Arts Leaders Program
This was a personal and professional development opportunity for mid-career to established arts leaders with over ten years’ experience in the sector.
The program was delivered over 12-months and involved three interconnected residentials that took place in-person and digitally, with online learning components in between. Participants in the program joined a cohort of mid-career and established arts leaders working within organisations, independently or in their communities.
Through facilitated discussion, knowledge exchanges, workshops and on Country learning with First Nations Elders, participants collectively explored the current challenges and opportunities presented within the creative industry.
Future Leaders Program
The Future Leaders Program was a personal and professional development opportunity for emerging arts leaders within the first ten years of their career.
The program was delivered over 12-months, offering participants ways to connect with and learn from peers who were working within organisations or independently, through in-person and online workshops. Through facilitated discussion, knowledge exchanges, workshops and on Country learning with First Nations Elders, Future Leaders looked at new models of leadership and current themes in the creative industries.
2020 participants
Ayebatonye Abrakasa (NSW) Irregular Fit
Nikki Brogan (NSW) FBi Radio
Luke Campbell (TAS) Second Echo Ensemble
Penny Camens (SA) Patch Theatre
Joel Carnegie (VIC) The Space Company
Bastian Fox Phelan (NSW) Independent Writer
Zoya Godoroja-Prieckaerts (NT) Independent Artist
Emma Hicks (NSW) Museum of Contemporary Arts & University of Sydney
Tasnim Hossain (NSW) Independent Theatremaker
Rebecca Kais (WA) Art Gallery of Western Australia
William Le (NSW) International Casting & Creative Management (ICACM)
Sigrid Macdonald (NSW) Second Nature Strategies
Daisy Montalvo (NSW) FUNPARK
Lana Nguyen (VIC) Independent Creative Producer
Katina Olsen (QLD) Independent Choreographer and Performer
Raina Peterson (VIC) Karma Dance
Adelaide Rief (ACT) Independent Creative Producer
Jenna Robertson (QLD) Independent Artist and Creative Producer
Lani Auvita Scott (QLD) Arts Society Papua New Guinea
SEC Newgate Mentoring Program
The SEC Newgate Mentoring and Stakeholder Engagement program for leadership program alumni is an opportunity that supports participants to gain skills in representing and building support for their work, organisation, community of practice and policy ambitions.
It is suited to senior and executive leaders, particularly those in CEO or senior leadership roles of medium organisation.
Past participants
2023
- Jessica Alice
- Tarragh Cunningham
- Joshua Lowe
- Kylie McRae
- Shay Vigona-Goudge
- Joshua Hoare
2022
- Emily Collins
- Fiona Maxwell
- Ros Abercrombie
- Joanne Kee
- Edwina Johnson
- Rosie Shepherdson-Cullen
- Jamie Lewis
- Kate Eltham
Creative Climate Leadership Program
Creative Climate Leadership (CCL) was hosted in 2023 to empower artists and cultural professionals to take action on the climate and ecological crisis with impact, creativity, and resilience. It was designed to mobilise and connect a creative climate movement and was delivered and facilitated by Julie’s Bicycle (UK) with co- facilitation from Ruth Langford.
This program was supported by the British Council.
CCL offered:
- An inspiring 5 day program of learning and peer-to-peer exchange for 24 talented and motivated participants living and working in Australia.
- A powerful opportunity to collaborate and develop creative ideas in a serene environment.
- A space to develop and/or scale up cultural leadership on climate action and justice.
- A supportive network of national and international CCL alumni.
2023 participants
Aimee Smith
Anna Weekes
Antonia Seymour
Ari Fuller
Astrid Edwards
Beatrice Jeavons
Bryony Anderson
Catherine Polcz
Charlie Mgee
Eliki Reade
Fiona Lee
Grace Nye-Butler
Guy Ritani
Jen Rae
Juundaal Strang-Yettica
Kate Scardifield
Keg de Souza
Na'ima Fine
Noemie Huttner-Koros
Pippa Bailey
Sēini Taumoepeau
Tanja Beer
Vika Mana
The Custodianship Program
Unearthing First Nations leadership by developing different ways of knowing, being and doing.
