Australia's arts sector is experiencing significant leadership transitions with major appointments across ballet companies, cultural institutions, and government arts councils. These changes include new artistic directors, board members, and strategic leaders who will shape the future of Australian arts organizations.
Multicultural Arts Victoria (MAV) recently concluded Lauren Mullings' tenure as CEO, marking the end of a transformative leadership period. During her time at MAV, Mullings successfully established a new partnership with Melbourne Polytechnic Preston and laid the groundwork for Retrospection, the organization's 50-year legacy program. Her leadership also resulted in comprehensive statewide community consultations that informed the groundbreaking Beyond Tokenism report, secured substantial multi-year funding for the upcoming Powered By program, and obtained financing for NEWPRINT, MAV's flagship initiative supporting emerging producers and culturally diverse musicians throughout Victoria.
A MAV spokesperson expressed deep gratitude for Mullings' vision, advocacy, and unwavering commitment to the artists, team, and communities the organization serves. To ensure a smooth transition, Daizy Maan has assumed the role of Acting CEO, bringing what the organization describes as warmth, purpose-driven leadership, and a profound belief in the power of creativity and community. The spokesperson emphasized that MAV's core mission remains unchanged during this transition period: championing diverse voices, artistic excellence, and cultural equity.
Following MAV's 2025 Annual General Meeting, the organization announced several board changes. New board members include Hiten Bawa, a multidisciplinary artist specializing in arts access and inclusion; Mariana Papaioannou, a media producer and photographer; and Tienyi Long, a legal professional and Board Secretary with expertise in governance and nonprofit law. The board also reappointed Linda Catalano as Chair and Patrizia Fimiani, creating a collective leadership team with extensive knowledge across arts, media, governance, accessibility, and community engagement.
West Australian Ballet has appointed Leanne Stojmenov as its next Artistic Director in what represents a full-circle moment for the former dancer. Stojmenov's career began with the company when she was just 17 years old, growing up in Perth before embarking on an illustrious 18-year career with The Australian Ballet. During her time with the national company, she spent eight years as Principal Artist, performing leading roles on stages around the world. After retiring from performing, Stojmenov returned to Perth and joined West Australian Ballet in 2024 as Rehearsal Director, bringing her extensive experience back to the company that originally nurtured her early talent.
Expressing her enthusiasm for the appointment, Stojmenov stated, "As a proud West Australian, it's an honor to lead this extraordinary company where my journey first began. I look forward to working alongside Executive Director Lauren Major and sharing this next chapter with our incredible artists and audiences across Western Australia and beyond." Board Chair Ingrid Puzey described the appointment as a historic and exciting moment for West Australian Ballet, particularly as the company approaches its 75th anniversary in 2027, reflecting on its rich history as Australia's oldest continuous ballet company that strives to support, foster, and showcase West Australian people and talent.
Stojmenov's selection followed an extensive international search that attracted 38 applicants, including 18 from overseas and 20 from Australia. Throughout her career, she has collaborated with renowned choreographers including Christopher Wheeldon, John Neumeier, Wayne McGregor, and Sir Peter Wright. Her exceptional talent was recognized with a coveted Australian Dance Award for her performance in Ratmansky's Cinderella. She will officially step into her new position in January 2026.
The Albanese Labor Government has made strategic appointments to the boards of several cherished national collecting institutions. The Hon Hieu Van Le AC has been appointed as Chair of the Australian National Maritime Museum Council for a three-year term. Le, who currently serves as Chair and Director of the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, brings extraordinary experience including his service as Governor of South Australia from 2014 to 2021, Lieutenant Governor from 2007 to 2014, and Chair of the South Australian Multicultural and Ethnic Affairs Commission from 2007 to 2014. He also had an almost two-decade career with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) after arriving in Australia from Vietnam as a refugee in 1977.
Le's distinguished service has been recognized with numerous awards, including the Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) for outstanding service to the community and South Australia, Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for outstanding service to community and social inclusion, the Centenary of Federation Medal for advancing multiculturalism, an Australia Day Medal for outstanding service to ASIC, and a Cavalieri (Knight) of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic for his support to culturally and linguistically diverse communities in South Australia, including the Italian community.
