Festivals Adelaide appoints Justyna Jochym as new Chief Executive Officer

Festivals Adelaide Justyna JochymThe Board of Festivals Adelaide have announced the appointment of Justyna Jochym to the role of Chief Executive Officer (CEO), following the departure of outgoing CEO Christie Anthoney, who has held the position since 2013.

Chair of Festivals Adelaide, Ian Scobie, said that the board is thrilled to announce Ms Jochym as the incoming CEO, who will begin her tenure on Monday 3 February 2020.

“Ms Jochym’s robust history within the international festivals market and associated high calibre positions established her as the key candidate for the position, and we are enthusiastic to see her utilise her existing experience and expertise within the role to further extend the presence of Festivals Adelaide.” said Mr Scobie.

The former head of the Department for International Cooperation and Development at Krakow Festival Office (Poland), Ms Jochym managed the membership and activity of the Festival Office and City of Krakow in numerous international networks, including the Festival Cities Network and UNESCO Creative Cities Network.

Simultaneously, Ms Jochym held the position of Chair of the UNESCO Cities of Literature, strategically leading the shared work of 28 Cities of Literature. Most recently she has worked with the City of Adelaide, Adelaide Festival Centre, and University of South Australia across various positions.

Ms Jochym said that she is eager to get started with Festivals Adelaide and begin working alongside the affiliated organisations to continue building on the international reputation of Adelaide’s festival market while ensuring the short and long-term development of the industry in South Australia.

“Adelaide is a world-leading festival city – a cultural powerhouse renowned for the talent it cultivates and attracts; its dynamic arts and creative industries; and the powerful impact of festivals on local communities, tourism and the South Australian economy,” said Ms Jochym

“Adelaide is a special place for this reason, a place that captured my heart, mind, imagination and inspired my move from Europe to Australia in late 2018. There couldn’t be a greater privilege and joy for me but to join this esteemed organisation, its team and board in building on and amplifying the successes of this special city and its exciting festival market.”

Christie Anthoney was CEO of Festivals Adelaide for the past six years. Her leadership, commitment, vision and drive helped embed the festivals as a sector of growth, reputation and excellence for South Australia.  Her commitment to the sector has not ended as Christie has accepted the role of Associate Director at the City of Adelaide, leading the Community & Culture team where we will continue to work together

Festivals Adelaide Chair Ian Scobie also made special note of the achievements and tireless work of outgoing CEO, Christie Anthoney.

“Christie Anthoney has achieved much with Festivals Adelaide within her time as CEO, and the board and the organisations that sit within the Festivals Adelaide portfolio are indebted to her work and milestones she has achieved in her time, and we wish her only the best on her future career achievements,” said Mr Scobie.

Festivals Adelaide is the alliance of 11 major Arts Festivals in South Australia; The Adelaide Festival, Adelaide Fringe, WOMADelaide, SA’s History Festival, South Australian Living Artists Festival (SALA), Adelaide Film Festival, Feast Festival, AND (produced by the Adelaide Festival Centre): The Cabaret Festival, OzAsia Festival, Guitar Festival and DreamBIG Children’s Festival. For more information, visit: www.festivalsadelaide.com.au for details.

Image: Justyna Jochym – courtesy of Festivals Adelaide