The Custodianship program (2020) was designed by First Nations leaders for First Nations leaders to transform sustainability in culture, practice, community and the arts.
Cultural practitioners, artists and arts workers from across art forms and career levels explored what custodianship and leadership meant in diverse contexts. They learned from self, from others and with peers
Future Form Program
Future Form was an opportunity for small to medium arts organisations to transform and innovate their core business model.
It provided time and space for participants to reimagine and respond to the future. Participants used a range of design techniques to interrogate the value proposition of their organisation; and identify practical solutions and next steps through online learning sessions, a group workshop, individual coaching sessions and peer support.
Riverina Arts Leadership Program
2021 Participants
- Alyson Evans, (NSW, Albury Area) Independent producer
- Scott Howie (NSW, Wagga Wagga) Independent producer
- Christopher Orchard, (NSW, Coolarmon Shire, Bland Shire, Junee Shire) Charles Sturt University
- Ashlee Laing, (NSW/VIC, Albury/Wodonga) Independent producer
- Roxanne Smith, (NSW, Wagga Wagga, Junee) Wagga Wagga Civic Centre
- Sarah Parsons, (NSW, Deniliquin) Outback Theatre
- Sivonne Binks, (NSW, south-west) Independent producer
- Claire Harris, (NSW Wagga Wagga) Create Hub Riverina and Eastern Riverina Arts
- Lauren Reynolds, (NSW Coolamon, Wagga Wagga) Wagga Wagga City Council
- Susan Reid, (NSW, Albury) Murray Arts
- Brittany Hefren, (NSW Wagga Wagga) Independent producer
- Erin Davis-Hartwig, (NSW Beechworth/Albury) Independent photographer & Old Stone Hall Co-Work and Art Space
- Phoebe Pinnock, (NSW Wagga Wagga) Regional Music, MusicNSW
- Greg Pritchard, (NSW Wagga Wagga) Independent producer
- Kerryn Beatty, (NSW Albury) Idependent producer
- James Farley, (NSW Wagga Wagga) Independent producer
- Elizabeth Robinson, (NSW Wagga Wagga) Independent designer
- Drew Halyday, (NSW Wagga Wagga) Wagga Wagga Art Gallery
- Samantha Taylor, (NSW Snowy Valleys) Taylor Made Artist Services and Tumut’s Falling Leaf Festival
- Genevieve Mott, (NSW Wagga Wagga and Albury) Museum of the Riverina
- Jhi Rayner, (NSW Wagga Wagga) Independent and Freeroam Theatre inc.
Emerging Leaders Development Program
2015 Participants
- Aaron Beach – Contemporary Dance Company of Western Australia
- Adi Diner – White Night Melbourne
- Alexandra Cameron-Fraser – Australian Chamber Orchestra
- Annette Vieusseux – Lucy Guerin Inc
- Antonia Seymore – Urban Theatre Projects
- Beverly Growden – Canberra Glassworks
- Carolyn Murphy – Art Gallery of NSW
- Katrina Douglas – PACT Centre for Emerging Artists
- Emma Calverley – Creative Partnerships Australia
- Philp Watkins – Desart Inc
- Georgie Davill – Carclew Youth Arts
- Jack Lloyd – Belconnen Arts Centre
- Jane Tonkin – Corrugated Iron Youth Arts
- John Kachoyan – MKA: Theatre of New Writing
- Kate Feilding – Independent
- Louisa Bezzina – Bleach Festival
- Jayne Lovelock – Melbourne Fringe
- Martina Murray – Melbourne Theatre Company
- Narelle Lewis – Performing Lines
- Penny Miles – Independent
- Simone Schinkel – KAGE
- Tim Stitz – Chamber Made Opera
- Zoe Graham – QAGOMA
- Felicity Bolt – Ausdance Tasmania
2014 Participants
- Amanda Foote – N/A
- Carli Leimbach – Independent
- Chris Kohn – N/A
- Cheryl Pickering – Various People Inc; Chamber Music Adelaide
- Caroline Downer – New England Regional Art Museum (NERAM)
