Live Theatre Chief Executive joins the National Arts Strategies new cohort of 50 outstanding cultural leaders

Live Theatre is delighted to announce that its chief executive Jim Beirne has been awarded a place on the National Arts Strategies (NAS) latest class of exceptional leaders in The Chief Executive Program: Community and Culture. These 50 executives will work with NAS and each other over the next year to address their biggest challenges and lead change throughout the arts and culture sector. With applications received from leaders in 32 states and 13 different countries NAS were astounded by the level and diversity of community work these leaders are undertaking. This is the third year of The Chief Executive Program.  It has evolved from the experience of the past two classes and discussions with arts and culture leaders around the world. National Arts Strategies is continuing the program with a focus on leaders of organizations where community is at the heart of the mission. NAS CEO Designate Gail Crider said “Healthy organizations share deep connections with their communities. We’ve seen that leaders who build and maintain a strong sense of local relevance are creating organizations for both the present and the future. We at NAS progress field-wide change by providing the training and support to these leaders. Having experienced this program and bonded as a community, these 50 leaders will have the ideas, tools and connections to effect change in their own organizations and to accelerate their work collectively to strengthen communities and the cultural sector”. Jim Beirne chief executive of Live Theatre added: “To be asked to take part in such a prestigious international program is a real privilege. I am very much looking forward to meeting my colleagues from around the world at Vanderbilt University in Nashville next week and in turn bringing that experience back to the North East “ The Chief Executive Program is built around two learning cycles that help leaders explore, reflect, apply and share concepts that address the two biggest challenges for cultural institutions – making strategic choices that are on-mission and leading change. Beginning in September 2014 and continuing through 2015, the program includes three in-person educational events at Vanderbilt University, at University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business and at Sundance Utah, as well as a variety of “at-work” activities designed to help leaders move forward on their own unique objectives and goals. These events and activities are designed to give participants a deeper understanding of the strategic challenges they face, a firm grasp of change leadership and the ability to translate their visions for the future into reality. Participants in The Chief Executive Program: Community and Culture were selected following a highly competitive recruitment process to identify the top executive cultural leaders from around the world whose organizations work closely with communities on creative placemaking initiatives. The leaders chosen to participate in The Chief Executive Program: Community and Culture were selected from a wide range of cultural forms, locations, perspectives and experience levels. These executives have proven themselves to be effective, innovative, collaborative and open-minded.