For the first time, the Forum Razumovsky brought together leading figures in cultural management. In our workshop, “The Art of Decision-Making – Rethinking Leadership in Culture,” participants discussed how change can be implemented in large cultural institutions.

Decisions in cultural institutions are often not very transparent and can sometimes be used as tools of power. Together, we explored new, more human approaches to leadership. How do we engage all employees? How can decisions be made more transparent? And how must leadership positions be filled with competent individuals in the future? The overall question is obvious: How can we rethink management in the cultural sector so that leadership teams are not shaped by internal conflict but remain focused on the work itself — the connection to staff, artists, and audiences? Only in this way can art remain relevant.

Magdalena Schnitzler from the German National Theatre and State Orchestra Weimar presented her institution as a best practice example and demonstrated how modern cultural management can already be implemented. Thanks to alma, the Alliance of Leaders in Arts and Music, for their organizational support and cooperation.

Next Steps: The Razumovsky Forum will attempt to identify clear systemic pain points. We will explore how we can further refine the topic together with the participants and new stakeholders and how we can take our dialogue to the next level.