Artistic Directors of the Future launches online learning resource

A new online resource has been launched to support artists from diverse backgrounds to develop leadership skills.

Artistic Directors of the Future is behind the new e-learning platform ADF Bite-Size, which will launch with a series of videos.

The first video will focus on starting a theatre company, while other topics include demystifying leadership roles, understanding the fundamentals of marketing and PR and building and refining leadership skills.

ADF Bite-Size is free to members of Artistic Directors of the Future. It plans to launch a full series of online masterclasses to accompany the videos in 2021. Alongside the videos, ADF Bite-Size also includes worksheets and information packs.

Simeilia Hodge-Dallaway, founder and artistic director of Artistic Directors of the Future, said: “The number of theatre companies led by Black, Asian, and People of Colour is at an all-time low. This directly impacts the lack of opportunities faced by Black, Asian, and People of Colour artists and leaders.

“We created ADF Bite-Size to provide resources for members of the organisation and inspire and support them in founding their own companies.”

Hodge-Dallaway added: “The industry is building itself back up following the devastating effects of the pandemic, and at the same time, the arts sector is confronting issues around inequality.

“As such, there is no better time than now for talented artists to make their vision of becoming the founder of a theatre company a reality. We need visionaries, innovators, and purposeful-leaders to take action, take the space, and lead with integrity.”