UniSA honours arts icon Robyn Archer

Robyn-Archer-photo-by-Claudio-Raschella

Renowned singer, writer, artistic director and public advocate for the arts, Robyn Archer AO will be awarded an Honorary Doctorate from the University of South Australia this week.

Archer will be honoured at ceremony on Tuesday for her distinguished service to the community, acknowledging her extensive contribution to the arts as both a creative and a mentor, dedicated to developing the next generation of arts and cultural leaders.

In awarding the Honorary Doctorate, UniSA Vice Chancellor Professor David Lloyd says Archer’s creativity has touched audiences around the world while her passion and drive have had a significant influence on the arts and culture scene in Australia.

“On behalf of the University, I would like to acknowledge Robyn’s role in shaping the contemporary arts sector in Australia,” said Professor Lloyd. “Considered by many as a national treasure, we are honoured to have Robyn join the UniSA community.”

In addition to a successful music and stage career – 2019/20 marked the 40th anniversary of her hit one-woman show A Star is Torn which ran for a year in London’s West End – Archer has been at the helm of a number of festivals, including the Adelaide and Melbourne International Arts Festivals, Centenary of Canberra, and Tasmania’s Ten Days on the Island.

Author of several books, still performing regularly, and with her back catalogue of recordings being digitally re-released throughout 2021, under the Rouseabout Records label, Archer continues to be a global mentor for the European Festivals’ Association Festival Academy and is a proud Ambassador for the Adelaide Crows.


The accolade will be presented during UniSA’s April and May graduations, when more than 3200 students will graduate across 31 ceremonies. Robyn Archer AO will receive an Honorary Doctorate on Tuesday 13 April at 3:30pm. For more information, visit: www.unisa.edu.au for details.

Image: Robyn Archer AO – photo by Claudio Raschella