ARTS & CULTURE EDITION SPRING 2019

CANVAS BY

CURATING CREATIVITY AND PLATFORMING PERSPECTIVES ENSURING DIVERSE EXPRESSION IS AT THE HEART OF THE CREATIVE INDUSTRIES CANVAS ARTS & CULTURE EDITION BY SAXTON BAMPFYLDE WELCOME

Welcome to the Spring 2019 Arts and Culture edition of Canvas, the insights update from Saxton Bampfylde and our global partners.

Our aim is to share interesting thoughts and perspectives on topics and issues that are relevant and current in your sector.

We welcome any thoughts or comments you would like to share.

We hope you enjoy this edition

CONTENTS

Ladies of Quality & Distinction Pg 12 Interview with Foundling Museum’s Director Expanding the narrative: giving Caro Howell and Chair, Larissa Joy Pg 4 voice to fresh perspectives Interview with Uzma Hasan, Director of Little House Productions Pg 14

Key appointments An update of recent leadership appointments in the sector Saxton Bampfylde have advised on

‘Mind the Gap’ Pg 15 around the country Key themes from the discussions and events with industry leaders from our research on leadership and Maintaining the music of life succession planning in the Pg 8 Interview with Bob Riley, Chief Executive of sector Manchester Camerata

2 CANVAS EDITION OVERVIEW

EDITION OVERVIEW

STEPHEN BAMPFYLDE Partner, Saxton Bampfylde m [email protected]

he creative industries in the UK is relevant in a world where ever more “It has never been more are facing a unique and potentially content is available at the click of a button. important for the sector’s transformative moment in history. In the face of challenges such as We are also delighted to have had the leaders to ensure that Treduced public funding and a lessening opportunity to speak with Bob Riley, voices from a broad range focus in state education, it has never Chief Executive of the world-renowned of backgrounds continue been more important for the sector’s Manchester Camerata, an organisation to have a platform from leaders to ensure that voices from a broad that has set out to change the way in which which to have their say.” range of backgrounds continue to have a an orchestra is perceived. Bob shares his platform from which to have their say. perspective on the power of music and its use as therapy, and gives us a sneak peek While the challenges may be significant, into what’s next for the orchestra that has the optimism, interest and enthusiasm opened at Glastonbury and partnered the arts and philanthropic endeavour in the arts and culture sector should not with Manchester’s famous Hacienda DJs. and hear their opinions on the secrets be underestimated. It remains the fastest behind a successful relationship between growing economic sector in the UK, and This edition of CANVAS follows Saxton executive and non-executive leadership. those driving it forward continue to ensure Bampfylde’s sponsorship of the Foundling their voices, and those of the diverse Museum’s ‘Ladies of Quality and Distinction’ While each of these interviews explore population of this country, can be heard. exhibition, a celebration of the women unique aspects of the arts and without whom the UK’s first children’s culture sector, they are united by a In this edition, we speak to film producer charity, the Foundling Hospital, would common passion for diverse narrative Uzma Hasan, Director and Founder of Little never have existed. We speak with two storytelling. The UK’s creative industries House Productions and NED for Channel 4 of the women charged with driving are a powerful force and the sector’s (an appointment Saxton Bampfylde advised forward the success of the Museum, dedication to embracing and driving on last year). Uzma shares her thoughts its Director Caro Howell, and Chair of forward transformational change on the narratives the British film industry the Board and Saxton Bampfylde Non- shouldn’t be underestimated. C has traditionally given priority to and the Executive Director, Larissa Joy. We talk challenges of ensuring the art you produce to them about the connection between

CANVAS 3 EXPANDING THE NARRATIVE: Interview with Uzma Hasan

EXPANDING THE NARRATIVE GIVING VOICE TO FRESH PERSPECTIVES

Interview with Uzma Hasan, Director of Little House Productions and Non-Executive Director of Channel 4

4 CANVAS EXPANDING THE NARRATIVE: Interview with Uzma Hasan

A leading figure in UK film production,Uzma Hasan is passionate about creating a platform for a multitude of voices. We talk to her about her decision to found an independent production company and the role of the arts in developing global discourses.

