The Australia Council has announced the next cohort of participants in its flagship Arts Leaders and Future Leaders programs.

The 20 participants of the Arts Leaders program will embark on a 12 month journey of leadership activities aimed at further embedding strong leadership across the artforms.

This collaborative program will take these mid-career, established artists and arts workers to regional locations across Australia and to Indonesia for intensive residentials. The leaders will take part in workshops and virtual meetings, delving into the critical issues impacting the arts globally.

A further 20 participants will take part in the Future Leaders program, which caters to high potential emerging arts leaders. This six month program includes residentials, workshops, peer-to-peer engagement and the chance to participate in a secondment program.

Australia Council Director Capacity Building Kevin du Preez said it was crucial to invest in strong arts leaders and to ready them for the future.

“At the heart of the program design is an understanding that our sector is already rich in knowledge and capability, and that artists and arts leaders learn and evolve through sharing stories and experiences,” he said.

“Over the years Australia Council programs such as these have substantially benefited the sector and the career of individual leaders. The programs continue to contribute to the future of the sector as whole, whilst providing pivotal professional development for the successful participants.”

The 40 Australian leaders will be joined in 2019 by 10 international arts leaders, as part of the Australia Council’s International Leadership Program, offered in partnership with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). The international participants will be announced at a later date.

Arts Leaders – 2019

Alexandra Adsett (QLD) Alex Adsett Publishing Services

Michael Barlow (WA) Spare Parts Puppet Theatre

Este Darin-Cooper (NSW) Creative Partnerships Australia

Kathryn Gray  (NSW) Independent

Anne-Marie Heath (NSW) The Arts House Wyong

Philip Heuzenroeder (VIC) Wild At Heart

Edwina Johnson (NSW) Byron Writers Festival

Jennifer Kerr (VIC) Melbourne International Jazz Festival

Peter Knight (VIC) Australian Art Orchestra

James Lockyer (VIC) Arts Centre Melbourne

Anne Loxley (NSW) c3West/MCA

Fiona Maxwell (QLD) Brisbane Powerhouse

Kylie McRae (VIC) Chamber Made

Lachlan Philpott (NSW) Playwriting Australia

Nicholas Pickard (NSW) APRA AMCOS

Sally Richardson (WA) Steamworks

Eira Swaine (SA) Australian Dance Theatre

Karen Therese (NSW) PYT Fairfield

Colette Vella (NSW) Musica Viva Australia

Annette Vieusseux (VIC) Lucy Guerin Inc

Future Leaders – 2019

Tahlia Azaria  (VIC) Circus Oz

Annie Bourke (VIC) Malthouse Theatre

Caine Chennatt (WA) UWA Cultural Precinct

Amber Cronin  (SA) Independent

Meredith Dellar (NT) Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory

Bethany Falzon (NSW) Northern Beaches Council

Ciaran Frame (NSW) Independent

Nuala Furtado (NSW) PACT

Hannah Grace (NT) Desart

Penelope Grist (ACT) National Portrait Gallery

Grace Herbert (TAS) Independent

Joshua Lowe (TAS) DRILL/ Yellow Wheel

Jay Emmanuel (WA) St George’s Dance and Theatre

John Quertermous (NSW) Opera Australia

Daniel Santangeli  (VIC) Midsumma Festival

Patrice Sharkey (VIC) West Space

Autumn Skuthorpe  (QLD) Crossroad Arts

Christina Taylor (VIC) Independent

Justin Wolfers (NSW) The Lifted Brow / Allen & Unwin

Tamara Zimet (NSW) Sydney Writers’ Festival

Learn more about the Leadership Program.