Creative Leadership

Disabled and/or D/deaf Plymouth Creatives Survey

Plymouth Culture would like to hear the views from Disabled and/or D/deaf creatives living and/or working in Plymouth, on a possible networking group for/by Disabled and/or D/deaf creatives. 

Our recent Sector Survey showed demand for more accessible and relevant networking and development opportunities from Disabled and/or D/deaf creatives.  This short survey is to explore the interest in this idea, and what format it could take.

» CLICK HERE TO FILL IN THE SHORT SURVEY

The survey also details alternate ways you can share your thoughts.

We will be closing the survey on 13 July 2026, but you are welcome to email your thoughts if you miss that deadline - sophie@plymouthculture.co.uk

We will also be running a couple of small focus group sessions online. If you are interested in this, please add your name and contact details in section two of the survey form. We will be inviting 10-15 people to the online focus groups, and will invite people from a range of different art forms. The session will last one hour and each person will receive £25 for their time.

Workshops

Bold Conversations: Finding Your Voice in Leadership
Tuesday 7 July 2026 10.30am - 12.30pm
Moments Cafe, 69a New George St, Plymouth PL1 1R
FREE booking essential 
» CLICK here to book your place

Being a creative leader often means holding a lot — people, pressure, expectations, emotions, and ideas. And when difficult conversations come up? Many of us avoid them, over-explain, soften our boundaries, or say yes when we really mean no.

But bold conversations are part of good leadership. They help build trust, clarity, healthier working relationships, and stronger creative cultures.

This practical 2-hour workshop is for creative leaders* living and/or working in Plymouth wanting to approach difficult conversations with more confidence, clarity, and calm. Together we’ll explore the patterns that keep us stuck in avoidance or people-pleasing, alongside practical tools to help you communicate more honestly and effectively.

You’ll leave with:

• Tools for preparing for difficult conversations

• Better understanding of conflict, avoidance, and people-pleasing

• Techniques to stay calm and grounded under pressure

• More confidence in communicating boundaries, feedback, and needs

For creative leaders who want to lead with honesty, courage, and self-trust.

The workshop is led by Anna Croucher, Life Coach and Mindfulness Teacher - www.annacroucher.com

Anna will also be leading the ‘Creative Leadership Lab’ see below for more details.

* You are a creative leader if you work with other people to make things happen in arts and culture. You could be salaried, freelance or voluntary. You may lead a small team within an organisation, or lead that organisation; you might lead on a project by project basis as a freelancer; you might organise arts and culture activities as a volunteer.  You’ll be working in the following fields: visual art, music, dance, theatre, performance, museums, galleries, community arts, libraries, writing, film making, craft, design, animation, cultural education, cultural management/development, heritage.

Creative Leadership Lab

Led by Anna Croucher
14, 21 & 28 September and 12 October 2026, 10am - 12noon
Moments Cafe, 69a New George St, Plymouth PL1 1R

Following on from ‘Bold Conversations: Finding Your Voice in Leadership, we are offering a short course ‘Creative Leadership Lab’. Applications are open to all creative leaders living or working in Plymouth (see Criteria section below). You don’t have to attend ‘Bold Conversations’ in order to apply. 

Creative Leadership Lab is for creative leaders (leaders working in arts and culture) wanting space to reflect, grow, and develop practical tools to support their leadership and wellbeing. You may be holding a lot and wanting to lead in a way that feels more grounded, sustainable, and aligned.

Using a group coaching approach, we’ll explore the real challenges that can come with leading creative work in a supportive and collaborative environment. Themes will be shaped by the group, but may include topics such as boundaries, impostor syndrome, burnout, difficult conversations, confidence, self-trust, communication, and leading with authenticity.

The focus is on helping participants develop sustainable tools and approaches that support professional flourishing, alongside connection, accountability, and shared learning with others navigating similar experiences.

Places are limited to 20 participants to allow for meaningful discussion and group connection.

Criteria
You must be a creative leader living and/or working in arts and culture in Plymouth.

You are a creative leader if you work with other people to make things happen in arts and culture. You could be salaried, freelance or voluntary. You may lead a small team within an organisation, or lead that organisation; you might lead on a project by project basis as a freelancer; you might organise arts and culture activities as a volunteer.  You’ll be working in the following fields: visual art, music, dance, theatre, performance, museums, galleries, community arts, libraries, writing, film making, craft, design, animation, cultural education, cultural management/development, heritage.

Dates & Venue
All sessions will take place at Moments Cafe, 69a New George St, Plymouth, PL1 1R.

• Monday 14 September 2026 - 10am to 12 noon

• Monday 21 September 2026 - 10am to 12pm

• Monday 28 September 2026 - 10am to 12pm

• Monday 12 October 2026 - 10am to 12pm

Commitment 
The expectation is that you attend all four sessions. 

Access
We have an access budget available. All successful applicants will be contacted about their access needs. 

Application support
If you would like an informal chat about the application process, please email Sophie Mellor, Creative Leadership Programme Coordinator at sophie@plymouthculture.co.uk

Application process 
The application and selection process is designed to create a committed cohort of participants and to shape the sessions around the shared interests and needs of the group.

There is a light touch application form where we are interested in why you would like to undertake the course, and what you would like to explore during the four sessions. 

You can apply with text or with audio/video. There is an application form for text and another for audio/video applications.

Selection will be made by Anna Croucher (Course Leader), Sabrina Candido (Sector Development Programme Manager, Plymouth Culture) and Sophie Mellor (Creative Leadership Programme Coordinator, Plymouth Culture). 

Application form

» Click here to fill in the online TEXT application form

Application form - audio/video
We also accept audio or video applications. There are three questions on the application form. You can record up to 3 minutes per question. If you are filming your application, a head and shoulders shot is fine - don’t worry about the quality of the video shoot - we are just interested in your words!

» Click here to apply using AUDIO/VIDEO

If you have any questions about the application form, or would like an informal chat about the course, please contact Sophie Mellor - sophie@plymouthculture.co.uk

Deadline for applications
Friday 24 July 2026 5pm

Events

The next event will be a Creative Leadership Networking Meet up - more info coming soon!