationally - about good governance?
I can’t really comment about internationally, but seeing board positions in cultural organisations of all sizes as legitimate non-exec roles equivalent to those in the private sector may help.
What’s the future of cultural governance in one word?
Change.