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Overview: about the agency

A photo taken from the riverbank of Adelaide Festival Centre, with a view of surrounding buildings in the background.


Our strategic focus

Our Purpose

To entertain, engage, educate and inspire

Our Vision

To be the arts and entertainment heart of the festival state

Our Values

To be a national and international cultural leader and collaborator

Our Functions, Objectives and Deliverables

  • To be a local and international cultural leader and trusted partner.
  • Deliver a balanced program of performing arts, exhibitions, education programs, commercial product, and cultural activity across all Adelaide Festival Centre venues, reflective of the diverse communities we serve. “Arts for All”.
  • Grow audiences by delivering excellent customer experiences, building our brand and reputation, and being responsive to a changing media and consumer landscape.
  • Provide technically well-provisioned, safe, sustainable, and accessible venues and spaces.
  • Maintain and grow a positive organisational culture built on collaboration and creativity.
  • Consolidate and increase philanthropic and sponsorship support.
  • Build financial, IT, administrative and entrepreneurial capacity to respond to change and embrace opportunity. entrepreneurial capacity to respond to change and embrace opportunity.

Our organisational structure

Current Board Members and Terms 

  • The Hon Karlene Maywald (appointed Chair April 2024)
    Term: 18/04/2024 to 17/04/2027
  • The Hon Hieu Van Le AC – Former Chair
    Term: 09/09/2021 to 22/02/2024
  • Jacqui McGill AO – Former Deputy Chair
    Term: 25/03/2021 to 24/03/2024
  • Bruce Carter AO (appointed Deputy Chair June 2024)
    Term: 21/01/2022 to 20/01/2025
  • Maggie Zhou
    Term: 21/04/2019 to 20/04/2022 and 19/05/2022 to 18/05/2024
  • Steven Woolhouse
    Term: 29/10/2020 to 31/08/2023
  • Dr Katherine Tamiko Arguile
    Term: 27/10/2022 to 26/10/2025
  • Councillor Phillip Martin
    Term: 06/04/2023 to 05/04/2026
  • Penny Griggs
    Term: 25/08/2023 to 24/08/2026
  • Michael Abbott AO KC
    Term: 07/12/2023 to 06/12/2026
  • Alexandrea Cannon OAM
    Term: 18/04/2024 to 17/04/2027

Changes to the agency

During 2023-24 there were no changes to the Adelaide Festival Centre Trust’s structure or objectives.

Our Minister (s)

The Hon. Andrea Michaels MP is the Minister for Arts.

Our Executive team

  • CEO & Artistic Director - Douglas Gautier AM
  • Chief Operating Officer & Chief Financial Officer - Steven Woolhouse
  • Head of Marketing - Renato Capoccia
  • Head of Customer Experience - Heather Poole
  • Head of Technical and Production - Nathan Luscombe
  • Head of Programming - Commercial - Alex Sinclair
  • Head of Programming - Public Purpose - Susannah Sweeney
  • Head of Public Affairs - Christie Anthoney
  • Director, Philanthropy - Abbie Taylor

Legislation administered by the agency

Adelaide Festival Centre Trust Act 1971

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