OXFORD.- As it marks its 10th anniversary, Oxford Cultural Leaders announced the appointment of Dr Xa Sturgis CBE as its new Academic Director. Currently Director of the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford, Dr Xa Sturgis brings to the role a wealth of experience and expertise within the cultural sector.
Dr Sturgis steps up to the role after Professor Paul Smith, co-founder and Academic Director of Oxford Cultural Leaders, announced his retirement. As a founding member of the OCL programme, Professor Paul Smith had been instrumental in its success, passionate about building leadership capacity within the cultural sector and bringing together expertise from arts and business. Dr Sturgis is a long-standing member of the OCL faculty with a deep understanding of the programme’s vision and will continue to build on the solid foundation laid by Professor Smith.
Designed and delivered by Oxford University’s Gardens, Libraries & Museums in partnership with the Saïd Business School, Oxford Cultural Leaders (OCL) is a unique internationally acclaimed programme aimed at senior management professionals within the cultural sector who want to redefine their identity as leaders.
As the cultural sector continues to face relentless challenges, leaders must be responsive in navigating these uncertain times. OCL offers a transformative experience that disrupts how participants think, encouraging cohort members to reimagine their institutional vision, identifying opportunities to demonstrate resilience and develop entrepreneurial and creative strategies that safeguard their establishment for the future.
The programme is delivered through a combination of immersive workshops, lectures, panel discussions, provocations, reflection sessions and keynote speeches delivered by cultural sector leaders, business school experts and industry authorities.
‘Even though a former colleague who had taken the programme before me described it as life-changing, it exceeded all my expectations. This was not just a course about leadership but a life reboot. The cohort, the faculty, the surroundings & the programme were all unforgettable and inspirational.’ --Robert Wenley, Head of Collections & Deputy Director, Barber Institute of Fine Arts (OCL 2024 Residential)
‘This is a well curated program and the best arts leadership course I have done. Each day builds upon the next so by the end of the week everything you have learned aligns and makes perfect sense. Being a residential course, it meant I could relax and forget about everything except learning. It was such a privilege to take part in this program and I know I have made new friends for life.’ ---Elizabeth Marsden, Manager, Cultural Collections, RMIT University (OCL 2024 Residential)
‘The OCL programme was designed to impart a holistic understanding of cultural leadership. The speakers who guided us were experts in their own fields and took us from unravelling the workings of the decision-making brain to cultivating an entrepreneurial mindset. This journey has equipped me with invaluable tools to navigate decision-making, negotiate adeptly, and forge a visionary path for my projects and career aspirations.’ ---Kamini Ramachandran, Director, Moonshadow Stories (OCL 2024 Online)
‘Having done other online courses, I was very impressed with the balance of keynotes, workshops and breakout groups within OCL - I was utterly engaged at every stage and it catered to the diversity of learning styles and communication preferences in the group.’ ---Katie Russell, National Director/CEO, Australian Museums and Galleries Association (OCL 2024 Online)
