Performing arts have been hit hard by the pandemic: with heavy fixed costs and business models that depend on near-full houses, the financial consequences of continued closure have been severe. The crisis has created major challenges for Boards of performing arts organisations, mirroring those faced by other severely impacted sectors. Fidelio builds Boards and leadership teams aligned to value. The scale of the current crisis is clearly putting exceptional financial pressures on significant parts of the economy, including the performing arts. Fidelio has been keen to understand the leadership role that those at the helm have been playing to ensure that our leading theatres do not remain dark. How can we learn from the leadership frameworks of others? We were pleased to recently host a webinar, ‘Governance, the Arts and Reimagining the Future’, featuring Nica Burns, theatre producer and co-owner of six major London theatres, and Harry Brünjes, entrepreneur and Chair of the English National Opera, in conversation. The Fidelio webinar explored the business response to dark theatres, as well as the role of the Board in re-imagining the future for arts businesses and organisations. This was also a theme that we revisited with Margaret Casely-Hayford, Chair of Shakespeare’s Globe, as part of Fidelio’s recent “A Seat at the Table” Board learning programme.
This Overture explores the current state of the performing arts sector, lessons from the pandemic, the role of the Board and the way forward. Please click here to continue reading.
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