- Hillary Coyne – Chunky Move
- Jaclyn Booton – The Wheelchair Centre
- Jade Lillie – Footscray Community Arts Centre
- Joe Toohey – Regional Arts Victoria
- Kerry O’Sullivan – The Blue Room Theatre
- Casey Lee – Arena Theatre Company
- Libby Hill – Victorian Opera
- Michelle O’Brien – Independent Arts & Festival Manager
- Narelle Jarry – Beyond Empathy
- Pip Wittenoom – The Australia Council for the Arts
- Bec Allen – N/A
- Rhys Holden – La Boite Theatre Company
- Rod Ainsworth – Creative Regions
- Tamara Harrison – Polyglot Theatre
- Timothy Jones – Seymour Centre
- Viv Rosman – Polyglot Theatre
2013 Participants
- Antonietta Morgillo – N/A
- Bronwyn Lobb – Melbourne Symphony Orchestra
- Damien Boyle – Monash University Academy of Performing Arts
- Danielle Harvey – Sydney Opera House
- Brad Spolding – The Substation
- Edwina Lunn – Darwin Festival Association Inc
- Georgia Rivers – Opera Australia
- Hillary Coyne – Chunky Move
- Kate Eltham – State Library of QLD
- Kathryn Hunyor – Object: Australian Design Centre
- Kane Forbes – Regional Arts Victoria
- Katherine Hoepper – Queensland Theatre Company
- Michael Dagostino – Campbelltown Arts Centre
- Michelle Broun – Indigenous Community Stories – FTI
- Nathalie Vallejo – Bangarra Dance Theatre
- Pippa Bainbridge – La Mama
- Sarah Neal – Malthouse Theatre
- Simeon Moran – Ilbijerri
- Sarah Greentree – The Wheeler Centre
- Jason Barry-Smith – N/A
- Tim Long Willoughby City Council
- Jon Cope – City of Armidale
- Joseph Mitchell – OzAsia
- Jen Mizuik – Banff Centre for the Arts
2012 Participants
- Naomi Lane – N/A
- Adrian Burnett – The Australia Council for the Arts
- Anthony Peluso – Country Arts South Australia
- Bernie Hearld – Gondwana Choirs
- Brendan Ross – N/A
- Ben Fox – Independent
- Daniel Randall – N/A
- Kate Larsen – Writers Victoria
- Paul Kooperman – N/A
- Esther Anatolitis – Regional Arts Victoria
- Fiona Menzies – Creative Partnerships Australia
- Olivia Ansell – Hayes Theatre
- Paul Osuch – Anywhere Festival
- Phip Murray – N/A
- Sandra Willis – Opera Australia
- Sean Radcliffe – Sydney Dance Company
- Simon Abrahams – Melbourne Fringe Festival
- Tamara Jungwirth – Gasworks
2011 Participants
- Alison Beare – Ngeringa Arts Centre
- Callum Moncrieff – N/A
- David Ryding – Melbourne City of Literature
- Anna Cerneaz – Artology / WotOpera
- David Williams – David Williams Projects
- Lisa Dempster – Melbourne Writers Festival
- Dion Hastie – Kurruru Youth Performing Arts
- Kath Melbourne – Legs on the Wall
- Fiona Carter – Corrugated Iron Youth Arts
- Emily Sexton – Wheeler Centre (ex next Wave)
- Kevin du Preez – The Australia Council for the Arts
- Kim McConville – Beyond Empathy Ltd
2010 Participants
- Kristy Rebbeck – Rebbak
- Lenine Bourke – Independent
- Magdalena Moreno – IFACCA
- Louise Oppenheim – Circus Oz
- Melanie Knight – N/A
- Michael Williams – The Wheeler Centre
- Josh Write – Malthouse Theatre
- Nicholas Skibinski – N/A
- Tehmi Sukhla – The Australia Museum
- Ann McLean – N/A
- Venessa Rowsthorn – Melbourne Theatre Company
- Guy Ross – Adelaide Symphony Orchestra
Creative Community Fellows
Creative Australia, formerly the Arts Council, supported two participants to take part in the Creative Community Fellows Program with National Arts Strategies in the United States. The program invited practitioners working in socially-engaged practice to come together, collaborate and develop project ideas in October 2019 and February 2020.
