As CLP Project Manager, Diane is responsible for intensive learning, diversity, communications and the Meeting the Challenge development programme. She has worked for Bernie Grant Arts Centre and Contact Theatre as Head of Creative Development and Head of Projects respectively and was employed by Arts Council England, West Midlands to devise and lead on the decibel regional programme. Her formal education includes; media and communication (BA Hons) and visual communication (MA). She was co-founder of Spirit Arts and has worked as a freelance video artist, creative collaborator, educator, theatre producer, club promoter, festival director and programmer.
People Person
I recently discovered my Myers Briggs type. As a relative latecomer to the world of ESFP’s, ISTJ’s and ENTP’s, I’d been pretty sceptical of these kind of tests and the generalisations made in personality profiling. However, I actually found it quite enlightening to find out that I’m an ENFJ. To the uninitiated ENFJs are apparently the ‘benevolent pedagogues of humanity who draw people into their nurturant tutelage and grand ideas’. I can live with that.
Of course after fifteen years of working in the arts I’m very aware that I am driven by developing the potential in creative people, but as I reflect on my involvement with CLP what stands out is how my own career has been guided and even rescued by the people who have believed in and nurtured me.
As an emerging leader it was the likes of John McGrath & Fiona Gasper, who believed that I could lead Contact Theatre’s projects department at the tender age of 27. John is an incredible visionary, entrepreneurial and accessible leader. He gave me the confidence in my management skills and the freedom to experiment.
Coming up to date, it is the women I’ve encountered at CLP that have helped me to see the value of investing in myself and the connection between my professional goals and how I can contribute to the sector.
New Directions
In 2008, after two years of pouring passion (blood, sweat and tears) into a new venue, my post was made redundant. This was a very difficult time and I initially questioned if I wanted to continue to work in the arts.
CLP had always been on the periphery of my vision, but I had never fully engaged in the possibilities of acknowledging, let alone developing, myself as a leader. At this very scary juncture, CLP helped me to gain the time-out that I needed to reflect on my career direction before jumping into another role (or sector!).
I can fully testify to the impact of CLP’s leadership development programmes. When I joined the team eleven months ago it was a week after completing a CLP Peach Placement as a Business Development Associate at Dance United. This six-month work-based leadership opportunity suited my preference for a practical hands-on approach to professional development. The experience enhanced my entrepreneurial skills, not to mention a greater self-awareness and confidence of my leadership potential.
Guardian Angels
My first CLP ‘guardian angel’ was my now colleague, Assistant Director, Nicola Turner, who persisted in getting me to an interview after I had cold feet about the role. Don’t get me wrong, I’m like a bird of prey when it comes to a career-opportunity that is a natural ‘fit ‘ for my skills and knowledge, but this was something out of my comfort-zone.
The placement wasn’t without its challenges, particularly due to the nature of working in a small and ambitious organisation having to survive the sudden impact of the economic downturn; where purse-strings were being tightened by previously generous benefactors. Nicola not only kept me focussed on putting my leadership development first, she also introduced me to Venu Dhupa (Guardian Angel No. 2), who became my mentor. I was initially nervous during our meetings because of the focus being all about me and the fact that I didn’t have set career- goals or a five-year plan. But she has inspired me through her own journey and advice and this was a greatly valued experience.
CLP
I am now fortunate to have been working with a genuinely supportive team of intelligent women for almost a year, where I am lucky enough to have another mentor (Guardian Angel No. 3) in CLP’s Director, Hilary Carty. To have a role model as a boss is something I could have never planned.
My career has changed its’ focus but as an ENFJ - I know that I’m exactly where I need to be.