HAT WAS THE MOMENT ever really have, particularly working in the all aspects of society, in this country and YOU KNEW YOU WANTED British film industry. Hollywood is still the globally. If we stifle voices wherever they TO BE A FILM PRODUCER? dominant power in film, and the rest of the may be coming from then we will end up Growing up in suburban world follows its lead. This creates a natural with an industry, and an idea of ourselves, WLondon, I was a voracious reader – it was a conservatism amongst backers – they tend that is homogenised and incomplete. It can way to escape the teenage disconnect I felt to go with what they perceive as ‘sure bets’. be of no benefit either to the trade or to with the world. That love of reading stayed audiences and society at large. with me as I went on to study literature at university. DO YOU CONSIDER ARTS TO BE “It is vital that we DECREASING IN THEIR IMPORTANCE I started my career working in public have a plurality of IN STATE EDUCATION? IF SO, WHAT relations, which is essentially fashioning IMPACTS IS THIS HAVING? something a client wants to say in a more storytelling and Yes, and this is something that worries me. palatable way! It’s all story-telling, which I If humans aren’t encouraged to be creative suppose is at the heart of film production tellers that are and to express themselves in a way that too. Looking back, it feels like a very natural representative best suits them, this creates much bigger progression. problems. Creativity is a vital part of the of who we are - human experience – it helps us to process YOU SET UP LITTLE HOUSE across all aspects the world around us and learn to engage PRODUCTIONS IN 2013. WHAT WAS with other people. THE DRIVING FORCE BEHIND YOUR of society.” DECISION TO FOUND AN INDEPENDENT History tells us that those who have their COMPANY? creativity repressed will find other means The big incentive behind starting Little through which to be heard. Repression House Productions was the need to breeds dissent, but from this, I’d so much create my own work environment. I think BRINGING NEW TALENT FORWARD IS rather that beautiful things were born. that’s always a big driving force for any A KEY ISSUE FOR THE INDUSTRY – LESS entrepreneur. I’d worked in the industry ESTABLISHED FILMMAKERS OFTEN THE FILM INDUSTRY HAS BEEN ON for ten years, with a career that had taken STRUGGLE TO BRING PROJECTS ONLINE THE RECEIVING END OF MUCH PUBLIC me across four continents, but I felt slightly AGAINST THE BACKDROP OF REDUCED DEBATE RECENTLY, BOTH NEGATIVE restricted by the industry. Having “seen it FUNDING AVAILABILITY. DO YOU AND POSITIVE. SHOULD MORE BE all”, I essentially thought I knew better! THINK THIS LIMITS DIVERSITY IN THE DONE TO ENSURE THAT YOUNG INDUSTRY? WOMEN ENTERING THE INDUSTRY ARE It’s an incredibly complex process to Of course. It’s a trickle-down effect: if SAFEGUARDED AND AFFORDED EQUAL get films off the ground at any level. you have a smaller pot of money and a OPPORTUNITIES? You’re reliant on a delicate ecosystem of systematic lack of representation amongst I’ve been so encouraged by the debates that supporters from the very first tranche of those who are guarding those pots, then are ongoing across the film industry about funding through to securing your lead this naturally puts barriers to entry in place. how we ensure that women are supported actors. There are so many gatekeepers This has definitely been reflected in the and able to fulfil their potential. I think there along the way, each of whom have the makers coming forward in recent years, and is a consensus across the industry this power to say no. figures* released earlier this year by The shakeup is long overdue. British Film Institute support this. I wanted more control, so setting up an Crucially, we are starting to challenge the independent production company seemed It is vital that we have a plurality parameters of discussions about topics that like the logical step. It didn’t take me long to of storytelling and tellers that are have previously been taboo. We are finding realise there’s only so much control you can representative of who we are - across ways to talk about subjects like bullying,

* CAMEo Research Institute for Cultural and Media Economies: Workforce Diversity in the UK Screen Sector (2018) CANVAS 5 EXPANDING THE NARRATIVE: Interview with Uzma Hasan

harassment and abuse. We are starting to find a shared vernacular that has let words emerge through which we can have these “If humans aren’t encouraged to be conversations. The next challenge will be creative and to express themselves in to translate these words into real and manageable change. a way that best suits them, this creates

Change is in the industry’s best interest, but much bigger problems.” it happens on the individual and collective level and requires active participation. I feel like those conversations are happening more frequently and getting louder; and I’m really encouraged by that.

LITTLE HOUSE PRODUCTIONS STATES THAT ITS FOCUS IS ON BRINGING SUBVERSIVE STORIES TO GLOBAL AUDIENCES. HOW IMPORTANT IS THE ROLE OF FILM, AND INDEED ART MORE BROADLY, IN DEVELOPING GLOBAL DISCOURSES? This is perhaps the most crucial role of film. It is important that opening up these dialogues never becomes just one person’s or one representative’s responsibility – it needs to be a concerted and collective effort.

Cinema is one of the important tools we have, and it’s vital that it is used effectively. Film can and should be a global disruptor – it has the power to call out injustices and bring forward marginalised stories to wide array of audiences. surrounded by different perspectives. We of a publisher broadcaster, innovation is all win if new perspectives start to come driven by who you’re commissioning and the It’s a rare privilege to get someone’s through, not just in cinema but across direction you encourage them to take. And undivided attention in a dark room for two society more generally. It doesn’t mean it’s clear that in that regard, it consistently hours, particularly in the always-on world in everyone needs to make an enormous punches above its weight. which we live, and it is a platform that has change either. If each of us can just turn up never been more important. It’s the modern the volume as little as 0.01 per cent on our AGAINST A BACKDROP OF ENORMOUS equivalent of fireside storytelling. opinion, our experience of the world, then COMPETITION, PARTICULARLY that can make a difference. This is what BETWEEN STREAMING PLATFORMS WHAT DO YOU FEEL IS MISSING FROM really excites me about the time in which SUCH AS NETFLIX AND AMAZON STORYTELLING TODAY THAT YOU we’re living. PRIME, HOW CAN FILMMAKERS ENSURE WANT TO BRING TO SCREENS? THAT THEIR WORK CONTINUES TO BE I think there is a growing desire for CHANNEL 4 HAS A UNIQUE STRUCTURE RELEVANT AND TO REACH DIVERSE multiplicity in the narratives that come to AS A ‘PUBLISHER BROADCASTER’ WITH AUDIENCES? our screens. In her TEDX talk, ‘The Danger NO IN-HOUSE PRODUCTION. IN YOUR This is an enormous challenge across the of a Single Story’, the novelist Chimamanda ROLE AS NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, board – there is just so much content Adichie talks about storytelling, and way in WHAT LESSONS DO YOU FEEL THE available to us at the click of a button. which our lives, our cultures, are composed WIDER INDUSTRY COULD LEARN FROM The most important thing for any film of many overlapping stories. She warns that THIS MODEL? maker is to know their audience – this is a single story creates stereotypes, and the The way Channel 4 is structured maximises absolutely crucial. It is also crucial to store problem with stereotypes is not that they its access to the best talent and the widest that awareness at the back rather than the are untrue, but that they are incomplete: idea pool. Having content coming from a forefront of your mind. they make one story become the only story. broad variety of production companies allows the channel to showcase so many Above all, a film maker is there to tell a story I started my career in film to tell the stories different perspectives. and this must come first. The aesthetics of that until now haven’t been told. My opinion the piece must always trump its ideology. isn’t a blank starting point though – nobody’s As with film, there are of course many layers I feel the greatest cinema happens when can be – which makes objectively telling a to television production. Each person carries the creative and the commercial sides of story impossible. We all carry with us our with them their own perspective, and it is production work alongside one another – own individual experiences of the world, impossible ever to be entirely subjective one cannot be allowed to drive the other. it’s just that the volume of some people’s about the kinds of stories you are telling. opinion is louder than others. Channel 4 is an organisation with a mission It can be really easy to assume that to innovate, and it is that intention that is audiences want to see a certain kind of I want to live in a world where we are key to the channel’s success. In the case thing, which inevitably leads to similar