Creative Community Fellows
International Future Leaders Program
2020 participants
Vi Do (VIETNAM) San Art
Radhika Ganesh (INDIA) Ek Potlee Ret Ki
Razcel Jan Salvarita (PHILIPPINES) Creative Community Activist
Nguyen Minh Chau (VIETNAM) Independent Storyteller
Ika Yuliana (INDONESIA) Jatiwangi Art Factory
ISPA Fellowships
ISPA Australia Council Fellowships engaged with ideas, thinkers and leaders from the world’s most significant performing arts organisations over a three-year program.
2020 ISPA Australia Council Fellows
Tristan Meecham, All The Queens Men
Erin Milne, Independent Executive Producer
Louisa Norman, Country Arts South Australia
2020 ISPA Mentors and 2017-19 ISPA Australia Council Fellows
Simon Abrahams, Melbourne Fringe
Ben Graetz, ILBIJERRI Theatre Company
Fiona MacDonald, Imaginary Theatre
Viv Rosman, Polyglot Theatre
Deanna Smart, Dancenorth
Sync Leadership Program
The Sync Leadership Program was delivered in 2014 and 2015 by the Australia Council in partnership with Arts Access Australia, and focused on the interplay between leadership and disability.
2015 Participants
- Emma Barrance
- Sofya Gollan
- Julia Hales
- Kate Hood
- Sarah Houbolt
- Julian Jaensch
- Kirsty Martinsen
- Martin Sawtell
- Eva Sifis
- Lee Witczak
2014 Participants
- Morwenna Collett
- Janelle Colquhoun
- John Flanagan Willanski
- Janice Florence
- Emma J Hawkins
- Belinda Locke
- Liz Martin
- Gaelle Mellis
- Racheal Missingham
- Michelle Ryan
- Sophie Sherriff
- Gaele Sobott
- Emma Bennison
Sync Twilight
This opportunity brings together Sync Leadership alumni from Australia and Canada, to participate in an online Action Learning Project (a form of group coaching).
Designed as an exchange between Deaf, disabled and neurodiverse Sync alumni, the program will facilitate workshops and discussions about what leadership means and should look like for participants.
Applications for this opportunity have closed.
Australian Progress
The Australian Progress Fellowship is a five-month intensive leadership course for advocates, campaigners, activists and changemakers in Australia to create lasting systemic change.
The program offers a suite of tools, tactics, strategies, frameworks and case studies in best practice community organising and senior campaigning to take your skills to the next level and amplify your impact. Participants join four virtual retreats and 12 weekly online seminars delivered with expert speakers sharing winning case studies and national best practice.
Applications for this opportunity have closed.
Past participants
2023
- Carl Scibberas
- Liz Nowell
- William Le
2022
- Anna Weekes
- Tasnim Hossain
- Joshua Lowe
- Sara Strachan
- Bethany Falzon
ASSITEJ Youth Arts Leadership Delegation
ASSITEJ International unites theatres, organisations, and individuals throughout the world who make Theatre & Performing Arts for Children & Young People. The following delegation attended the 2017 World Congress of ASSITEJ International in Cape Town (South Africa)
Chief Executive Program
The following Australian CEOs participated in the National Arts Strategies (NAS) Chief Executive Program in the US.
Caroline Bowditch, Arts Access Victoria
Alice Nash, Back to Back Theatre
Philip Watkins, Desart
Brian Parkes, JamFactory (Brian’s scholarship is in partnership with Arts South Australia).
Milparanga Scholarship
The Australia Council welcomes the next two First Nations arts leaders participating in the Milparanga Australia Council Scholarship, in partnership with the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation.
