Reflections on establishing a network to strengthen leadership of learning and teaching in the creative arts

Abstract

Continuous improvements in learning and teaching are now expected as higher education moves to a system of mass education. This requires increased institutional leadership in learning and teaching, and also presents the sector with the challenge of finding ways to enhance learning and teaching leadership, especially at the disciplinary level. Is the formation of a national strategic knowledge network for those in learning and teaching leadership roles in the creative arts disciplines a credible, convincing and achievable means to address this learning and teaching leadership challenge? In this paper, the authors reflect on an attempt to implement such a network for learning and teaching leaders across the creative arts disciplines of creative writing, art, performing arts (music, theatre and dance), architecture and design. We highlight the assumptions underpinning the approach and reflect on whether these have been challenged, or not, in the process of conceptualising, designing and developing the network. Based on our experience of leading this network initiative, we reveal fundamental characteristics that we believe need to persist, in order for a learning and teaching leadership network to take hold and thrive in the creative arts.