Harmonising Cultural Leadership in Professional Orchestras

This book interrogates the widespread yet ill-defined use of "cultural leadership" in strategic plans, policies, and industry discourse. Despite its ubiquity, the term lacks clarity and cohesion in both theory and practice. Based on fieldwork with 20 artistic and executive leaders, Harmonising Cultural Leadership in Professional Orchestras uncovers a deeper uncertainty within orchestras about their role in society. These tensions-between artistic tradition and civic expectation-are explored through rich case material and critical analysis. The book proposes a new organisational model of cultural leadership centred on purpose alignment, authentic social participation, and stakeholder value creation. Its insights will resonate across the performing arts and cultural sectors. The book's central finding is that many orchestras lack internal alignment around their public purpose, limiting their capacity to lead with authenticity. In response, it offers a new conceptual and practical model for organisational cultural leadership-distinct in its focus on institutions rather than individuals-that contributes original research to arts leadership discourse. This is the first in-depth study of cultural leadership in Australian orchestras, grounded in qualitative research and offering a new model that shifts focus from individuals to institutional practice. It provides critical insight for arts managers, policymakers, and scholars interested in leadership, cultural value, and the evolving role of major performing arts organisations.

Samuel Cairnduff is a lecturer, researcher, and consultant in arts and cultural management, specialising in leadership in the performing arts. He teaches at the University of Melbourne, hosts the Decoding Cultural Leadership podcast, presents on ABC Classic, and leads RESONATE, a consultancy in leadership, strategy, and communications.

Acknowledgements Author Note Prologue: Prelude to Purpose Section I Foundations and Frictions 1 The Australian Orchestra Story-A History of Transformation 2 From Institution to Influence-Reframing Cultural Leadership 3 Foundations-The Leadership Question Section II Voices from the Field 4 Entering the Field-The Orchestras and Their Worlds 5 Defining Cultural Leadership-From the Inside Out 6 The Performance-Cultural Leadership in Action 7 The Social Question-Orchestras on Contested Ground 8 Barriers and Bridges-What Gets in the Way, and What Helps Section III Towards Organisational Cultural Leadership 9 The New Model-Organisational Cultural Leadership (OCL) CODA: Future Directions Index