The Gallery of the Boardroom

Professional development for principals on better ways to work with their boards can be a dry and uninspiring way to spend a governance colloquium. As a result, Dr Chris Duncan and Dr Amanda Bell AM devised a new program to invigorate a day filled with more creativity and unusual decision models. Unique, practical workshops were devised to interrogate the ways a diverse group of people can avoid bias, shadow cultures and disordered thinking when approaching new initiatives and challenging problems.

In place of standard meeting rooms, arts venues were approached to provide introductory provocation sessions. These set the context for imagining how directors may approach the unfamiliar places of complex school dynamics.

In Sydney, the colloquium based the provocation on the interactive Object Based Learning session at the Chau Chak Wing Museum, University of Sydney. Principals were actively engaged in hands-on experiences solving problems and seeing objects in new ways; cleverly providing them with the experience of how many of their board members may view unusual challenges faced in schools. Prof Annamarie Jagose gave her opening remarks on new ideas in educational research and teaching, while Michael Dagastino closed the day with commentary around the benefit of engaging boards with the arts on ways of seeing distinctive conundrums differently.

 

ACMI in Melbourne was the next venue for the colloquium with Prof Andrea Hull AO opening the day with insightful observations about schools, director responsibilities and the value of the arts. In place of object based learning, ACMI’s education team and Director employed the immersive experience of a contemporary film by Ayoung Kim, ‘Delivery Dancer’. Delegates were spell bound by the imagery, evocative of many memories and connections. The task was to prepare a didactic panel suitable for a Year 6 student. This demonstrated the need for good communication with board papers to be clear, non-specialist and purpose-centred. Director, Seb Chan, deftly closed the day describing eloquently the need for collaboration and integration of diverse skills to find exceptional solutions.

In addition to the provocations, workshops based on the Cynefin model were undertaken. The Cynefin model can be used in school governance to help leaders identify the nature of challenges they face—whether simple, complicated, complex, or chaotic—and apply appropriate decision-making strategies. By categorising issues, principals and board directors can tailor their approaches, ensuring they apply structured solutions to straightforward problems and embrace adaptive, experimental approaches for more complex, evolving educational challenges. This model was front of mind when Dr Chris Duncan presented two school case studies to unpack which led to a better understanding of the biases, poor decisions and changes that led to crisis situations.

The ’Gallery of the Boardroom’ series is being held in every state capital, with Brisbane next on 23 October 2024 show-casing an space/place-based provocation by m3architecture in the Brisbane Powerhouse. Hobart, Adelaide and Perth will follow early next year.

The Gallery of the Boardroom offers independent school principals a distinctive and enriching experience situated in unique arts environments. These locations immediately inspire creativity, innovation and fresh perspectives, essential for strategic decision-making and leadership. Immersed in beautiful, light-filled places, traditional meeting formats are usurped by the sites, encouraging reflective thinking and collaborative problem-solving. The inspiring surroundings promote a deeper understanding of cultural diversity and the power of creative expression, enhancing leadership possibilities and contributing to more dynamic educational governance.

The ‘Gallery of the Boardroom’ colloquium concept is transferable to other contexts, including school board retreats, university college councils and university senates.

To register for upcoming events, please visit: https://www.ahisa.edu.au/AHISA/Events/2024/The-Gallery-of-the-Boardroom-Session-Series/Colloquium.aspx

Australian-Aboriginal-Flag Torres_Strait_Islanders_Flag Tino-Rangatiratanga-Maori-sovereignty-movement-flag

We acknowledge the first and continuing custodians of the countries and the grounds upon which we live, lead, and learn. We recognise the unique and enduring relationship that exists between Indigenous Peoples and the land the world over. We welcome their deep knowledge and lessons in stewardship.