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. The books central finding is that many orchestras lack internal alignment around their public purpose, limiting their capacity to lead with authenticity.

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 tensionsbetween artistic tradition and civic expectationare explored through rich case material and critical analysis. The book proposes a new organisational model of cultural leadership centred on purpose alignment, authent