A new format for the 2008 – 2009 Link Initiative has been launched by Mary Trainor, Director of Arts & Business and Nick Livingston, Director of Strategic Development, Arts Council of Northern Ireland. The programme is now entering its eighth year and has been specifically designed to meet the development needs of senior managers working within the cultural sector of Northern Ireland.
This year’s programme will provide a one-week international best practice visit to Boston involving bespoke seminars in Boston College, as well visits to a number of North America’s leading arts and cultural organisations. The 10 participants will also enjoy two days of support from a professional mentor, to implement a Sustainability and Development Plan for their organisation.
Supporting the Launch, Nick Livingston, Director of Strategic Development, Arts Council of Northern Ireland said “As the major public funder of Arts and Business, the Arts Council welcomes the new developments in the Link Initiative Programme. This is an excellent example of how, working together, we can promote our arts organisations and improve their long-term creative and financial future. Arts organisations are important cultural assets, forming the basic infrastructure of the arts in Northern Ireland, which is varied, confident and constantly changing. This is a great opportunity for gifted people in the cultural sector to develop their business skills and their organisations, and so help to protect the health, well-being and future of this vibrant and growing sector in the Northern Ireland economy.
Announcing the latest programme Mary Trainor, Director of Arts & Business said “The programme’s central aim is to develop the sustainability of arts organisations participating on the programme. In today’s world arts organisations must operate not only to their cultural ethos but also in a professional business like manner. The Arts & Business Link Initiative 2008–2009 will assist in making organisations more sustainable through innovative business practices and social entrepreneurial skills”
Participants will attend six two-day modules, gaining an Advanced Diploma in Management Practice from the University of Ulster. They will also gain direct sectoral expertise through seminars at Boston College and visits to key cultural organisations in Boston. The programme will be delivered by recognised experts, with a wealth of training experience, both in Northern Ireland and in the US, and collectively, these experiences will encourage the development of new ways of thinking, new approaches and new ways of doing business.
FGS McClure Watters is a business sponsor for the A&B Link Initiative 2008-2009 programme.