Episode 29: Claire Edwardes OAM - Percussion virtuoso and artistic director of Ensemble Offspring on leading a thriving arts organisation

In this episode, Sam speaks with Claire Edwardes OAM, percussionist and artistic director of Ensemble Offspring, about:Claire's journey with Ensemble Offspring from its student beginnings to becoming a leading new music organisationThe challenges and rewards of running a small arts organisation, including managing staff and juggling multiple projectsEnsemble Offspring's focus on championing new music, female composers, and First Nations artistsThe difficulties of marketing and touring new music compared to traditional classical repertoireClaire's role in advocating for gender equity in classical music programming through initiatives like KeychangeHer thoughts on the potential for innovation in orchestras post-COVID and why change has been limitedThe importance of long-term, meaningful collaborations with First Nations artists rather than tokenistic programmingBalancing artistic goals with the practical realities of funding and audience developmentClaire's approach to cultural leadership and using music as a vehicle for social changeKey quotes:"I love my role as an artistic director...because it gives me that flexibility and freedom in my life.""If you don't have that consciousness [about diversity], then nothing will ever change.""It's not flash in the pan programming...It's like you get to know [artists] over a period of years. You work with them...and you commit to that, like, for a lifetime.""We can keep pushing the envelope a bit without being kind of, you know, yucky about it, but just doing things that make people think about why and what and also just have fun."LinksEnsemble Offspring Claire Edwardes Keychange  Connect with Decoding Cultural Leadership on social mediaInstagram, Threads, X/Twitter:@[email protected]@samuelcairnduffRead Sam's Substack here.Presenter and research: Sam CairnduffCreative Director: Niloofar PashmforooshPresented in association with LimelightDecoding Cultural Leadership | Culture. Society. Conversations