The New Alchemistsby Charles and Elizabeth Handy Charles Handy is probably well known to people in the arts through his wide ranging writings on management. This book is quite a departure from his previous, and his first collaboration with his wife, a photographer. Here they are exploring the dimensions of 'new alchemy' ; that is creating something significant - an activity, an idea, perhaps an organisation, from nothing. These are people 'who make a distinctive difference to the world around' them. A subject which surely has great resonance within the arts. The Handys have chosen twenty nine people as their subjects, and developed some theoretical perspectives on how this 'new alchemy' happens. There is no doubt, according to Handy of the need to understand and encourage these kind of people. As he says "we need more .. At all levels and in all sectors. They sow the seeds of the future." Not surprisingly, there are examples from within the arts and related fields: Declan Donnellan and Nick Ormerod founders of Cheek by Jowl theatre company, Rose Fenton and Lucy Neal of the London International Festival of Theatre are probably best known. Nice to see them alongside others such as Tim Waterstone, of Waterstone Books, Geoff Mulgan who established the think tank Demos, Michael Young with his work in various social and education spheres, and the better known, Richard Branson and Terence Conran. As ever with Handy's writing, it's a lively and interesting read. It can also give inspiration, arguments and confidence to many of us who are feeling beleaguered by the new priorities and agendas facing the arts.
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