Helena Gaunt

Helena Gaunt is a visiting professor at the Sibelius Academy of the University of the Arts Helsinki and Vice Principal at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama in the UK, focusing on research leadership and internationalization. She actively participates in initiatives like the Arts Without Borders conference, advocating for art's societal relevance and interdisciplinary collaboration. Her work emphasizes public art's role in connecting with diverse audiences, such as refugees and those with mental health challenges, while addressing ethical leadership and the arts' evolving relationship with business.

She critiques the myth of 'free art' and stresses the need for educational reforms to equip artists with skills beyond craft, including empathy, ethics, and cross-sector collaboration. Gaunt warns against art becoming irrelevant through detachment from societal needs and advocates for balanced partnerships with commercial entities.

Her research explores how artistic practices can address global challenges, such as anxiety relief through improvisation and choral singing, and how business leadership can learn from artistic processes. Despite no explicit awards listed, her contributions to policy, education, and public engagement underscore her influence in the arts sector.