The Stage

Top 50 Women to Watch in the arts

Published Wednesday 10 March 2010 at 11:50 by Natalie Woolman

Fifty female arts leaders have been designated “Women to Watch” in the cultural and creative industries, as part of an initiative that aims to address the gender imbalance in senior cultural roles.

Designed to inspire and encourage future generations of women to aim for the top of arts organisations, the inaugural Women to Watch list is the brainchild of the Cultural Leadership Programme.

The CLP published a report in February last year which claimed significant steps need to be taken by the sector to increase the number of women in leadership positions. The list is intended as a first step to address that problem.

Playwright Kwame Kwei-Armah, who sat on the judging panel, said he believes initiatives such as the Women to Watch list are important because “they focus our judgement”.

He said: “I think we like to believe that we live in a world of meritocracy where, without a little push, without a little spotlight here and there, all the best will rise to the top and everything will find itself fair and equal. Actually, statistics tell us that they do not.”

Daisy Heath, a “woman to watch” and head of planning at the National Theatre, agreed that the scheme was useful “to highlight the current deficit in equality at senior levels” and that it should be “an inspiration to make improvements across the board”.

Bristol Old Vic executive director Emma Stenning said that being included felt both “empowering” and “humbling” when she saw the other names in the line-up.

The final list also features leaders from the Royal Shakespeare Company, the National Theatre and Arts Council England, as well as hip hop champion Indy Hunjan and Maria Oshodi, the artistic director of the UK’s only professional performing arts company of visually impaired people.

The women were selected for inclusion by a judging panel that included Kwei-Armah, Radio 4’s Jenni Murray, choreographer Wayne McGregor and ACE chair Liz Forgan, following nominations by senior figures from across the arts and culture sectors. The CLP said it was looking for “women who have already made a noticeable impact within the sector and have the potential to rise to the top” when it opened nominations last year.

The CLP event to celebrate the inaugural Women to Watch 2010 will be held this week in recognition of International Women’s Day.

The Stage’s highlights from the 50 Women to Watch 2010, with comments from judge Kwame Kwei-Armah

Daisy Heath Head of planning, National Theatre

“You speak to anybody there and everybody just says Daisy is the girl, Daisy does it, Daisy does her gig. She’s a star.”

Emma Stenning Executive director, Bristol Old Vic

“She already has the spotlight on her and this is simply about saying ‘Wow, job well done’.”

Geraldine Collinge Director of events and exhibitions, Royal Shakespeare Company

“I am really excited about the work that she’s doing, or starting to do, at the RSC. I think it’s a great appointment and a great new role.”

Jacqui O’Hanlon Director of education, Royal Shakespeare Company

“What she showed was amazing flair at doing what she has done and what she is about to at the Royal Shakespeare Company.”

Kate McGrath Director, theatre production company Fuel

“Let’s be real here, how many people do as many things as Kate? … She’s a thinker, a theatre-maker, a director - she’s just so exciting.”

Maria Oshodi Artistic director, Extant, the UK’s only professional performing arts company of visually impaired people

“Not only is she someone to watch, she is someone who should be applauded.”

Moira Buffini Writer-in-residence, National Theatre

“To be the second living female to have a play done on the main stage at the National, I mean it is amazing… As a fellow writer, I doff my cap to her.”

Purni Morell Head of studio, National Theatre

“She’s a powerhouse to everybody who knows her.”

Sharon Watson Artistic director, repertory dance company Phoenix Dance Theatre

“She is someone who has just dedicated her life to the notion of African Caribbean dance, an art form that we don’t speak about very much. She is a stalwart and a star.”

Theresa Heskins Artistic director, Staffordshire venue the New Vic Theatre

“She is seen as one of the leading lights and is of that generation of artistic directors who are just being bold and brave.”