10 Lessons in Cultural Leadership from the Women who Make Culture

Written by CHARLOTTE JANSEN

Monday Muse is a cultural series produced by The Wick, getting to know the tastemaking and gamechanging women blazing a trail in the creative industries. Running every Monday, our Monday Muse feature highlight inspiring voices and ideas in the arts and culture world, exploring personal journeys, practices, influences and how to deal with challenges, spotlighting the figures shaping contemporary culture today on a weekly basis. Monday Muse has become one of our favourite – and most read – features at The Wick. In celebration of International Women’s Day 2026, we reflect on ten vital lessons on cultural leadership we have learned from our amazing muses this past year.

Foster community IRL

Above Gallerist Pearl Lam

The Wick Culture - Sharmadean Reid - Photography by Kiran Gidda

Above Sharmadean Reid – Photography by Kiran Gidda

Above Gallerist Pearl Lam

Above Sharmadean Reid – Photography by Kiran Gidda

“The best advice I can offer is to make connections and form lasting relationships. Connections have always been at the heart of my world. Meeting people, forming genuine relationships, and learning from others has been vital.”

Pioneering, visionary gallerist Pearl Lam

“People want depth: shared values, shared curiosity, shared ritual. Digital platforms will still spark connection, but the return to in-person gatherings like salons, workshops and retreats will define the next decade.”

Entrepreneur and MBE, Sharmadean Reid

Make Culture a Priority

Above Freya Salway

“Cultural leadership starts with “making the cultural and creative industries a top priority, understanding… that culture is a core pillar of a global city’s economy, society, and identity.”

Head of the Lab at Google Arts and Culture, Freya Salway

Practice Balance

The Wick Culture - Maria Balshaw. Photography by Erdem Moralioglu

Above Maria Balshaw. Photography by Erdem Moralioglu

“I think balance in life, working hard, and then switching off properly, is the key to resilience.”

Tate Director Maria Balshaw

Think about your work environment

Above Paloma Strelitz

Above Mary Findlay

Above Paloma Strelitz

Above Mary Findlay

“thoughtful design can create the conditions for inclusive innovation and entrepreneurial confidence.”

Patch Creative Director, Paloma Strelitz

On art in the workplace: “In a world where we are all too plugged into our devices it (art) creates in-person conversations and sparks engagement and new ideas…Each artwork tells a story, not just about the artist and their work, but more widely about society.”

Mary Findlay, Senior Art Curator at Deutsche Bank

Be authentic, lead and others will follow

The Wick Culture - Deep Kailey at Without Shape Without Form's new HQ in Slough, courtesy Without Shape Without Form

Above Deep Kailey at Without Shape Without Form’s new HQ in Slough, courtesy Without Shape Without Form

The Wick Culture - Joy Gregory by Brook Andrews

Above Joy Gregory by Brook Andrews

The Wick Culture - Rejina Pyo photographed by Bob Foster

Above Rejina Pyo photographed by Bob Foster

Above Anita Rani

Above Deep Kailey at Without Shape Without Form’s new HQ in Slough, courtesy Without Shape Without Form

Above Joy Gregory by Brook Andrews

Above Rejina Pyo photographed by Bob Foster

Above Anita Rani

“Do the work. Let go of the outcome.”

SHAPE without Form co-founder and artistic director Deep Kailey

“Just keep your eye on what it is that you want to do and be true to yourself.”

Artist Joy Gregory

“I look for authenticity. Collaboration works when ideas feel genuine and inspiring.”

Fashion designer, Rejina Pyo

“Just focus on your own game. Don’t be envious, admire, don’t be jealous, inspire.”

Broadcaster, Anita Rani

Art is not a momentary interest, it should be one of life’s constants

The Wick Culture - Brigitta Spinocchia Freund, photography by Felix Speller

Above Brigitta Spinocchia Freund, photography by Felix Speller

Above Eileen Cooper

Above Brigitta Spinocchia Freund, photography by Felix Speller

Above Eileen Cooper

Growing up around creatives and craftspeople “shaped me entirely…design wasn’t just something to appreciate; it was a way of life.”

Interiors Guru, Brigitta Freund

“art education should be for everyone…it should begin early, ideally from nursery age, and continue throughout life.”

Artist, Eileen Cooper

Think long-term

The Wick Culture - Katy Hessel. Photography by Lily Bertrand-Webb

Above Katy Hessel. Photography by Lily Bertrand-Webb

Above Louise Hayward

Above Katy Hessel. Photography by Lily Bertrand-Webb

Above Louise Hayward

“Institutions can flip the script by thinking long-term, not short-term. Museums teach us about deep time, and that’s the approach we need to take if we want to make a real difference for the next generation.”

Author and Art Historian, Katy Hessel

“The gallery has always thought of a future of cultural legacy and impact, and a driver of market leadership – without art, society as we know it would not exist.”

Lisson Gallery partner, Louise Hayward

Listen

Above Anthea Peers

“We must constantly listen, be thoughtful, and be agile.”

Christie’s EMEA President, Anthea Peers

The Wick Culture - Photo: Ricardo Gomez Angel

Happenings 61st Venice Biennale

Happenings, Travel