Investing in Australia’s strong arts leadership: present and future

AAR Australia Council Future LeadersThe Australia Council has announced the next cohort of participants in its flagship Arts Leaders and Future Leaders programs.

The 20 participants of the Arts Leaders program will embark on a 12 month journey of leadership activities aimed at further embedding strong leadership across the artforms.

This collaborative program will take these mid-career, established artists and arts workers to regional locations across Australia and to Indonesia for intensive residentials. The leaders will take part in workshops and virtual meetings, delving into the critical issues impacting the arts globally.

A further 20 participants will take part in the Future Leaders program, which caters to high potential emerging arts leaders. This six month program includes residentials, workshops, peer-to-peer engagement and the chance to participate in a secondment program.

Australia Council Director Capacity Building Kevin du Preez said it was crucial to invest in strong arts leaders and to ready them for the future. “At the heart of the program design is an understanding that our sector is already rich in knowledge and capability, and that artists and arts leaders learn and evolve through sharing stories and experiences,” he said.

“Over the years Australia Council programs such as these have substantially benefited the sector and the career of individual leaders. The programs continue to contribute to the future of the sector as whole, whilst providing pivotal professional development for the successful participants.”

The 40 Australian leaders will be joined in 2019 by 10 international arts leaders, as part of the Australia Council’s International Leadership Program, offered in partnership with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). The international participants will be announced at a later date. For more information, visit: www.australiacouncil.gov.au for details.

Image: courtesy of the Australia Council for the Arts


Arts Leaders – 2019
Alexandra Adsett (QLD) Alex Adsett Publishing Services
Michael Barlow (WA) Spare Parts Puppet Theatre
Este Darin-Cooper (NSW) Creative Partnerships Australia
Kathryn Gray (NSW) Independent
Anne-Marie Heath (NSW) The Arts House Wyong
Philip Heuzenroeder (VIC) Wild At Heart
Edwina Johnson (NSW) Byron Writers Festival
Jennifer Kerr (VIC) Melbourne International Jazz Festival
Peter Knight (VIC) Australian Art Orchestra
James Lockyer (VIC) Arts Centre Melbourne
Anne Loxley (NSW) c3West/MCA
Fiona Maxwell (QLD) Brisbane Powerhouse
Kylie McRae (VIC) Chamber Made
Lachlan Philpott (NSW) Playwriting Australia
Nicholas Pickard (NSW) APRA AMCOS
Sally Richardson (WA) Steamworks
Eira Swaine (SA) Australian Dance Theatre
Karen Therese (NSW) PYT Fairfield
Colette Vella (NSW) Musica Viva Australia
Annette Vieusseux (VIC) Lucy Guerin Inc

Future Leaders – 2019
Tahlia Azaria (VIC) Circus Oz
Annie Bourke (VIC) Malthouse Theatre
Caine Chennatt (WA) UWA Cultural Precinct
Amber Cronin (SA) Independent
Meredith Dellar (NT) Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory
Bethany Falzon (NSW) Northern Beaches Council
Ciaran Frame (NSW) Independent
Nuala Furtado (NSW) PACT
Hannah Grace (NT) Desart
Penelope Grist (ACT) National Portrait Gallery
Grace Herbert (TAS) Independent
Joshua Lowe (TAS) DRILL/ Yellow Wheel
Jay Emmanuel (WA) St George’s Dance and Theatre
John Quertermous (NSW) Opera Australia
Daniel Santangeli (VIC) Midsumma Festival
Patrice Sharkey (VIC) West Space
Autumn Skuthorpe (QLD) Crossroad Arts
Christina Taylor (VIC) Independent
Justin Wolfers (NSW) The Lifted Brow / Allen & Unwin
Tamara Zimet (NSW) Sydney Writers’ Festival