Sam Beauford Woodworking Institute director Luke Barnett graduates leadership program

ADRIAN — Luke Barnett, executive director of the Sam Beauford Woodworking Institute in Adrian, recently graduated from the state of Michigan's Rising Leaders program.

Rising Leaders is a rigorous and highly interactive personal development initiative committed to the advancement of Michigan's arts leaders, according to a news release from the institute. The program is designed and facilitated by the Michigan Economic Development Corp., the Michigan Arts & Culture Council and Partners in Performance.

Over a seven-month period, participants engaged in a series of activities in three main areas: building self-awareness and self-management, creating mutual influence, and gaining tools to create communities and a state where everyone can experience and express creativity in their daily lives.

Participants were selected through an application process to the Michigan Arts & Culture Council. Barnett was recommended to the program by state Rep. Bronna Kahle R-Adrian.

“The program fulfills a critical role in our state, investing in young Michigan leaders in the arts and culture field, so they are better equipped to foster the creation of communities and a state in which everyone can experience and express creativity in their daily lives. I wholeheartedly support Luke’s application to the program," Kahle said. "Luke’s leadership and dedication to the art of woodcraft is evident to all who have the privilege of knowing him. His enthusiasm for the craft is contagious, inspiring countless others, regardless of age, race, or background, to have the confidence to learn this timeless art and express their creativity in a safe community that welcomes and embraces everyone.”

After being accepted into the program, the students begin the seven-month period of activities that focus on growth, management, and building tools to create and kindle arts communities.

“I have spent nine days with Luke and the other members of the 12-person cohort. During this time, I have been struck by Luke’s incisive observations and his clear and matter-of-fact manner in identifying critical questions relating to leading within the organizational and community contexts. He is a keen and patient listener. He exhibits a deep curiosity, frequently inquiring about additional resources and/or opportunities to further develop his management acumen and effectiveness," John McCann, president of Partners in Performance, said. "His interaction with his peers was observed as consistently positive, kind, and earnest. His work in small group exercises, where both critical and generative thinking were required, helped establish focus on the task at hand, while showing support for his colleagues and their input. Overall, Luke has a proven track record of building a sustainable and adaptive organization, and he possesses significant potential to expand his impact, whether in his current community or if he should decide to expand his mandate.”

Program participants from across the state of Michigan gain the tools and perspectives needed to strengthen their leadership skills and develop relationships with an cohort of peers dedicated to advancing the arts and culture field.

“Luke may be quiet at first glance, but he’s also proven he brings a knowledge set and a desire to contribute that is tangible in group settings. What I loved most was that so many of our 'artists' and 'arts leaders' were coming from very traditional art forms — music, theatre, dance, visual arts, etc. But as an extremely talented and knowledgeable woodworker, Luke brought something new and valuable to our discussions about what art is and how it can be used to transform lives," Chad Badgero of the Michigan Arts & Cultural Council said. "Luke also is disarmingly frank and transparent in his desire to learn and grow, which not only created an atmosphere that encouraged learning, but also celebrated it as well. You could see the rest of his cohort members, some of whom had perhaps lost the dewy-eyed love of their art form to the rigors and mundane work that can sap you of your joy, being reminded of why they got into arts leadership in the first place. Luke established himself in our cohort, and I believe does this for anyone that’s fortunate enough to work with him, as someone who is eager and excited to learn and do better.”

This article originally appeared on The Daily Telegram: Luke Barnett graduates arts, culture leadership program