Image: Adelaide Festival by Morgan Sette
Fresh appointments and key reappointments have been announced for the Adelaide Festival Board, bringing together a mix of arts, cultural and business expertise to help guide one of South Australia’s most celebrated events into its next chapter.
The changes come on the back of a successful 2026 Adelaide Festival, which welcomed more than 700 artists, presented 44 events, and delivered a program featuring eight world premieres, 14 Australian premieres and 21 Adelaide-exclusive performances.
Leading the board will be returning Chair Judy Potter, who has been reappointed until June 2027. Judy brings extensive arts leadership experience, including her time as Chief Executive of Carclew Youth Arts Centre and previous tenure as Chair of the Adelaide Festival Board between 2016 and 2023.
Joining her in continuing their roles are long-serving board members Rob Brookman AM, Jane Doyle OAM and John Irving AM, all reappointed until June 2027.
Festival curator and producer Tam Nguyen has also been reappointed for a further three-year term through to 2029. Tam is well known within Australia’s arts sector through his work across festivals and film, as well as his current roles with WOMADelaide and Creative Australia.
Several new faces will join the board as Adelaide Festival looks toward its 2027 program.
Among them is Councillor Carmel Noon, who joins as the City of Adelaide’s nominated representative. Carmel brings significant governance experience through her work with the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Adelaide Central Market Authority Board and the Australia Day Council.
Also appointed are award-winning Bundjalung and Kullilli writer, broadcaster and academic Daniel Browning, and former Mitsubishi Motors Australia president and CEO Shaun Westcott.
Daniel is widely recognised for his contributions to Australia’s arts and cultural landscape, having served on the boards of several major creative organisations and currently holding a professorship in Indigenous Cultural and Creative Industries at the University of Sydney.
Shaun brings decades of executive and boardroom experience from the automotive and manufacturing sectors, adding a strong commercial and strategic perspective to the festival’s leadership.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Arts Kyam Maher, “The Adelaide Festival is an event of national and international significance, and the State Government is committed to supporting its success into the future.
“I am pleased to announce the appointments for the Board, who collectively bring a wealth of knowledge and experience across sectors and areas of specialisation that are critical to the delivery of our treasured Adelaide Festival.”
Chair Judy Potter said, “The Adelaide Festival is a cherished South Australian institute, and it is a privilege to be reappointed as Chair of the Adelaide Festival Board for another year.
“I congratulate the new appointees, and the Board and I look forward to working with artists and stakeholders to deliver an outstanding 2027 Adelaide Festival.”
The refreshed board will now turn its attention to delivering the 2027 Adelaide Festival, building on the momentum of a 2026 event that once again reinforced Adelaide’s reputation as one of the world’s great festival cities.
