St Martins Youth Arts Centre have announced the appointment of Nadja Kostich as new Artistic Director and Co-CEO.
“It gives me great pleasure to announce that after a highly competitive recruitment process Nadja Kostich has been appointed to the role of Artistic Director of St Martins Youth Arts Centre for the next three years,” said Interim Chair, St Martins Youth Arts Centre, Elise Margow. “Nadja comes to the role at a very important juncture for St Martins.”
“Under the guidance of Clare Watson and Narda Shanley, St Martins has established a niche within the industry creating professional work using the talents and voices of children and teenagers for adult audiences. The Board believes that Nadja will be the perfect person to take over the reins from Clare Watson in driving this work to the next level. We look forward to working with Nadja to produce some of Australia’s most exciting performance work with children and teenagers.”
Outgoing Artistic Director, Clare Watson, who leaves St Martins to take over the reins at Perth’s Black Swan State Theatre Company said “Nadja Kostich is an artist whose work I have long admired. She has the vision, vitality and integrity that we need in our artistic leaders and I’m thrilled to be leaving St Martins in the hands of such a dynamic artist. ”
Nadja Kostich is a highly regarded and awarded interdisciplinary director and creative producer. Equally adept at large scale works or intimate performances, she is known for her visual and physical approach to text and her extensive experience with diverse communities. She recently directed I Call My Brothers at MTC, was Creative Producer of the CONNECT program in collaboration with MTC and Multicultural Arts Victoria, and directed the national tour of Bare Witness.
“I’m absolutely thrilled to take on the role of St Martin’s AD! What an exciting point this company is at. In a short time, under the stewardship of Clare Watson and Narda Shanley, St Martin’s grabbed our attention with such confidence and audacity,” said Nadja.
“The agency of young people as drivers of sophisticated artistic ideas that inspire works for adults is a potent provocation. In an Australia that has reduced the creative platform for youth voices, I feel the privilege and responsibility of our task. Open armed and open hearted, it’s full steam ahead for us at St Martin’s to build on the powerful momentum that has been set.”
Nadja will commence in October 2016. For more information, visit: www.stmartinsyouth.com.au for details.
Image: Nadja Kostich (supplied)