State of the Arts
Wednesday 12 November, 18:30 – 21:30

This event is organised in conjunction with Columbia Business School

We all participate in art and culture, but have you considered the sector from a business perspective? The UK is recognised around the world for its vibrant culture, art, and heritage. However, to survive and flourish, engaging increasingly larger and more diverse audiences, the sector needs to rethink its operating models, how it stays relevant, how it innovates, and how it ensures financial stability.

Our panel, recognised leaders in the field, will discuss some of the interesting challenges and business dilemmas facing the many and diverse players in the sector, as well as the opportunities presented by technical developments, creative innovation and entrepreneurship. They will consider different strategies, how the ecosystem is changing, and the interplay between commercial initiatives, public funding and philanthropy. How do you resolve the inevitable tensions between commercial imperatives and artistic or cultural integrity, and what role can entrepreneurs, individuals and companies can play?

Join us for an intimate and candid conversation with:

Bernard Donoghue OBE is Chair, Director, Trustee and Ambassador for Tourism, Heritage and Culture Organisations and is a sought-after public speaker. A highly successful communicator, policy analyst, lobbyist and strategist, he works at national CEO level representing the UK’s most iconic and important cultural, heritage, artistic and tourism organisations. He has over 30 years board experience, working with some of the UK’s best-known and well-regarded NGO’s. His work includes government, government agencies, EU and UN political institutions and charities. Bernard regularly speaks on board governance, leadership, fundraising, strategy, stakeholder management, lobbying and public affairs.

Clare Gough (MBA 94D) is Director of The Garfield Weston Foundation, which donates around £100m per year to UK charities. Formerly, she worked in the museum sector, on the Senior Leadership Team at the National Gallery, and most recently as Founding Director of Pitzhanger Manor & Gallery, leading the restoration of Sir John Soane’s country home and establishing an acclaimed programme of contemporary art exhibitions. She pioneered taking exhibitions live to cinema, including David Bowie is (V&A) and Leonardo Live. Clare is a Trustee of Art Fund.

Tim Reeve CBE (TGM 11Jun) has been Deputy Director and Chief Operating Officer at the Victoria and Albert Museum since 2013. He takes a strategic and operational overview of all museum activities. Tim has led the development of V&A East Museum and Storehouse in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, East London and chairs the East Bank Board. Before joining the V&A, Tim was Director of Historic Properties at English Heritage.

Moderator: Dr Anna Dempster, BA MA MPhil PhD, Cambridge Fellow, Gallery Owner, Charity Founder is a Fellow at Wolfson College and sits on the Arts Committee, informing the College’s programme of exhibitions, events and acquisitions. She also supports emerging contemporary artists through her charity, ArtSpace5-7. Anna was previously Head of Academic Programmes at the Royal Academy of Arts, London, and was Associate Professor at Sotheby’s Institute of Art, responsible for the Art Business, Finance and Management Unit.

Guests will also have the chance to explore the gallery’s cutting-edge exhibition, Subject to Change, featuring nine internationally recognised artists working critically with AI processes including algorithms, datasets, and machine learning.

CLICK HERE TO BOOK VIA MYINSEAD

Discounted tickets for NAA Members – email [email protected] for promo code.