Developing the Next Generation of Executive Directors
Transform National is a two-year leadership and organisational development programme that is investing in the future of leadership in the visual arts.
Transform National is a partnership between New Art Exchange, CVAN (Contemporary Visual Arts Network, England), and DASH, investing in the next generation of Executive Directors through paid leadership placements, mentoring, and professional development.
The programme also works with a cohort of visual arts organisations to strengthen inclusive leadership, workplace culture and organisational practice, creating the conditions in which new leaders can thrive.
By investing in both people and organisations, Transform National is helping to build a stronger, more representative and more resilient visual arts sector.
Why Transform National?
The visual arts sector relies on ambitious, skilled and diverse leaders. Yet too many talented people continue to face structural barriers that prevent them from progressing into senior leadership.
CVAN England’s Fostering Equity in the Visual Arts Sector research found that:
- 69% of respondents had experienced bias in their day-to-day working environment.
- More than half had experienced bias in recruitment, career progression or access to professional development.
- 72% identified cost as the biggest barrier to accessing training and professional development.
- One in three respondents had seriously considered leaving the sector because of insecure income, low pay and feeling undervalued.
The research also highlighted the need for paid leadership opportunities, mentoring, organisational change and more inclusive workplace cultures.
Transform National has been designed to respond directly to these challenges by creating supported pathways into executive leadership while helping organisations embed equitable and inclusive practice.
How the Programme Works
Running from April 2026 to April 2028, Transform National combines paid leadership experience, organisational development and national sector learning.
For Future Executive Directors
- Paid Executive Director Placements within senior leadership teams.
- Professional Mentoring from experienced cultural leaders.
- Peer Learning through a national cohort, networking and leadership development.
- Professional Development tailored to support long-term career progression.
For Partner Organisations
- Organisational Development workshops to strengthen inclusive leadership, governance and workplace culture.
- Leadership Support for Boards, Chief Executives and senior teams.
- Sector Learning through independent evaluation, shared resources and a national conference.
Together, these strands ensure that organisations are ready to support and retain the next generation of leaders, creating lasting change across the visual arts sector.
Partners
Transform National brings together three organisations with complementary expertise and a shared commitment to equity and leadership development.
Transforms National advances sector development work undertaken by New Art Exchange, DASH and CVAN. NAE’s Transform, CVAN’s wider Fair + Equitable, and DASH’s Future Curators programme help to connect leadership development, organisational change, policy influence, and national advocacy.
The programme has been supported by funding from Arts Council England’s Major Project strand and the Art Fund’s Reimagine.
New Art Exchange
Programme Lead, providing expertise in leadership development, organisational innovation and equitable cultural practice.
Contemporary Visual Arts Network England
Providing national policy leadership, research, advocacy and sector-wide networks to ensure learning influences the wider visual arts ecosystem.
DASH
Leading on disability-led practice, accessibility and inclusive leadership, supporting organisations to embed equitable approaches across their work.
Get Involved
Over the next two years, Transform National will share opportunities, learning and resources with the wider visual arts sector.
Whether you are an emerging leader, a cultural organisation or a sector partner, we invite you to follow the programme as we work together to create a more equitable, representative and sustainable future for visual arts leadership.
