The world of arts and culture is constantly evolving, and many organisations are striving to make positive changes within their communities. However, it can be easy to get bogged down in the complexity of these challenges and feel overwhelmed by the need to achieve perfection
The Importance of Starting Somewhere
In Episode 30 of the Arts and Everything In Between podcast, I had a wonderful chat with the incredible Katie Parry, Director at Supercool Design. Over the past few months, I’ve had the privilege of learning from Katie and being able to pick her brain on so many of the topics she speaks of in this episode. I’ve been incredibly lucky to take more of her time and get her onto the podcast to share these learnings and tips with our listeners.
In this episode, Katie shared her insights on how arts and culture organisations can channel their passion for change without getting overwhelmed. She emphasised that the key is to start somewhere, even if imperfectly.
"Small steps often lead to big changes," she explained. "Instead of waiting for the perfect moment to make a big impact, we can focus on making consistent, incremental improvements that will eventually add up to a significant impact."
The Power of Small Changes
Katie's advice echoes the concept of kaizen, a Japanese philosophy that emphasises continuous improvement. By adopting a kaizen mindset, organisations can break down complex challenges into smaller, more manageable goals. This approach makes the process less daunting and allows for more rapid progress.
Internalising Change
Katie also stressed the importance of internalising change, making it a core part of an organisation's culture. This requires a shift in mindset, where change is not seen as a disruption but as an essential element of growth and innovation.
Transparency: Encouraging Others
Another critical aspect of fostering change is transparency. Organisations should be open and honest about their challenges and efforts to address them. This transparency can encourage others to step up and contribute to the collective effort for positive change.
Partnerships for Success
Our conversation highlighted the benefits of collaborating with other organisations, both within the arts sector and beyond. Partnerships can provide access to new resources, expertise, and perspectives, making it easier to tackle complex challenges and achieve wider-reaching results.
The Power of Imperfect Action
Katie emphasised that imperfect action is better than inaction. By taking small, consistent steps towards change, organisations can make a real difference in their communities and contribute to a more positive and equitable future for the arts.
"Perfectionism can be the enemy of progress, we should embrace the power of imperfect action and celebrate the learnings along the way."
The arts and culture sector plays a vital role in society, providing opportunities for personal growth, cultural exchange, and social commentary. As organisations within this sector strive to make positive changes, they can draw inspiration from Katie’s advice: Start somewhere, even if imperfectly; small steps lead to big changes; internalise change, making it a core part of the organisation's culture; be transparent about challenges and progress; partner with others to amplify impact. By embracing these principles, arts and culture organisations can continue to be drivers of progress and positive change in their communities.
