In this episode of Lenses on Leadership, we chat to Tom Ryalls, writer, cultural organiser, co-founder of BAP! and Chair of Graeae.
We talk about privilege, fearlessness and the structures that shape who gets access to resources. Tom shares his thinking on how we might reorganise those resources, challenge the systems that keep them concentrated, and create different possibilities for artists and communities.
We also explore what it means to be a leader or ‘organiser’, and consider what effective, thoughtful leadership can look like, and how leaders can use their privilege to hold the door open for others in the spaces they have access to.
Listening links and transcripts launching Friday 29 October!
Our Guest
Tom is an award-winning writer and cultural organiser. Tom’s work as a cultural organiser has mainly focused on redistribution resources towards ambitious creative projects, he has previously been a Head of Development, an Executive Director, and an “Arts Fundraising and Philanthropy Fellow” with Cause4. He is a founding trustee of Unlimited, a member of the London Area Council of Arts Council England, the Deputy Chair of their Disability Advisory Committee, and the chair of Graeae. His work was celebrated when he was named as one of the 10 most influential people in performing arts, television and radio by The Shaw Trust in 2024, and he became a Clore Fellow in 2025. He consolidated this experience in the founding of BAP! As a vehicle for addressing the relationship between creativity and wealth redistribution.
Find out more about Tom and his work,
BAP! Cultural Organising: www.wearebap.co.uk
Graeae Theatre Company: graeae.org/who-we-are/
This Book is Short: A Toolkit for Creative ADHDers by Tom Ryalls
