Leading with Purpose: Cultural Education in Practice

A collection of observations, studies, analysis and practical tools for today’s cultural educators.

• The Story so Far

  This piece by Dr David Parker explores the evolving landscape of cultural education leadership in the UK, emphasising challenges, opportunities, and strategies for supporting sector professionals.

  The Story so Far (PDF)

• Voices of Change

  This article by John Riches explores the experiences, leadership approaches, and pathways of diverse cultural education leaders advocating for accessible and equitable arts engagement.

  Voices of Change (PDF)

• Rethinking Leadership in Cultural Education

  In this article, Dr. David Parker applies his credentials in the space to explore why cultural education leadership matters, what makes it distinctive, and what might be needed to support those who lead in this sector.

  Rethinking Leadership in Cultural Education (PDF)

• Spaces of Possibility and Pockets of Hope

  In this article, Dr Chrissie Tiller explores the critical theory and pedagogies that underpin cultural education. Aligned with the philosophy of Sankofa, she examines the works and thinking of seven educational philosophers – past and present – offering both context to their ideas and practical applications for use with children and young people. Look out for the ‘Creating Spaces of Hope’ box-outs throughout the piece for practical examples of these ideas in action.

  Spaces of Possibility and Pockets of Hope (PDF)

• Speaking the Same Language

  Dr David Parker explores this broad landscape, emphasising the importance of clear, inclusive language to describe the work its leaders do. He reminds us of the common commitment that unites them: ‘enabling others – especially children and young people – to access and shape culture meaningfully.

  Speaking the Same Language (PDF)

• About the authors and contributors

  Dr David Parker

  David currently works as a freelance consultant specialising in the design and evaluation of arts-based and creativity focused education initiatives. His clients include the Southbank Centre, the Saturday Club Trust, the British Council, Tate Modern, Arts Council England, the Imperial War Museum, Arts Council Wales and the British Film Institute.

  Prior to this, David was Director of Research at Creative and Cultural Skills from 2012 - 15. He mapped future skills needs of the creative and cultural industries. From 2004 – 2012 David was Director of Research for the Creative Partnerships Programme, the UK government’s flagship creative learning investment. This work is summarised in his book Creative Partnerships in Practice (Bloomsbury, 2013).

  Previously, David was a researcher at the British Film Institute from 1999 – 2004 where he took a particular interest in the uses of moving image media in the teaching and learning of literacy.

  John Riches

  John began working as a youth arts worker in east London in the early 1990s, and arrived at a core conviction early on – that the most vital, rich and authentic creative outcomes emerge from within communities, rather than within traditional cultural institutions and spaces. He subsequently took that practice to English National Opera and the National Theatre/Art of Regeneration, before turning freelance over 20 years ago.

  Since then, with a particular interest in ‘non-mainstream’ routes to both creative practice and qualifications, he has held numerous roles for Trinity College/Arts Award, A New Direction – as a fundraiser, project manager, editor and adviser – and many others. In addition to his current freelance roles, John is the part-time Director of QueenSpark Books in Brighton.

  Dr Chrissie Tiller

  Chrissie is a writer, thinker, practitioner and educator whose work sits at the intersection between critical pedagogy, political activism and collaborative and social art practice. This includes initiating and leading practice-based artist educations across the EU, Nordic countries, Central and Eastern Europe, Palestine, Turkey, Uganda and Japan and acting as advisor on arts and social change for the EU Commission, British Council, Council of Europe, European Cultural Foundation and the Goethe-Institut. From 2004 -2014 she initiated and then led the MA in Participatory and Community Arts at Goldsmiths, London University.

  Following a 3-year Fellowship at the Technological University, Dublin to explore her practice and writing through the lens of the intersecting oppressions of gender and social class, she was recently awarded her Doctorate. Chrissie currently acts as critical friend to a number of arts organisations, including Heart of Glass, Liverpool, TekstLab, Oslo and The Agency, London.

  Contributors

  The ten leaders who took part in Voices Of Change: A Call To Transform Cultural Education

  Catherine Ritman-Smith

  For over 20 years, Catherine has led creative learning programmes in a variety of cultural settings including the Design Museum and Somerset House. She is currently Head of Learning and Engagement at Young V&A in Bethnal Green.

