Week Notes (19 May - 25 May)
A little late posting again this week. I’m not quite into a weekly rhythm, however, I’ll get better at posting regularly and building the habit.
This week brought a gentle shift. I started the week feeling a bit stuck and unproductive but by the end of the week my energy had returned.
I had some brilliant conversations, confirmed my first piece of freelance work I’m genuinely excited about, and remembered that establishing myself as a freelancer isn’t linear. I’ll share more news about what it is when I’m able to!
I’m also excited to share that I’ve officially joined CounterCulture as an Associate.
Reflecting about what I really want from the next few years and how I can ensure I’m setting myself up for success. There’s something freeing about choosing to work differently. I’ve been focusing on momentum on multiple fronts, moving multiple counters on the board, rather than following a singular path. This plurality has been challenging and rewarding in equal measure.
It has also been wonderful re-connecting with colleagues and contacts. Inevitably in a busy job it can be hard to make time to keep connections, this time and space has been fantastic in providing opportunity to catch up with people and touch base on what they’re working on.
I’ve continued to enjoy nature and spot the small things. This week there were bees all over the alliums and it was wonderful to see them collecting the pollen. I discovered local honey at the market thanks to Metropollen and have been enjoying it, wondering whether it’s come from any of the bees I’ve been spotting.
It was the music fair at my daughter’s school this week. As someone working in the creative sector, I absolutely value a rounded education and want my daughter to have opportunity to experience as many things as possible so she can find her passions and interests. She was excited to explore adding to her musical education. What was amazing was the children enjoying the opportunity to play with different instruments and meeting amazing teachers who are doing fantastic work to provide inspiration and encouragement to the children.
Watching / Listening / Reading
📖 Digital Leadership has never been more important by Ash Mann. The opportunity digital presents for the future, to grow audiences, diversify audiences and generate new income streams should not be underestimated. That doesn’t mean it’s easy but it is necessary.
🎭 Ballet BC at Sadlers Wells. A fantastic double bill and it definitely felt like an evening of two halves. It was great to get out and see some dance. It’s been too long!
📺 Welcome to Wrexham on Disney+. There’s been a transition since the first series which seemed really embedded in the community and the people of Wrexham, this series is more focused on the international dimension and business of succeeding financially as a football club.
📖 Shared by Cultural Digital, an interview with National Gallery of Art’s Chief Information officer, looking at the use of AI and digital leadership
📖 Chris Unitt on Mapping digital project types in the arts and culture sector I agree with Chris that it feels like there’s a lot of talk of transformation from digital and not all projects are that transformational. However, I also hope that the talk is more organisations realising they need to take digital seriously and invest in the opportunities it presents for the future.
💬 Return to Office mandates: What’s at stake for workers and equality at King’s College London Global Institute for Women’s Leadership. A reminder of the impact of return to office mandates, the need to ensure that time is used for effective collaboration and ensuring productivity is about outcomes not being visible.
Roles
📍Location: Royal Exchange Theatre
💰Salary: £85,000
📅 Deadline: 24 June 2025
Head of Culture, Creative Industries & Sport
📍Location: North East Combined Authority
💰Salary: £81,069 - £85,885
📅 Deadline: Closing 3 June 25
Head of Cross Arts Planning & Strategic Operations at the Barbican
📍Location (hybrid): Barbican Centre
⌛ Fixed term 18-24 months (Full-Time)
💰 Salary: £66,190 - £75,010
📅 Deadline: Friday 30 May 2025 at 23:55
Communications and Engagement Officer, Greater London Authority.
📍Location (hybrid): London
💷 Salary: £47,245.
📅Deadline: Monday 9 June at 23:59
Back again next week for more insights, reflections and thoughts.