Women in the Arts panel

25 June 2014

We had an excellent panel discussion last week on ‘Women in the Arts, chaired by Hertford Fellow in English Emma Smith joined by Catherine Bennett (1975),Observer columnist, Kerensa Jennings (1989), Head of Strategic Delivery at the BBC, Robin Norton-Hale (1999), theatre and opera director, winner of the 2011 Olivier Award for Best Opera, and Liz Forgan (St Hugh’s alumna), Former Chair of Arts Council England.

The panel discussed a range of issues both specific to the arts and more general to women’s experiences in the workplace. Themes that recurred were about women’s confidence and self-belief, and about career/family balance. All four panellists agreed, though, that women must put themselves out there and seize opportunities rather than wait for them to drop!

Catherine Bennett’s Observer column took up the discussion.