6 CANVAS EXPANDING THE NARRATIVE: Interview with Uzma Hasan

“Creativity is a vital part of the human experience – it helps us to process the world around us and learn to engage with other people.”

“We all carry with us our own individual content being made time and time again. Interestingly, it is often when producers experiences of the world, it’s just that totally break away from the expectations of what an audience might enjoy that the most the volume of some people’s opinion is successful work is produced. For example, louder than others.” ten years ago who could have predicted that a comedy-drama about lesbians in a women’s prison would be one of the most successful shows of our generation? Orange is the New Black has been commissioned for a minimum of seven seasons and has won Uzma Hasan Uzma Hasan is co-founder and Producer numerous awards. at Little House Productions. Her latest BIOGRAPHY feature Firstborn (2016) premiered at IN YOUR ROLE ON THE SELECTION Edinburgh International Film Festival COMMITTEES FOR THE BRITISH ahead of a worldwide sale to Netflix. INDEPENDENT FILM AWARDS AND Her first featureThe Infidel (2010) was released internationally and went to FILM LONDON, WHAT SORT OF WORK be remade by Viacom India as Dharam DO YOU FIND MOST EYE CATCHING OR Sankat Mein (2015) and as a musical that THOUGHT PROVOKING? ran at Theatre Royal Stratford. It’s all so incredibly subjective, I’m not sure I could really categorise exactly what I look for She is developing projects with Ritesh when I’m acting as a judge. Judging on panels Batra (The Lunchbox), novelist Nikesh is a really bizarre thing for this reason! It’s Shukla as well as the film adaptation of incredibly humbling to read over a script or Gautam Malkani’s cult novel Londonstani to view a piece of cinema that someone has and working with the BFI and Amazon truly poured their heart into. Studios amongst others.

Uzma sits on the board of Channel 4 as a There’s never really a pattern as such to Non-Executive Director and on selection what I enjoy. I find that it’s generally more committees for the British Independent about creating a combination of surprising Film Awards and BAFTA. She read Film points of view with compelling images. It’s and Literature at Harvard University’s the work that catches me off guard that I Graduate School of Arts and Sciences often find most thought-provoking. C where she was a Kennedy Scholar.

CANVAS 7 MAINTAINING THE MUSIC OF LIFE: Interview with Bob Riley

MAINTAINING THE MUSIC OF LIFE INTERVIEW WITH BOB RILEY, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF MANCHESTER CAMERATA

8 CANVAS MAINTAINING THE MUSIC OF LIFE: Interview with Bob Riley

We talk to Bob Riley about the evolution of Manchester Camerata from a classical chamber orchestra into an organisation that pushes at the boundaries of everything it does, challenging expectations and keeping its audiences guessing. Bob shares details of the orchestra’s innovative dementia therapy programme and discusses whether the way we view experiential art has changed in the digital age.

