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Action Learning in the Arts - ALITA

 “The value of ALITA2 has been understanding that organisational development is not an end in itself; it is about concentrating on delivering the art and creativity…It has made me more realistic about the things you can change…it has rekindled in me the joy of learning…I’ve read more, looked at other artforms and that has been fantastic” Derek Purnell, CEO, Birmingham Royal Ballet

ALITA is for established arts organisations in transition from the tactical to the strategic, and for strategic organisations looking at refreshment, growth and development. It is about embedding sustainability, leaving organisations in a better position to survive and grow. It is about being led by the artistic and business vision, and ensuring all the people in an organisation are working clearly and specifically towards achieving this.  Delivered for Arts + Media Training, ALITA2 was a two-year programme of support and development for up to 15 arts organisations. The programme was about developing organisations, not just individuals (though this is often a necessary part of the process). ALITA2 provided an opportunity to review the way in which an organisation works; compare experiences with others; share expertise; develop plans for organisational development and change; and help create a mutually supportive community of interest in the arts sector. The programme was developed to move the participants through the following specific phases:

Based on a series of day long workshops with two facilitators, Peter Cox and Debbie Kingsley, with invited speakers to bring in additional expertise, sessions were followed by the setting of action learning tasks that were then discussed at hour long teleconferences.

“I decided it was more important to come to Alita2 than fill in a £25,000 funding application.”Gill Gill, b Arts

“It’s an intelligent training programme”

“tiring, inspirational, irritating, dynamic”;

The project included visits to other participants organisations as part of the formal project structure to further support the action learning process. This helped develop a very close understanding of each others work. For some their visits proved to be very emotional and rewarding. Some found themselves participating in workshops, engaged directly in arts activity; some quizzed staff to understand the other organisation in some detail. Genuine insights were achieved and some were lucky enough to have an experience that they say they will never forget. Video diaries were taken by the visitors and sharing video clips with the whole group and some of their Board members proved to be a moving and insightful experience and the shared respect for each organisation and their work was further enhanced.

“Alita2 has given me a tool box and step by step guide. It has given us the confidence to share things, develop ownership, making the whole organisation think. It has also given us a great deal more competence.” Simon Daykin, Chief Executive, Pegasus Theatre

“We have found ALITA2 very uplifting - insights don’t normally lead to change but we are changing and that will lead to new insights”. Gill Gill

 "We have become a cohesive group - a lot of bilateral links have been made and will remain” Roger Watson, Artistic Director, Traditional Arts Projects

"Debbie and Peter have been really fantastic, great role models as trainers and have actually helped us to get to a different place in our organisation and in my personal development. The whole process of being in a learning set with such arrange of organisations has enabled us to network in a really appropriate and valuable way. The sessions give me time and space to think about and work on the organisation as opposed to doing the work. I believe the process helps us achieve real change because real change won’t happen without taking the time to take the steps to make it happen"

TMPL has delivered a programme of work which will have far-reaching resonances for all its participants. We are very proud of this programme and of the collaboration with TMPL which has made it possible" Marion Doyen, Chief Executive Arts + Media Training

Participants in ALITA 1 and 2 included:

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