About the course

A practical, sector-specific course that guides arts organisations through the full strategic planning process—from defining purpose and vision to building a realistic plan with measurable outcomes. The course is designed for managers, CEOs, board members, and arts leaders seeking to strengthen organisational clarity, improve decision-making, and build long-term resilience.

What you'll learn

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

• Develop a clear and practical strategic plan for your organisation.
• Understand your internal strengths, challenges, and capacity.
• Analyse your external environment and identify key strategic issues.
• Define focused strategic priorities and measurable goals.
• Translate strategy into realistic annual plans and budgets.
• Engage your board, staff, and stakeholders in the planning process.
• Monitor progress with simple, effective reporting tools.
• Communicate your strategic direction with clarity and confidence.

Our approach

We take a practical, realistic, and arts-focused approach to strategic planning. Instead of abstract theory or corporate-heavy models, this course guides you through a process that fits the realities of small-to-medium arts organisations—limited resources, creative ambitions, and diverse stakeholders.

We focus on clarity, adaptability, and meaningful action. Every concept is paired with practical tools, real examples, and templates you can use immediately. The result is a strategic plan that is not only well-structured, but genuinely useful in guiding decisions, strengthening your organisation, and supporting long-term artistic impact.