ANCHESTER CAMERATA DO YOU CONSIDER THE ARTS TO BE would we choose NOT to encourage and WAS FAMOUSLY DECREASING IN THEIR IMPORTANCE grow something that we know to be hugely PROCLAIMED AS IN STATE EDUCATION? IF SO, WHAT beneficial and that is already in existence. ‘PROBABLY BRITAIN’S IMPACT IS THIS HAVING? It’s narrow and limits what’s possible in all MMOST ADVENTUROUS ORCHESTRA’ BY The decreasing focus on arts is a tragic and sorts of fields. THE TIMES. CAN YOU TELL ME A BIT stupid move. Our principal percussionist, ABOUT HOW YOU DRIVE INNOVATION Janet Fulton, recently had a letter published SHOULD MORE BE DONE TO IN WHAT IS OFTEN CONSIDERED A VERY in The Times to this effect. She argued that ENSURE THAT YOUNG PEOPLE OF TRADITIONAL INDUSTRY? music should be relocated to schools’ ALL BACKGROUNDS HAVE EQUAL We decided about four or five years ago language departments. It is possibly older OPPORTUNITIES AND ACCESS TO THE that we wanted to redefine how people than any other language, but is still used ARTS? perceive an orchestra, including challenging today. It brings people together, creates Yes! If we really mean ‘all backgrounds’ then common understandings or societal norms social cohesion and, wherever you go in the we must continue to think more keenly and of how, when, where and for whom an world, is understood. Language is no longer openly about how and why we want do to orchestra plays. So innovating at this point enough to serve this purpose. that and respond directly to the answers was about the basics – experimenting with we find. different genres of music, artists, venues and audiences. We were curious, we took “There’s little When we perform other types of music or risks, mostly it worked, and we always tried work with other art forms, too often, I still to learn something. in the world hear “so when might they come to a classical concert?”. We have to be more selfless Innovation is becoming something of an that’s truly new, and let music do the rest. Of course, we’ll overused term though: there’s little in it’s more about make everything we do open and available the world that’s truly new, it’s more about for anyone, but if a young rapper writes finding a different perspective through finding a different something brilliant for a group we work with which to see things. For us, that has meant and they don’t come to an event featuring moving outside of the normal practice perspective Mozart, then that’s fine as well. of having a classical music season and through which to programme. We’ve performed different MANCHESTER CAMERATA IS KNOWN genres of music, in different spaces and see things.” FOR CHAMPIONING YOUNG AND with difference artists – all chosen for UPCOMING ARTISTS. HAVE YOU very specific reasons. And, perhaps most FOUND THAT THEIR APPROACH TO importantly, through our community PERFORMANCE DIFFERS FROM THAT OF programmes we’ve placed people with I recently heard Dame Nancy Rothwell PREVIOUS GENERATIONS? specific needs in the role of creator or describe how creativity and digital were Something has certainly shifted with ever composer. This is where I believe some of going to run through the heart of everything increasing levels of information available our most significant work and impact is the University of Manchester does through digitally, both in terms of influence on artists made. its new initiative ‘CreativeMcr’. The idea is and as a consequence their approach that the institution and others like it that will and style of music making and I don’t The drive for us all is in making sure we help shape society for the future will need think that’s related to age. Great artists do all we can to make an impact with the students with a foundation in creativity and who have something to say will always people in our communities and audiences the arts. find new approaches and ways to do that, and in so doing help create a resilient irrespective of age. organisation that is even more relevant in It makes no sense to lessen focus on 10 years. We don’t get it right every time, the arts in state education – none at all. At the touch of a button, artists now have but sometimes the mistakes can be just as More than this, if you watch the innate access to an infinite number of influences, rewarding in terms of the learnings they creativity in children as they play and learn, which allows greater autonomy than provide! it is something that is innately there. Why ever before to drive their own style of

CANVAS 9 MAINTAINING THE MUSIC OF LIFE: Interview with Bob Riley

Hacienda Classical With Manchester Camerata

performance & profile. They can make their own choices about where and how they “Great artists who have something to should be seen and the persona they present say will always find new approaches and publicly. But does this mean their approach to performance is different? I’m not so sure. ways to do that, irrespective of age.”

I think there’s a real resilience and flexibility in the new generation of artists coming through. We recently worked with the composer Laura Piano Concerto. She’d just celebrated her YOUR WORK WITH COMMUNITIES IN Bowler to perform an intensely personal 75th birthday but played with a brilliance and THE NORTH WEST TO USE MUSIC AS piece titled ‘Femininity’. With just a week freshness of approach few can match. THERAPY? to go, one of the solo artists pulled out The aim was a bullish and an ambitious one and Laura worked with saxophonist Jess IN WHAT WAYS AND TO WHAT EXTENT we set ourselves some time ago, to really Gillam to rewrite the piece. It was a truly DO YOU BELIEVE THE PREVALENCE push us to see what it might mean to really remarkable moment and showcased the level OF MOBILE DEVICES AND NEW lead thinking. It has lead to a world first of excellence we have in British music. It was TECHNOLOGY HAS CHANGED THE WAY PhD research collaboration (due to publish also testament to the importance of human WE VIEW EXPERIENTIAL ART, INCLUDING in the near future) with The University of contact in a digital age. By working together LIVE MUSIC? Manchester, focusing on a programme of and directly communicating, Laura and Jess There are so many obvious positives about dementia music therapy that we run called were able to produce an outstanding piece. the prevalence of and use of mobile devices, ‘Music in Mind’. Much of the programme but you only have to look around on the train has been delivered in North West England, It can be very easy to assume that simply on a morning commute to see that they can but over the last 2 years we’ve also worked because they haven’t grown up as ‘digital also shut us off from communicating with in Japan, China and Taiwan to share our natives’, more established performers don’t each other. experiences. This has been fascinating for us have access to the information their younger to learn how other cultures view the issues counterparts have at their fingertips. This is Of course, the tech in mobiles opens up so surrounding dementia, and how music simply not true, we are just trained to focus many opportunities for the ways in which we therapy could be used. so heavily on new talent that sometimes in can experience art and live music, but let’s that noise, we dismiss older generations. not forget that there’s another way. Next Manchester Camerata is also involved in time you’re at a gig, why not switch it off, a number of projects across the North of Look at David Bowie’s Lazarus, for example. experience it raw, forget social media, and get England to support people with mental health Right up to the moment of his death, Bowie stuck in analogue style? issues, autism and also working with young was producing work the like of which we people in schools. And despite our lofty and may never see again. Great artists of all ages ONE OF MANCHESTER CAMERATA’S AIMS ambitious aim, our work is about making a never cease to amaze me in their approach IS TO BE A GLOBAL THOUGHT LEADER difference to individual lives. – for instance the incredible pianist Martha IN HEALTH AND WELLBEING BY 2020. Argerich’s BBC Proms performance of Liszt CAN YOU EXPLAIN A BIT MORE ABOUT For me, that impact is best demonstrated

10 CANVAS MAINTAINING THE MUSIC OF LIFE: Interview with Bob Riley

closer to home. Our creative and improvisatory ‘Music in Mind’ sessions are intended to help people suffering with dementia to express themselves and communicate with those around them. I was at a workshop in Tameside recently at the end of one of our projects. It was an hour long-session with carers and families, and for the duration of that hour the music never stops – our musicians simply respond to what’s happening in the room. There was one lady sitting in a wheelchair who Manchester Camerata with award winning saxophonist Jess Gillam had been in hospital for two weeks but when she heard and saw our musicians responding to her smile and the rhythm she was tapping “We are trained to focus so heavily on her knee, something clicked in her and on new talent that sometimes in that she got up from her chair and started slowly dancing around the room. noise, we dismiss older generations.”

