Leadership and Culture

Leadership and Culture

April 16, 2014
Jepson School facilitates yearlong series of events about cultural leadership

Leadership isn’t confined to politics or the executive suite. Sometimes it happens in a recording studio, on stage, with the stroke of a pen or behind the lens of a camera.

Think Bob Dylan, T. S. Eliot—even Oprah.  

It’s the television show that shapes culture, the striking image snapped by the photojournalist on the cover of the magazine that reframes the issue, the play that makes us question our humanity.

The Jepson School of Leadership Studies spent this year exploring the concept of cultural leadership. Professors Peter Kaufman and Kristin Bezio organized events around the theme.  

The Jepson Leadership Forum, “Culture Shock: The ART of Leading Society,” sought to “examine the many ways in which culture—through television, film, theater, music and visual art—acts as and engages with leadership and transformation,” says Bezio. A Tony- and Emmy-nominated director, playwright and author of this year’s One Book, One Richmond selection, an award-winning documentary photographer and a TV critic for The New Yorker were among the speakers.

The Jepson Colloquium, “Leading Culture Forward,” invited distinguished scholars from multiple disciplines to explore the concept and the work of iconic figures in music and literature.

A concert by acclaimed folk musician Abigail Washburn, with special musical guests, concluded the yearlong series of events.