Cornish Artist Sovay Berriman Graduates at Tate Modern and Champions ‘ReWilding the Arts’

Photo: Group Photo – Sovay is second from right

Cornish artist and arts leader Sovay Berriman has reached a significant milestone, graduating as part of the Clore Leadership Fellowship programme at the prestigious Tate Modern. Sovay, who is also the Director of plumbing and heating company Plumb Maid, has developed an innovative concept called ‘ReWilding the Arts’, aimed at reshaping the governance and executive processes within the arts sector.

Sovay’s Vision for ReWilding the Arts

Through their artistic practice, Sovay has long been committed to exploring and challenging power dynamics. During their Fellowship, supported by a-n The Artists Information Company, Sovay delved into how arts and cultural governance can align more closely with the behaviours and practices of creative production.

The concept of ReWilding the Arts Leadership emerged as a key focus of their journey, emphasising the need for policy and governance to draw inspiration from natural cycles and sustainable methodologies. Sovay’s provocation paper for the Fellowship underlines the urgency of this approach:

“At a time of well recognised climate crisis and limited resources, a time of acknowledgment of societal inequality, when practices of care are being called for, we need a rebalancing of power, and access to power, that is supple, responsive, reflective and in-tune with the natural cycles of our lives. Using a methodology that comes from the land we walk and live on, even eat from, feels congruent with the change we need to make.”

As part of this vision, Sovay has invited organisations to participate in a peer learning space to further contribute to the concept of ReWilding the Arts.

Expanding Sovay’s Impact

Sovay’s Fellowship journey also led to accreditation as a coach with RD1st, adding coaching, mentoring, and consultation to their portfolio. In addition, Sovay is joining the board of trustees for Creative Kernow, one of Cornwall’s leading creative organisations, part-funded by Arts Council England and Cornwall Council. Creative Kernow champions creativity as a force for positive change in the region.

Reflecting on their experience, Sovay shared:

“I found it confirmed a lot for me about how arts and culture works and about the potential for change. I feel more secure in my approach to work, and in what I can contribute to the systemic change that is, slowly, underway.”

Learn More About Sovay’s Journey

Sovay’s work, including their plans for ReWilding the Arts, can be explored further on their website. Details about other graduates from the 2023/24 Clore Fellowship are available here.