It’s a real passion project for all of us at Manchester Camerata. I think that lady is one CAMERATA HAS OPENED THE PYRAMID of the most important audience members I’ve STAGE AT GLASTONBURY AND met in the last year. It shows how important it BOB RILEY BIOGRAPHY PARTNERED WITH HACIENDA DJS – is that we all challenge what is expected and WHAT’S NEXT? look for ways to pass on human connectivity to Bob Riley is Chief Executive of We’re always looking for new ways to push those around us. Manchester Camerata. His work in this ourselves and continue the ‘redefinition’, so role is driven by the passionate belief you can definitely expect more new projects. AS A SOCIAL ENTERPRISE, IS THERE A that orchestras can transform and Our latest project, Joy Division Orchestrated, CHALLENGE IN TERMS OF ENSURING THAT transport people, and make positive launched a couple of weeks ago and will show YOU ARE BALANCING THE EXPECTATIONS change in our society. at The Royal Albert Hall in London next year, OF FUNDERS WITH THOSE OF YOUR We are also making strong progress with an AUDIENCES? Led by Bob, the team delivered two ambitious five-year legacy project, ‘Mozart, We always try to engage our funders directly in Royal Philharmonic Society awards and made in Manchester’, in which we will perform our events, community work and more, so in a one from the Association of British and record all Mozart’s piano concertos. Our way our funders are our audience. It’s one big Orchestras, for the epic ‘Hacienda work with PhD student Robyn Dowlen will team and partnership effort here at Camerata, Classical’ collaboration with Hacienda be published soon and so we’re particularly and that’s been a key to our success. Club DJs which saw the orchestra open excited to see what we can learn from this so Of course - there are partners who want very the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury 2017. that we can start thinking about the next steps specific things, and we have to make sure we The team’s enterprise and energy, led for our Music in Mind programme both in can deliver that, even if it’s not what some a world first in dementia research that terms of delivering this to communities across parts of our audience might want. And that’s directed clinical music therapists and Greater Manchester and internationally. simply about being careful to make sure specially trained Camerata musicians to mission and values are aligned at the outset of work with people living with dementia We’re also delighted to be working with Laura a partnership, and that what we will deliver is and their carers through group music Bowler again on a BBC co-commission. Laura also very clear. therapy. All of this is underpinned by a visited Antarctica and recorded a variety of world class orchestra, touring, recording, sounds during her trip – these will be used The majority of our funds (80 per cent) and receiving the 5 stars its musicians to create a wholly immersive experience to come from the work we do in terms of richly deserve. bring back the soundscapes of the Antarctic, concert series, tours and performances, and including temperature, smell and light. While partnerships in our community work. Public Prior to his role as CEO, Bob enjoyed a the entire orchestra sadly won’t be going to funders represent the other 20 per cent. varied career as a freelance violinist and the Antarctic, we will be touring to Dubai and violist, working with many of the UK’s Budapest in the coming months. Of course, what everyone wants – funder or orchestras and in particular gained huge audience member, is for our events to inspire inspiration from working with Graham IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU WOULD them and our community work to make a Vick’s Birmingham Opera Company. LIKE TO SHARE THAT’S ON YOUR MIND real impact to people’s lives. Keeping an eye Alongside a playing career, Bob founded CURRENTLY? on that outcome is the most important thing Blue Frog Music Management with Go and support live artists, be part of that for us as we shape the future direction of the colleague Fiona Sinclair, and together human interaction, donate to one of the organisation. they toured ensembles all over Europe, amazing arts organisations and charities near he ran an orchestra, and has played for you. Those artists and organisations need YOU HAVE PREVIOUSLY BEEN QUOTED Her Majesty The Queen and performed support. Get stuck in and you’ll enjoy untold AS WANTING TO ‘REDEFINE WHAT AN on Top of the Pops with Kylie and more. rewards. C ORCHESTRA CAN DO’. MANCHESTER

CANVAS 11 LADIES OF QUALITY AND DISTINCTION: Interview with Caro Howell and Larissa Joy

LADIES OF QUALITY & DISTINCTION

In celebration of the 2018 centenary of female suffrage, Director of the Foundling Museum, Caro Howell, chose to spend a year shining a light on the untold and often overlooked stories of the women who made the Foundling Hospital a possibility. Caro shares a behind-the-scenes view of the curation of the ‘Ladies of Quality & Distinction’ exhibition, while chair of the museum, Larissa Joy, shares her thoughts on the way in which the relationship between arts and charity continues to thrive in the modern day. Saxton Bampfylde proudly sponsored this remarkable exhibition.

