Calvin Culverwell - Community support & development at Parachute Music
The Master of Social and Community Leadership is developing Calvin's skills in social innovation design and systems leadership, and equipping him to authentically and creatively lead within grassroots organisations.
“My work involves overseeing events and cultivating a community culture at Parachute Music, attempting to serve an industry that often struggles with the negative effects of isolation, competition and the commodification of creativity. I love being in a role where I get to equip and support people who are passionate about honing and pursuing their craft. It is a privilege to play some part in making a career in the creative arts sector more accessible and sustainable for aspiring creatives.
“I firmly believe in the ability of grassroots organisations to effect meaningful change within their contexts, with positive flow-on effects. I wanted to find a postgraduate programme that would further equip me to authentically and creatively lead within such institutions and stumbled across the Master of Social and Community Leadership online - I was delighted to find it covered almost the exact territory I was hoping to navigate.
I have already been implementing my newly acquired skills of social innovation design and systems leadership as we develop the initiatives our organisation offers.
“As I look toward my thesis in 2021, I hope to produce something that drives dialogue around the importance of community and wellbeing in the creative sector.
“The best thing about this programme? He tangata, he tangata, he tangata. I have so enjoyed the people involved in this course. The faculty and the students all display such care for the work they do. As a programme it is wonderfully diverse, involving those who work in social work, education, psychology, emergency relief… the list goes on! The course is highly collaborative and the staff are approachable and inclusive. It has been a really positive learning experience."