Creative Australia acknowledges the passing of Dr Catherine Brown-Watt PSM, a visionary leader and stalwart advocate for the Australian arts community.

Dr. Brown-Watt held various roles with the Australia Council (now Creative Australia) culminating in her position as the Executive Director of Major Performing Arts and later, Executive Director of Governance and Public Affairs.

In 1999, Dr. Brown-Watt was seconded to the Australian Government’s Major Performing Arts Inquiry, where her groundbreaking work on the Nugent Report led to significant reforms in Commonwealth and state funding for Australia’s major performing arts companies. In 2003, she received a Public Service Medal (PSM) acknowledging her outstanding contribution to developing policy and strategic change within the Australian performing arts sector.

Dr. Brown-Watt was trained in music and dance, and held various roles across academia and the arts, including senior roles with the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA), the ABC’s Concert Music division and the Australian Music Centre.

Creative Australia CEO Adrian Collette AM said:

“Cathy was a respected and visionary leader. whose work laid the foundation for how we support national performing arts organisations today. Her diverse experience and keen intelligence made her a respected figure across the arts community, where she was known as both a leader and mentor. Our thoughts are with her family, friends and all those who had the privilege of working with her. She will be greatly missed.”