PICTURED: Isabella, Duchess of Manchester (1705–1786) CARO HOWELL who signed Coram’s petition on 6 January 1730 DIRECTOR OF THE FOUNDLING MUSEUM

HERE DID THE IDEA OF ‘LADIES PROGRAMME HAS CREATED FOR YOUNG as ‘punching above our weight’ and, perhaps OF QUALITY & DISTINCTION’ PEOPLE? perversely, that so many of the team get WEXHIBITION BEGIN? The Fellowship enables exceptional artists poached by major national museums! I think it Women are an absent presence in the of all disciplines to animate our core story reflects the exceptional quality of the work we Museum. Mothers who left babies at the and continue our creative DNA. Projects do, especially our exhibitions, artists’ projects, Foundling Hospital were largely anonymous, devised by Fellows including Grayson Perry, and pioneering work with very vulnerable the charity’s Governors were all men until the Jacqueline Wilson, Yinka Shonibare MBE and children. 20th century; the artists, musicians, writers and Lily Cole, have enabled looked-after children craftsmen who donated work were mainly men; to see themselves, the world, and their place We have also acquired a number of major and all bar one of the Governors’ portraits in it, differently. Many also have unexpected works of art that have immeasurably improved are male. So two years ago, when we were legacies; Chris Watson’s Fellowship led to our ability to tell our core story. These include planning our 2018 season, I suggested we the Museum creating the first paid training a commissioned painting by Sir Michael used the year of Vote100 to explore our history programme for care-experienced young adults, Craig-Martin, a sculpture by Yinka Shonibare and collections from a female perspective. As enabling them to work in museums; while MBE and, most recently, providing a lasting with many a mammoth undertaking, it started Michael Morpurgo’s led to the publication last legacy for our Ladies of Quality & Distinction with a fairly innocuous question; ‘I wonder if it year of his novella, Lucky Button. exhibition, the Portrait of Isabella, Duchess would be possible to track down portraits of of Manchester, who was one of Coram’s first the 21 Ladies?’; Thomas Coram’s first, catalytic WHAT DO YOU THINK ARE THE KEY supporters. supporters. COMPONENTS OF A SUCCESSFUL RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE DIRECTOR WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD FOR THE WHY SHOULD THIS EXHIBITION RESONATE OF AN ORGANISATION AND THE CHAIR OF FOUNDLING MUSEUM? WITH WOMEN AND MEN TODAY? THEIR BOARD? We are passionate in our belief that artists The exhibition demonstrated that there is There has to be mutual respect for the skills can galvanize the public into positive action. a difference between power and influence; and expertise of each. When it comes to the It lies at the heart of our historic story and it that even when we lack power, we must arts, the chair and the director will both be is the engine that drives much of our work. never underestimate our ability to influence doing it for love, not money, so the passion and Our current exhibition, Bedrooms of London, positive change. It’s also a great example of vision needs to be shared. The two roles can is collaboration with the Childhood Trust, people using their privilege to help those in also be isolating, so being a sounding board and highlights the crisis in social housing and situations of extreme disadvantage. Finally, it and critical friend for the other is crucial, as is its impact on child poverty in London. Katie reminds us of the need to be inclusive in our having a sense of humour. I think it’s also very Wilson’s photographs show the spaces in which stories of success; that very rarely are great useful if the two personalities are different – I children are sleeping, alongside first-hand things achieved without the help of many and like working with people who think and act narratives from families. Our aim is to challenge different people. differently to me. Above all else, there needs to prejudices and stereotypes, and to inspire our be loyalty and trust. visitors to get involved to directly help improve THE FOUNDLING MUSEUM RUNS A these children’s lives. In this way we honour the BIENNIAL FOUNDLING FELLOWSHIP WHAT ARE YOU MOST EXCITED ABOUT legacy of William Hogarth and George Frideric PROGRAMME. CAN YOU TELL US A BIT THAT HAS HAPPENED AT THE FOUNDLING Handel and keep the story alive and relevant. MORE ABOUT THE THINKING BEHIND MUSEUM DURING YOUR TENURE? THIS AND THE OPPORTUNITIES THE I am very proud that we are so often described

