In this blog, Sandra Bruce-Gordon was interviewed by CAUSE4 after being chosen as charity leader of the month in July 2023.

1. Could you tell us a little bit about your work and what your mission is?

Paintings in Hospitals is a national charity that uses Visual Art for health and wellbeing. We provide artwork loans and creative activities for people in healthcare, community, and social care settings. We hold the UK’s only national art collection specifically assembled for the purpose, with over 3,800 artworks from well-known artists such as Antony Gormley, Bridget Riley, Andy Warhol, Elizabeth Blackadder, Yinka Shonibare and Jake and Dinos Chapman. Collaborating with local partners we help people and communities meet the challenges around ageing, loneliness, long-term health conditions, poor mental health and socio-economic disadvantage. Participants in our art loan programme and associated art projects engage in every aspect, from choosing artworks for display, to meaningfully engaging with skilled art practitioners to get the best from their experience.

2. How did you get to where you are today and what does your role involve?

I have worked in the culture and creative industries sector for nearly 40 years. The journey starting with my decision to go to Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, to study drama. Highlights from my career include a season as Director of the National Youth Theatre of Bermuda; being part of the successful management team during Glasgow’s reign as European Capital of Culture in 1990; being Head of Service for several local authorities responsible for a variety of cultural services including theatres and galleries, and as a CEO managing public libraries within the private sector. Before joining Paintings in Hospitals I ran my own consultancy company and was successful in winning bids for charities to run local authority services including libraries, theatres, and museums threatened with closure. I was honoured to be awarded the Fellowship of the Royal Society of Arts for my work preserving cultural venues. My role at Paintings in Hospitals allows me to use my experience to support the team to achieve the charity’s strategic objectives and I also function as Company Secretary to the Board of Trustees.

3. What advice would you give to prospective leaders?

The first thing I’d say is lead from the front, be collaborative, everyone has a voice and deserves to be listened to. Be ready to take responsibility and accountability to make the big decisions and communicate your reasoning. Be prepared to take measured risks and think creatively. Importantly create a culture where others can thrive and be supported. Never forget to say thank you for a job well done.

4. What is something you are passionate about seeing change in the sector?

The Arts are an important part of all our lives. In terms of health and wellbeing they make a monumental contribution, which is now thankfully well evidenced. I have to ask then, why are the arts still so terribly underfunded? There is a systemic failure in this country that undervalues art and culture. Why should an artist or an arts organisation’s work be rated (in terms of payment) less than a computer programmer or software engineer? Many artists struggle to make a living and many smaller arts organisations are not supported in their strategic plans or development and have a short-lived existence. Why is there still argument about what should be funded, the Royal Opera House or a street arts festival? In truth we need both, we need to create the ecosystem that allows us all to lead healthy, fulfilling lives. If the arts sector is to continue to deliver interventions on current challenges, then the government needs not only to understand the intrinsic value of arts but the return on investment and the impact from arts projects which combat the challenges.

The World Health Organisation Art Impact For Health and SDGs Initiative is mapping the work of organisations using art for health and wellbeing. The ultimate goal for WHO is that the findings of its research will ultimately inform public policy across all 194 of the United Nations member states. If we could inform public policy in this country the arts would be transformed. This is the change in the sector that is needed the most.