Transforming Leadership
Programme Summary
Transforming Leadership is a programme for emerging learning disabled and autistic cultural leaders, the first of its kind and one that we hope will be the first of many similar programmes.
The programme sees learning disabled and autistic leaders employed in positions across all aspects of theatre making including as theatre directors, workshop facilitators, digital content creators, and trustees.
There have historically been very few bespoke leadership development programmes for learning disabled and autistic creatives and little shared understanding of how to create accessible environments where leaders can thrive. So we’re changing that! We want to see an arts sector that expects and encourages learning disabled and autistic people to take up leadership roles.
Programme Aims
Through the Transforming Leadership programme we are:
- Radically transforming the leadership potential of learning disabled and autistic arts leaders
- Developing sector-wide infrastructure that supports learning disabled and autistic leadership
- Upskilling existing executive leadership across the arts, improving organisational accessibility
After a first successful round with our Transforming leadership London, which is ongoing, we’ve gone national to take this change across the country.
Learn more about the different stages of our programme below.
Meet the Trainees
Cian Binchy
Digital Content Creator
Cian is a content creator, artist, performer, actor, and poet. After taking part in Access All Areas’ Transforming Leadership programme in 2021-2022, Cian started working with Access All Areas as a Content Creator writing and filming content for social media. He is the main mind behind Access All Areas’ series ‘Access Not Denied’ and the monthly ‘5 Shows by Disabled Artists’ run-down.
Cian is also an Associate Artist of Access All Areas. To learn more on is artistic career, read Cian’s Artist Profile
Paul Christian
Deputy Chair
After taking part in Access All Areas’ Transforming Leadership programme in 2021-2022, Paul is now deputy chairperson of Access All Areas and brings his experience as a learning disabled artist to the board.
He has sat on governance panels and is passionate about sharing his knowledge of how to make boards more accessible and inclusive.
As a consultant and facilitator Paul has worked with a wide array of organisations including Netflix, the BBC, Magpie Dance, New Direction, Royal London School of Nursing, the Houses of Parliament, the Freelance Task Force.
For the past ten years, Paul has worked closely with academic Sue Ledger to research learning disabled histories (and underrepresentation) particularly in its intersection with race. Most recently Paul worked on untold stories of black learning disabled people living in institutions. He creates easy read documents about important historical events such as the New Cross Fire. Along with Sue, he speaks about his research on Symposiums internationally.
Paul is also an Associate Artist of Access All Areas. To learn more on his artistic career, read Paul’s Artist Profile
Katy Cracknell
Katy took part in Access All Areas’ Transforming Leadership programme in 2021-2022 where she co-directed on the diploma. Since then she’s been working with children and young people.
Deen Hallissey
After taking part in Access All Areas’ Transforming Leadership programme in 2021-2022, Deen went on to create content for Disability Arts Online’s digital channels. His content focuses on exploring new leads and conduct interviews, giving artists a platform to share things. Deen also worked as a performer in MADHOUSE re:exit.
You can follow Deen work on Disability Arts Online website
Terry Huggett
After taking part in Access All Areas’ Transforming Leadership programme in 2021-2022, Terry went on to develop digital content and run workshops for Access All Areas and partner companies, including Battersea Arts Centre and Sadler’s Wells.
Terry is also an Associate Artist of Access All Areas. To learn more on his artistic career, read Terry’s Artist Profile
Adam Smith
Associate Director of Take Part
After completing Access All Areas’ Transforming Leadership programme in 2021-2022, Adam joined Access All Areas as an Associate Director of Take Part.
He co-leads on the Departure Lounge and Spring Back programme. He has transformed the way we evaluate those programmes in a more accessible way. He also led on creating our Spring Back spin-off at Battersea Art Centre.
He co-leads on our consultancy work around accessible facilitation.
Adam is also an Associate Artist of Access All Areas. To learn more on his artistic career, read Adam’s Artist Profile.
Charlene Salter
Co-Chair
After taking part in Access All Areas’ Transforming Leadership programme in 2021-2022, Charlene is now co-chairperson of Access All Areas and brings her experience as a learning disabled artist to the board. She also sits on the advisory board of Battersea Arts Centre. She has since spoken on multiple governance panels championing accessible board practice.
In 2020 she was appointed to join the #FreelanceTaskForce where she joined other freelancers sponsored by arts organisations; together they worked to strengthen the influence of freelancers in deciding the future of theatre.
Charlene is also an Associate Artist of Access All Areas. To learn more on his artistic career, read Charlene’s Artist Profile
Emma Selwyn
Associate Director
After taking part in Access All Areas’ Transforming Leadership programme in 2021-2022, Emma made their directorial debut in The Interrogation, an app-based immersive show which went on to tour nationally.
They are currently working with Access All Areas as an Associate Director and run regular masterclasses. They co-directed NHS England’s Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training films, and teach on the Performance Making Diploma.
Emma also works as a consultant for Access All Areas where they co-lead awareness training for industry professionals working within TV, Film and Theatre where they bring their lived experience of autism.
Emma is also an Associate Artist of Access All Areas. To learn more on their artistic career, read Emma’s Artist Profile.
Lee Philipps
After taking part in Access All Areas’ Transforming Leadership programme in 2021-2022, Lee went on to work as a consultant for Access All Areas where he co-leads awareness training for industry professionals working within TV, film and theatre where he brings his lived experience of learning disability and autism.
Lee also regularly facilitates session on our Spring back and Departure Lounge Take Part programmes
Lee is also an Associate Artist of Access All Areas. To learn more on Lee’s artistic career, read his Artist Profile
Ammay Tye
Transforming Leadership Trainee Trustee
Ammay is currently doing Access All Areas Transforming Leadership programme, learning about leadership in governance and sitting on the Access All Areas’ board of trustees.
Having been involved with disability arts for eight years now, Ammay has a background in fundraising and communications, and uses her artistic skills and lived experience of being neurodivergent to encourage debate around disability.
She’s has delivered talks, presented showcases and provided training on disabled peoples’ experiences with organisations such as The Wellcome Trust, Arts Council England and National Portrait Gallery (https://ammay.co.uk/)
Through her work as an Access All Areas trustee, and involvement with the Transforming Leadership programme, she advocates against discrimination and highlights triumphs and strengths within the neurodivergent and disabled community.
John Fuller
Transforming Leadership Trainee Trustee
John is currently doing Access All Areas Transforming Leadership programme, learning about leadership in governance and sitting on the Access All Areas’ board of trustees.
John is also an Associate Artist of Access All Areas. To learn more on his artistic career, read John’s Artist Profile
Stephen Reeder
Stephen is currently on Access All Areas Transforming Leadership programme. As part of the programme, he acts as the Trainee Co-Director of Black Cab Company, where he is exploring his leadership style. Stephen is focusing on being able to energise and focus the group, designing a journey of various themed activity and games
Stephen is also an Associate Artist of Access All Areas. To learn more on his artistic career, read Stephen’s Artist Profile
Eden West
Eden is currently on Access All Areas’ Transforming Leadership programme. As part of the programme, he works as a consultant for Access All Areas where he co-leads awareness training for industry professionals working within TV, film and theatre where he brings his lived experience of learning disability and autism.
Eden is also an Associate Artist of Access All Areas. To learn more on Eden’s artistic career, read his Artist Profile
Jacob Dean
Jacob is currently on Access All Areas Transforming Leadership programme. As part of the programme, he is trainee Co-Director on the Diploma where he is exploring his leadership style. Jacob is focusing on his strength of being attuned to the individual students’ journey.