12 CANVAS LADIES OF QUALITY AND DISTINCTION: Interview with Caro Howell and Larissa Joy

LARISSA JOY CHAIR OF THE FOUNDLING MUSEUM AND NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AT SAXTON BAMPFYLDE

HAT DREW YOU TO THE which we draw inspiration FOUNDLING MUSEUM? in the work the museum WThere are so many things! It does today with children combines my passions for the arts, education, and young people. social history, and issues affecting children and William Hogarth, widely PICTURED: The Foundling Museum young people. The Museum shows how the arts referred to as the Father – in all its forms – can really inspire individuals of British Art, played WHAT IMPACT DOES THIS HAVE ON THE from all parts of society to make a positive, a major role in helping Coram establish the FOUNDLING MUSEUM’S STRATEGY? tangible difference and to help address some Hospital, and he really understood this link, I am fortunate to work closely with a number of society’s most intractable issues. That is and found ‘win wins’ in the most inspiring way. of very talented CEOs in my current board and something that really resonates with me. I will He encouraged the leading contemporary chair roles. I think each relationship is quite also always remember the first time I saw the artists of the day to give the finest examples of different, but when I think about examples museum’s poignant display of ‘tokens’: everyday their art to the Hospital to help provide a role of where things are working well I’d say that objects the mothers left behind when they left model to others in their giving; he organised openness, honesty, no surprises and alignment their babies at the Foundling Hospital. I still find an innovative lottery to raise money against about the priorities are the key aspects of the I have to catch my breath when I think about his extraordinary painting ‘The March of the relationship. what they meant to the mothers who had no Guards to Finchley’, whilst all the while creating choice but to leave their babies. at the Hospital one of the most fashionable IS ENOUGH BEING DONE TO ENCOURAGE cultural destinations in 18th Century London to A MORE DIVERSE REPRESENTATION OF THE THE ‘LADIES OF QUALITY & DISTINCTION’ see and be seen. The excellent music education POPULATION TO ENGAGE WITH ARTS AND EXHIBITION CELEBRATED THE WOMEN afforded to the Foundling children meant CULTURE IN A SOCIAL, POLITICAL AND WITHOUT WHOM THE FOUNDLING that there was such demand for places at the ECONOMIC SENSE? HOSPITAL WOULD NEVER HAVE BEEN Foundling Hospital Chapel on a Sunday that I recently heard Maria Balshaw, the Director of POSSIBLE. WHAT CAN THE FOUNDLING families rented pews to secure their places. Tate, talk on this topic and I found her views MUSEUM TEACH US TODAY ABOUT VOICES very inspiring. There are so many fantastic WITHOUT POWER? WHAT ARE THE KEY CHARACTERISTICS examples of arts organisations committing While the 21 Ladies of Quality and Distinction AND SKILLS THAT BOARDS SHOULD BE time and talent to this issue. The Donmar’s who signed Thomas Coram’s Ladies’ petition LOOKING FOR TO HELP DRIVE FORWARD ‘Pay It Forward’ project to encourage more may have not had power in 18th Century ORGANISATIONS IN THE ARTS AND young people to engage with theatre is one Britain, they certainly had influence. It is sadly CULTURE SECTOR? inspiring example, but there are many others, the case that it took the ladies to push the It’s a long – and growing – list! But I think for example Sistema and the work they do with gentlemen to get the snowball hurtling down towards the top of the list for me would young people and music. the mountain. But the ladies’ decision to probably be three things: genuinely diverse support Coram’s cause was indisputably the thinking – embracing the challenge, ideas The Foundling Museum runs an early years catalyst that resulted in the Hospital being able and improvements that result from genuine nursery programme that specifically seeks to to open its doors, taking in over 25,000 babies diversity on a board – a shared commitment to include not only the preschool children from a at risk of abandonment. ‘leaning in’ to support the development goals of very broad range of cultures and communities the organisation; and a focus and commitment but also their carers and families. We also run We know from the extensive archives that to good governance. And perhaps a fourth: a very exciting paid apprenticeship programme Thomas Coram had tried for ten years to a sense of humour, because not everything with young care leavers, equipping them with convince the leading gentlemen of the day always goes according to plan! the skills and experience to run art-based to support his cause. It was only when the workshops for children in care. There are just 21 Ladies signed the Ladies’ petition and IN YOUR OPINION, WHAT IS THE PROFILE so many fantastic examples of where arts persuaded their husbands to commit to the OF AN IDEAL NON-EXECUTIVE? organisations are making an impact. cause that things actually started moving. So, For me it’s as much about the combination of quite literally, it would never have happened skills across the board team as it is about any ‘Tuned in’ funders really understand the without them. The exhibition was about single individual. I have just done a brilliant impact of this work on building the fabric of an bringing those women to the fore and telling day with one of my boards where we worked empathetic, cohesive civil society. To respond the story of the impact of their involvement with the members to profile their individual to the question of ‘is enough being done?’, in the year of the centenary of partial female strengths, workstyles and preferences and many arts organisations understand this work suffrage. looked in detail at how they could get the best is sometimes challenging to achieve and while out of each other. there is often immediate impact, the even more THE FOUNDLING HOSPITAL WAS meaningful impact comes with consistency and SIMULTANEOUSLY THE UK’S FIRST That exercise was so valuable as a way to long-term commitment. If only there were more CHILDREN’S CHARITY AND FIRST PUBLIC really understand colleagues’ strengths and funding to make more of this work happen ART GALLERY. DO YOU THINK THE LINK motivations and what makes them tick. It was more consistently! C BETWEEN ART, CULTURE AND CHARITY one of the best workshops I have ever done, REMAINS AS RELEVANT IN TODAY’S and it has already made a tangible difference to WORLD? IS THIS ECONOMIC MODEL the way we are working with one other. For more information visit: TODAY AS POWERFUL OR IS IT LESS www.foundlingmuseum.org.uk/ STRONG? HOW DO YOU LIKE TO STRUCTURE events/ladies-of-quality-distinction/ It is a timeless model I think, and one from YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR CEO?

CANVAS 13 KEY APPOINTMENTSKEY APPOINTMENTS

KEY APPOINTMENTS

Saxton Bampfylde and its partners around the world through Panorama advise many recognised museums, galleries, performing arts institutions and heritage bodies. We are delighted to share with you a selection of some of the roles that we have been privileged to work on recently.

CARLOS ACOSTA CBE AXEL RUGER SARAH FRANKCOM Birmingham Royal Ballet Royal Academy LAMDA Director Secretary and Chief Executive Director Birmingham Royal Ballet has announced that Axel Rüger has been appointed as Secretary The London Academy of Music & Dramatic internationally renowned Carlos Acosta CBE and Chief Executive of the RA. Axel has overseen Art (LAMDA) has announced the appointment has been appointed as its new Director. He will major renovations to the Van Gogh Museum of theatre director Sarah Frankcom as its take up his appointment in January 2020. Carlos since becoming its director in 2006, including a new Director. Frankcom joins from the Royal trained at the National Ballet School of Cuba, full redisplay of the permanent collection and Exchange Theatre in Manchester where she winning the prestigious Prix de Lausanne at the the construction of a new entrance building on has been Artistic Director for the last five years. age of 16, before enjoying a celebrated thirty-year the Museumplein in Amsterdam. After working Frankcom is widely regarded as one of the career in dance with many of the world’s leading in a number of American museums, Axel was most influential British theatre directors of the ballet companies. He was a Principal with the curator of Dutch paintings at the National last decade. She was responsible for bringing a Royal Ballet for 17 years and danced all the major Gallery in London, where he curated the highly series of critically acclaimed shows to the Royal classical, and many contemporary roles. He is the acclaimed ‘Vermeer and the Delft School’ and Exchange, most recently Death of a Salesman, greatest male dancer of his generation and, in an exhibition on Aelbert Cuyp. He has published Happy Days and Our Town, for which she was many people’s eyes, one of the greatest dancers and lectured widely on 17th-century Dutch art awarded Best Director at the 2018 UK Theatre of all time. and is a trustee of the Art Fund. Awards.