Additional government appointments include Amit Singh as a part-time member of the Council of the National Museum of Australia for three years. Singh serves as Managing Partner of Mandala, an economics, strategy, and research advisory firm focused on public policy innovation, data insights, and technology trends. His impressive background includes serving as Managing Director in Accenture's global economic insights practice, global head of economic policy at Uber Technologies Inc., and senior economic adviser to two Prime Ministers, a Deputy Prime Minister, and a Leader of the Opposition. He began his career as a mergers and acquisitions lawyer and currently serves on multiple advisory boards.
Matt Heine has been appointed as a part-time member of the Council of the National Gallery of Australia for three years. As Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of netwealth group (ASX: NWL), Heine brings accomplished business leadership skills in wealth management, leadership, business strategy, and digital innovation. He demonstrates strong commitment to arts and philanthropy, currently serving on the Board of the Heide Museum of Modern Art and as a member of the National Gallery Foundation.
Marikit Santiago has been appointed as a part-time member of the National Portrait Gallery Board for three years. Santiago, a Filipina-Australian artist living and working in Western Sydney, graduated with a Master of Fine Art from the University of New South Wales in 2017 and served on the Art Gallery of New South Wales Advisory Committee from 2022 to 2023. Her work, which reflects her upbringing with migrant parents in Australia, has been exhibited in various art spaces domestically and internationally. She has received numerous awards including the 2020 Sir John Sulman Prize and the 2024 La Prairie Arts Award, and was selected as an Archibald Prize finalist in 2016, 2021, and 2023.
Minister for the Arts Tony Burke MP emphasized that each appointee brings valuable, unique perspectives and years of dedication to Australia's treasured national museums and galleries. "Each new appointee is an expert in their own right, bringing a wealth of knowledge, experience and expertise in their dedicated fields," Burke stated. "Ensuring our beloved cultural institutions have the strongest leadership is the best way to safeguard them for future generations."
Creative Australia has announced the appointment of Wenona Byrne to lead Writing Australia. Adrian Collette AM, CEO of Creative Australia, noted that Byrne has served as Head of Literature at Creative Australia since 2017, with responsibility for strategic initiatives supporting the literary sector and grant programs. Before joining Creative Australia, she worked in publishing for 11 years and has experience as a writer/director in film and television, as well as freelance feature writing.
Larissa Behrendt AO, Chair of Writing Australia, praised the appointment, stating that Byrne "could not be better placed to lead the work of Writing Australia and champion Australian literature. She is a respected leader with extensive networks and in-depth knowledge of both national and global publishing markets." Byrne expressed honor at stepping into the role and looks forward to working with the Writing Australia Council in creating the first investment strategy for Australian writing, supporting the dynamic and resilient literature sector.
The Albanese Labor Government has also announced appointments to the Music Australia Council, including the re-appointment of Danielle Caruana and Dr Sophie Payten, along with new appointments of Josh Pyke and Leah Flanagan for two-year terms. These appointments ensure strong industry representation to advance Creative Australia's work and implement the National Cultural Policy, Revive. The Music Australia Council provides strategic direction for supporting and growing Australia's contemporary music sector.
Danielle Caruana, also known as Mama Kin, is an award-winning singer-songwriter and touring artist who co-founded The Seed Fund, a philanthropic foundation supporting artists. She is also a published author who has devoted time to working with incarcerated women, performance studies students, and emerging artists. Dr Sophie Payten, professionally known as Gordi, is an Australian indie folk singer-songwriter and medical doctor who signed with Jagjaguwar in the United States and Liberation Music in Australia in 2016.
Josh Pyke brings experience as an Australian singer-songwriter, producer, musician, and children's book author. He serves as Director of Josh Pyke Touring and Chair of Phonographic Performance Company of Australia. Leah Flanagan, an Australian singer-songwriter and arts administrator from Darwin, has released several albums and toured Australia as part of festival ensembles. Music Australia is supported by more than $69 million in Federal funding over four years, demonstrating the government's commitment to the sector's growth and development.
