Cultural Leadership International is generously supported in Georgia by the Open Society Foundations

Creative and cultural sector has a unique and vital socio-economic role in our rapidly-changing times. It is crucial that future leaders develop ideas, skills and networks to drive the sector forward and ensure its relevance to the changing societies around it. International dialogue and knowledge exchange will give them vital access to international opportunities and networks where they can share solutions, learn from successful models, and develop partnerships and common platforms to tackle similar challenges.

Cultural Leadership International (CLI) is a programme of activities which facilitate networking and exchange in the cultural and creative industries. The programme focuses on supporting a new generation of cultural leaders to:

• Understand the political, social, and economic power of culture.
• Act internationally in their work
• Better understand the challenges affecting the cultural sector globally
• Encourage flexibility of thought and action to adapt to these new challenges
• Strengthen the influence and position of the cultural sector
• Develop and active, international network of future cultural leaders

Cultural Leadership International (CLI) 2011

The programme for 2011 will involve the following components:

Leadership Development Workshop

Once selected, all participants will be invited to take part in a 4-day Leadership Development Workshop in Istanbul from 23-27 October 2011 (during the Istanbul Biennale). This is the starting point of the programme, and involves training sessions on leadership skills and networking opportunities with the other participants.

Professional Development Plan

Selected participants will be asked to design their Professional Development Plan, identifying their professional needs and goals and coming up with a plan to achieve these based on opportunities in the UK and around the world. These opportunities will take the form of courses, placements, mentorship schemes, etc. The Plan needs to be approved before 31 December 2011 and implemented between then and the end of December 2012.

Participants will receive a grant of £3,000 to implement their plan as well as support from the British Council in identifying suitable opportunities in the UK.

Eligibility Requirements for CLI participants

• At least the three-year experience of working in the creative sector
• Demonstrated a level of achievement and commitment to the creative sector
• Demonstrated commitment to self-development and learning from others
• Demonstrated potential to be a future leader of the of the sector in Georgia
• Upper-Intermediate level of English language skills

How to apply

Note: We recommend that you read the Guidance Notes for Applicants attentively before you start filling out the application form.

Submit the completed application form to Maya Darchia (British Council)  by 16.00 on 9 September 2011. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to an interview taking place on 28-29 September 2011. The selected participants will be announced on 4 October 2011.