  Jamie Hale

  After building a freelance consultancy and performance career since 2017, in 2021 Jamie Hale also founded CRIPtic Arts, now one of the UK’s most exciting disabled-led artistic and cultural organisations, carrying out research, developing creatives, and staging performance.

  Liza Vallance

  Liza is a creative producer, evaluator, and consultant with over 20 years’ experience in the arts and heritage sectors. She is passionate about using creativity to empower communities, amplify underrepresented voices, and make the case for investment in arts and culture as a driver of social change.

  Nuna Sandy

  As Artistic Director of Company Three, Nuna has directed This Cit at the Park Theatre and two sold out runs of #BlackIs… at the Pleasance and New Diorama Theatres. Prior to joining Company Three, Nuna was a member of the Olivier award-winning company Boy Blue Entertainment, ZooNation: The Kate Prince Company, and one of the founding members of the dance group Plague. She worked as a teacher, choreographer, movement director and Facilitator for companies including Lyric Hammersmith and London Studio Centre.

  Nuna has also choreographed performances at Sadlers Wells, Barbican Centre and The Place.

  Paul Crook

  Paul is Head of Communities & Learning at South London Gallery (SLG), where he leads innovative programmes with schools, families, young people, and local residents. Previously, as Young People’s Programme Manager, he worked with SLG’s youth collective, the Art Assassins, and led The Signs Project with residents of Sceaux Gardens housing estate. He has also held the role of Curator: Youth and Community Programmes at Whitechapel Gallery. Trained as an artist, Paul began his career working in a youth centre before moving into gallery learning.

  Rachel Bagshaw

  Rachel is a theatre director with over 20 years’ experience encompassing education, participatory, new work and classical texts across the UK and internationally.

  She has been Co-CEO and Artistic Director at the Unicorn Theatre since 2023. She was previously Associate Director there from 2018 to 2023, and an Associate at the National Theatre from 2022 to 2024.

  Tina Ramdeen

  Tina is the Associate Director of Young People at the Roundhouse. She is passionate about providing equitable access to high-quality creative opportunities, creating progression pathways that diversify the creative industries, and empowering young people to use creativity to drive social change. Tina has worked extensively in the youth and education sectors and advises cultural organisations on policy and practice for engaging young people.

  Tony Cealy

  Tony is a creative practitioner and cultural producer who uses the arts to create dialogue about social, economic, and political issues. He works in partnership with governments, advocacy organisations, and community groups to co-create programmes, projects and events that support people to navigate uncertainty and complexity, and to drive policy change through participatory processes that are joyful, creative and accessible.

  Tony co-designs a range of community led workshops, performances, projects and programmes focused on empowerment and social change. www.tonycealy.com

  Shereen Jasmin Phillips

  Shereen is an award-winning multidisciplinary creative and senior leader of Vincentian heritage. She is currently Founder and Creative Director of Applied Scripted Arc, which was founded to offer independent script consultancy and writing development programmes, alongside creative engagement projects for the wider community. She recently served as a literary and artistic adviser on To Sir, With Love – A New Musical, which was performed in concert in November 2025 at the Gillian Lynne Theatre in London.

  Previously, Shereen was the Creative Director of Taking Part, the Young Vic’s Creative Engagement Department, which she led from 2019 – 2025, delivering free programmes for thousands of young people and adults in Lambeth and Southwark each year.

  Steve Moffitt

  Steve has worked as part of the cultural education sector for 40 years and is a passionate advocate for high quality practise. Steve has been CEO of A New Direction since 2008. In previous roles, Steve led on delivery of the Creative Partnerships programme in London, was Head of ENO Baylis at English National Opera, Artistic Director and Associate Director of Theatre Venture, and a drama practitioner with Community Arts Workshop.

  Steve was awarded an MBE for services to Arts and Culture in the 2024 New Years Honours list.

• Further Reading and Resources

  Recommended Reading (PDF)

  Analysis: The Policy, the Impact, and the Mismatch (PDF)

  UK Cultural Policy, 1980-2020s Timeline and analysis (PDF)

• Glossary

  Download the helpful glossary which explains key terms used in the main publication.

  Glossary (PDF)