- Sinsa Mansell, pakana kanaplila
Iarapuna - Zane Saunders, independent artist
Butchilla people
2018
- Marlene Chisholm
Australian Rural Leadership Program
2019
- Elverina Johnson, independent artist, Gurugulu and Indinji Gimuy
2017
- Kathy Burns
- Alysha Herrman
Collaboration Fund
This fund supported alumni from the Arts Leaders, Future Leaders and International Leaders program. Recipients collaborated on projects that contributed to the development of arts leadership in Australia. Activities included artistic, cultural, advocacy or capacity building.
Past participants
2022 alumni
- Cultural Leadership Research project: Matriarchal Leadership in the Digital Space – Annette Vieusseux, Fiona Maxwell (Arts Leaders 2019 alumni) and Kartika Jahja (Future Leaders 2018 alumni)
- Increasing access and inclusion across the NSW music industry – Morwenna Collett and Emily Collins (Arts Leaders 2016 alumni)
- Pace, Place and the Body: Reflecting and Reshaping Leadership – Rani Pramesti (Future Leaders 2017 alumni) and Alana Hunt (Future Leaders 2017 alumni)
2021 alumni
- COUNTER – NARRATIVE – Sally Richardson (Arts Leaders 2019) and Reena Dewan (Arts Leaders 2019 alumni)
- The Aesthetics of Aging – Vikram Iyengar and Sally Blackwood (Arts Leaders 2017 alumni)
- Leadership in Socially-Engaged Practice – Debby Maziarz and Hannah Grant (Creative Community Fellows 2019 alumni)
2019 alumni
- PLAYLIST: Cultural Exchange between PYT Fairfield and Bersama Project – Karen Therese (Arts Leaders 2019 alumni) and Kartika Jahja (Future Leaders 2018 alumni)
- Live Art Curatorial Exchange – Julia Mendel and Rhine Bernadino (Future Leaders 2018 alumni)
- Melbourne and Manila Queer Exchange – Nathan Stoneham and Andrei Nikolia Pamintuan (Future Leaders 2018 alumni)
- Cultural diversity in contemporary Australia on the international stage podcast – Tandi Williams, Simon Abrahams, Morwenna Collett, Kate Eltham, Jade Lillie and Amy Maiden (Arts Leaders 2016 alumni)
2018 alumni
- Cultural diversity in contemporary Australia on the international stage in-person presentation – Tandi Williams, Simon Abrahams, Morwenna Collett, Kate Eltham, Jade Lillie and Amy Maiden (Arts Leaders 2016 alumni)
- Reimagining the arts for young people – Helen Hristofski, Ruchira Das and Mia Maria (Arts Leaders Program 2018 alumni)
- Older than language – Emma Porteus, Nina Miall and Jiva Parthipan (Arts Leaders Program 2018 alumni)
- Darwin and Philippines Collaboration – Anna Weekes and Rhine Bernardino (Future Leaders 2018 alumni)
- Women Leadership Retreat – Anna Reece (Arts Leaders 2016 alumni)
- Stateless – Louise Bezzina, Sally Blackwood (Arts Leaders 2017 alumni), Vanessa Tomlinson and Lawrence English
- Exchanging Soft Power across the Asia Region – Effe Soropos, Melissa Robertson, Ruchira Das, Vikram Iyengar, Menaka Rodriguez (Arts Leaders 2017 alumni)
- Overcoming the geographical obstacles of genuine co-creation and
co-productions – Helen Hristofski, Joanne Kee (Arts Leaders 2017 alumni) and Jay Emmanuel (Future Leaders 2019 alumni) - Survival kit for women arts leaders within the white colonial patriarchy – Alana Hunt, Rani Pramesti, Hannah Kothe, Courtney Tuttle and Natasha Phillips (Future Leaders 2017 alumni)
Steering Committee
The Leadership Program Alumni committee (2020 – 2022) provided a platform for representatives from our alumni network to develop and lead targeted, strategic initiatives and activities in support of the cultural and creative industries.
The Committee played a key role in representing and convening the alumni network to help establish stronger connections across cohort years, and with the wider creative industry nationally and internationally.