Listening and Communicating: Leadership Skills of Artists

Let's Create: Do We Know How To?

In this episode Naomi talks to freelance artist Dan Thompson about the skill of listening and communicating when leading co-creative practice.

Dan talks about the importance of listening first before making any artistic decisions, as he notes that a lot of participatory arts practice revolves around the artist's idea and getting people involved in bringing that idea to life. Deep listening when leading co-creative practice involves having no expectation of what you are going to do, not having your ideas formed already.

The discussion explores how social class impacts people's involvement in the arts; Dan has a working class background and has no expectation that he should be an artist or working in the arts. He really wants to satisfy the people that he is working with. He often checks back in with people a few days after the conversation. For the first meeting he doesn't even take notes or make a recording, so that it feels like a genuine conversation. He is open and curious when listening to people.

Dan starts with doing deep research about a place or subject that he is exploring, before he starts work. He then listens with the context of what he has learnt and it helps to inform the questions that he asks. Dan talks about examples of his own co-creative work in places like Swansea and Stoke on Trent. There is also a discussion about the Settlement Movement and the way in which it takes time for an artist to really listen and really understand a community; the importance of building long term relationships if that is possible.

He argues that listening has to be at the heart of co-created art and that it has to be continuous, not a one off consultation. A constant process of listening and shifting what you are doing as a result of what you hear.

Naomi Alexander is the CEO and Artistic Director of Brighton People's Theatre. Her AHRC funded research identified 20 qualities, skills and responsibilities that are important for artists leading co-creative practice. The report and illustrations are available here.
X: https://twitter.com/naomi_ontheatre

IG: https://www.instagram.com/naomi.ontheatre/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/naomiontheatre/

Dan Thompson is a Freelance Artist. You can find out more about his work here.
X: https://twitter.com/artistsmakers

IG: https://www.instagram.com/danthompson33/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-thompson-397501/