One of Sydney’s leading arts figures is heading west to join the Perth International Arts Festival as executive director.
One of Sydney’s leading arts figures is heading west to join the Perth International Arts Festival as executive director.
Piaf chair John Barrington today announced the appointment of Nathan Bennett to the role for a five-year term.
Mr Bennett is currently the deputy executive director at Sydney’s Belvoir St Theatre.
He will start in his new role early next year and work alongside outgoing executive director Philip Rolfe throughout the 2017 festival.
Mr Rolfe was appointed to the position in May on an interim basis.
“Nathan represents the next generation of artistic management leaders in Australia,” Mr Barrington said.
“He brings a wealth of experience as an arts leader with a strong focus on external partnerships and working with the community.
“His appointment will further strengthen a great Piaf team as they realise the bold creative vision of artistic director Wendy Martin in connecting with Western Australian audiences for the upcoming 2017 festival and beyond.”
Mr Bennett has worked with leading art companies in Australia and overseas for more than 15 years and has had exposure to senior management, audience engagement, marketing, corporate partnerships, private philanthropy and new technology in the arts.
He previously worked as general manager at Griffin Theatre Company (Sydney) and as company manager at Australia’s national theatre company, Bell Shakespeare.
He has also spent time in the United States with Philadelphia’s Pig Iron Theatre Company as director of development.
Mr Bennett said he was honoured to be given the opportunity to lead Australia’s longest-running multi-arts festival and was looking forward to working alongside the festival team to present a diverse, challenging and uniquely WA program.
The full festival program will commence on February 10 and run till March 5 across Perth and the Great Southern, with Lotterywest Festival Films opening at the end of this month.