Episode 7. Claire Spencer and Ali Mirza: Cultural Transformation at the Barbican

Claire Spencer AM left her role at Arts Centre Melbourne in 2022 to become the first-ever CEO of the world-renowned Barbican Centre. Claire joined us from London along with Ali Mirza, the Barbican’s Chief People Officer, who found his natural home in the arts after experience in senior roles in other industries. The Barbican is going through a massive cultural transformation, addressing some embedded issues, and Claire and Ali generously shared their bold agenda and strategies for change. The Barbican is an institution like no other - firmly planted in London’s Square Mile and a monument to Britain’s postwar culture- but how does it engage new audiences and respond to its environment's diverse and unique makeup? Claire and Ali share their innovative approach to creating an organisation that is vibrant, inviting and vital to its community.Claire also reflects on her time at Arts Centre Melbourne,  and the ongoing impact of the Arts Wellbeing Collective, a ground-breaking initiative for artists that she championed. Trigger warning: the topic of suicide is raised in this episode.Links:The Barbican Centrehttps://www.barbican.org.uk/Arts Centre Melbournehttps://www.artscentremelbourne.com.au/The Arts Wellbeing Collectivehttps://artswellbeingcollective.com.auConnect 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