Aarohan, a groundbreaking leadership and management programme run by Sampad from 2009 to 2010, cultivated and connected a remarkable group of individuals. These participants, many now national and international leaders, included Skinder Hundal MBE (Director of Arts at the British Council), Keran Kaur MBE (CEO at SAA-UK), Sandeep Virdee OBE (Artistic Director at Darbar Festival), and Sanjeevini Dutta MBE (Editor of PULSE). Aarohan’s unique blend of structured retreats, mentoring, and entrepreneurial challenges equipped participants with core leadership skills tailored to the cultural sector.
Key Aims and Objectives
- Foster a robust network for supporting and nurturing cultural leaders.
- Create opportunities for meaningful networking and collaborations within the UK and internationally.
- Facilitate work-based placements with guidance from senior cultural leaders.
- Establish a legacy framework promoting cultural diversity in leadership.
- Develop core leadership skills through experiential learning with arts organisations and specialised workshops.
- Contribute to broader Cultural Leadership Programme goals, establishing research-based learning for cultural leaders.
- Prepare 12 focused individuals as future leaders, ready to impact the arts sector.
- Elevate South Asian representation in senior cultural leadership positions.
- Retain and inspire talented professionals to realise their visions within a supportive, interconnected network.
Programme Methodology
The programme began with a national recruitment effort that selected 12 promising individuals, each with substantial cultural sector experience and a strong vision for their leadership journey. The selection involved a rigorous process, including application reviews and interviews by expert panelists.
Development Approach:
- Development Needs Analysis (DNA): Each participant underwent a DNA to assess strengths, weaknesses, and aspirations. This guided the creation of personalised development plans.
- Visioning Retreats: Three structured retreats focused on:
- Visioning Retreat 1: Ideologies of leadership, the cultural sector’s context and setting entrepreneurial challenges.
- Visioning Retreat 2: Skill acquisition in governance, media relations, financial planning and technology.
- Visioning Retreat 3: Exploring South Asian arts and heritage, policy context and intercultural dynamics.
- Entrepreneurial Challenge (EC): Integrated into the programme to let participants lead initiatives, from event management to international research projects, with mentorship from the Sampad team.
- Mentoring and One-on-One Sessions: Participants received individualised guidance at strategic points in the program to refine goals and track progress.
Programme Highlights:
- Participants engaged in dynamic sessions with renowned cultural commentators and industry experts, such as Yasmin Alibhai Brown and Hardeep Singh Kohli.
- The retreats featured interactive elements like Dragons’ Den-style entrepreneurial challenges, strategic planning exercises, and high-level communication workshops.
Outcomes and Impact
- Participants developed expertise in strategic planning, negotiation, media handling, and governance.
- The programme helped position these leaders as credible and knowledgeable voices in the arts and cultural sector.
- Aarohan alumni have continued to collaborate and support each other, strengthening the sector’s future.
- The Aarohan model successfully addressed the underrepresentation of South Asian professionals in senior arts leadership roles, establishing a new wave of leaders with diverse perspectives.
Legacy and Continued Impact
The Aarohan programme set a precedent for culturally aware leadership models in the UK arts sector. Its legacy is evident in the strengthened confidence and advanced skill sets of its alumni, who now contribute significantly to the arts and culture landscape. Aarohan’s emphasis on creating high-calibre leaders continues to inspire and influence the cultural community.
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