ALEX McGOWAN BENNY HIGGINS LUCY CASOT Citizens Theatre Sistema Scotland Museums Galleries Scotland Executive Director / Joint CEO Chair CEO The Citizens Theatre has appointed Alex Sistema Scotland, the charity which runs Museums Galleries Scotland (MGS) has McGowan as the new Executive Director to the Big Noise programme, has announced appointed Lucy Casot as CEO. Lucy joins work alongside Artistic Director Dominic Hill as the appointment of Benny Higgins as its MGS from Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) joint Chief Executive from 2019. Alex has been new Chair. Benny has held a number of Scotland where, as Head, she has overseen Executive Director and joint Chief Executive senior executive roles in the banking sector, a great variety of grants to Scotland’s Officer of the Royal Lyceum Theatre Company including with Standard Life, RBS, HBOS, and museums and galleries, from major in Edinburgh for the last eight years. Alex has 25 becoming Chief Executive of Tesco Bank in museum capital developments including the years’ experience gained throughout the UK in 2008. In June 2018, Benny was appointed by Riverside Museum, Robert Burns Birthplace theatres ranging from the Macrobert in Stirling the Scottish Government as strategic adviser Museum, National Museum of Scotland and Northern Stage in Newcastle upon Tyne to for the establishment of the Scottish National and the V&A Dundee, to investment in skills the Young Vic and Unicorn Theatres in London. Investment Bank. He is also Chair of the training, collections management, learning From 2012-2018 Alex was Chair of the Federation National Galleries of Scotland amongst other programmes and acquisitions. of Scottish Theatres. roles.

14 CANVAS KEY APPOINTMENTS

RHIAN HARRIS IAIN JACOB TARA TOMCSIK-HUSAK Lakeland Arts Cinema First Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit Chief Executive Chair Executive Director Rhian Harris, after a decade as Director of The Cinema First, the cross-industry body working The Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit has V&A Museum of Childhood, has joined Lakeland to promote UK cinema-going, has announced announced its new Executive Director, Tara Arts as its new Chief Executive. She takes over that Iain Jacob, formerly CEO of Publicis Media Tomcsik-Husak. Mosaic is known an exemplary from retiring Gordon Watson who has led EMEA, has been appointed as the organisation’s youth arts program and a leader in the new field Lakeland Arts for eight years. Lakeland Arts new Chair. Jacob was Chief Executive of Publicis of Creative Youth Development. Tara brings 20 has a portfolio of galleries and museums in the Media EMEA until he stepped down in April years of experience in the non-profit, corporate Lake District - a UNESCO World Heritage Site. last year. He was previously Chief Executive of hospitality and news sectors to Mosaic, most During Rhian’s Directorship at V&A Museum of Starcom MediaVest Group EMEA, Australia and recently serving as Vice President of Mission Childhood she led a period of transformation with Canada. Jacob was appointed as Chair of UKOM, Advancement for Michigan with the American vibrant exhibition programmes and outstanding the body that defines and governs the UK Heart Association. A native Detroiter and Wayne engagement work with local communities. industry standard for online measurement. State graduate, Tomcsik-Husak is also an Prior to that she was Director at the Foundling accomplished actress and singer. Museum and started her museums career at the Wellcome Trust.

MIND THE GAP AROUND THE COUNTRY Leadership and Succession Planning in the UK’s Arts and Culture Sector

In 2018 we took our thought piece Mind – public, commercial and philanthropic; the the Gap: Leadership and Succession Planning increased need for improved and varied in the UK’s Arts and Culture Sector out to communication to raise awareness; as leaders in the arts, culture and heritage well being able to create genuinely new sectors across the UK. Throughout the and exciting experiences through a variety year Ed Bampfylde and Dr Jennifer Barnes, of mediums to maintain a current and Partners in Saxton Bampfylde’s Arts and vibrant approach. These areas were keenly Culture practice, hosted a series of dinners discussed as part of the fundamental to look at leadership and succession focus points for leaders as they chart new planning in the sector, and consider the territories for the sector and drive forward themes, challenges and opportunities that its success for the future. these present. We will continue to share our thoughts The reception at our events has been and plan to produce a follow-on piece next very encouraging and has generated a year. If you would like to be involved please considerable amount of conversation – do let us know. both on topics covered in the piece and in other areas that are of particular and To download a copy of Mind the Gap, increasing interest in the identification visit our website and nurturing of leadership talent. Topics www.saxbam.com/mind-the-gap covered have included: the need for Or get in touch: greater diversity, the importance of funding [email protected]

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SAXTON BAMPFYLDE MISSION STATEMENT We exist to change the world by changing leaders in interesting and important organisations. At the same time we aim to create an environment wherein all members of our community can grow to their fullest extent emotionally, intellectually and spiritually.

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GLOBAL ARTS & CULTURE TEAM KEY CONTACTS

UK Ed Bampfylde, Partner [email protected]

Stephen Bampfylde, Partner [email protected]

Dr. Jennifer Barnes, Partner [email protected] NORTH AMERICA John Sparrow, Partner [email protected]

Patrick Kenniff, Partner [email protected]

Nat Sutton, Partner [email protected]

Cathy Brown, Partner [email protected] Blaire Miller, Partner [email protected] AUSTRALASIA Sean Davies, Partner [email protected] ASIA Neha Sharma, Partner [email protected]

Saxton Bampfylde is a member of Panorama, a global partnership of 21 leading independent executive search firms and leadership advisory around the world. panoramasearch.com