Richard Watts

Melbourne

Arts journo. 3RRR broadcaster. Hibernophile. Antifascist. Godless sodomite (versatile). Pink Magpies/Collingwood Pride founder. On Wurundjeri Country. OAM.

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Articles

Darwin Festival 2025: collective visions, creative collaborations and musical treats

4 days ago | artshub.com.au | Richard Watts

The 2025 Darwin Festival – its 46th edition – features eight world premieres, five of which are Indigenous cultural performances, as well as a strong line-up of live music programming and a carefully curated range of critically acclaimed productions from interstate. Darwin Festival Artistic Director Kate Fell says this year’s program is designed to inspire and entertain, with the record number of venues taking part – 50 in all – reflecting the vibrancy, beauty and spirit of Darwin.
More than an orchestra: the institution that’s nurturing Australia’s next generation of classical musicians

4 days ago | artshub.com.au | Richard Watts

The Australian Youth Orchestra (AYO) is one most prestigious and innovative training organisations for young, pre-professional musicians in the world – from gifted secondary school students to those on the verge of a professional career.
On the move: latest art sector appointments

4 days ago | artshub.com.au | Richard Watts

The Darwin Symphony Orchestra (DSO) has appointed Richard Mills AO as its next Artistic Director/Chief Conductor. Mills is one of Australia’s most experienced and respected arts leaders following tenures as Artistic Director of Victorian Opera, West Australian Opera, Adelaide Chamber Orchestra, Director of the Australian Music Project for the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra and Musica Viva’s Composer of the Year.
Yitpi Yartapuultiku: the soul of Port Adelaide is ready to open its doors

1 week ago | artshub.com.au | Richard Watts

A $35 million Aboriginal Cultural Centre developed in consultation with local custodians of Country will officially open in Port Adelaide on Sunday 1 June. Named Yitpi Yartapuultiku (‘the Soul of Port Adelaide’) in the Kaurna language, the Centre is situated on the banks of the Port River and was developed in collaboration with Kaurna Custodians and the Yitpi Yartapuultiku Aboriginal Working Group, the City of Port Adelaide Enfield (PAE), Ashley Halliday Architects and WAX Design.
On the move: Latest arts sector appointments

3 weeks ago | artshub.com.au | Richard Watts

Adelaide Fringe has announced the appointment of Emily Farrell to its Board of Directors. Farrell brings a globally informed perspective to Adelaide Fringe, shaped by her career in law, industrial relations, government relations, and public policy in Australia and the United States. After earning a Bachelor of Law from the University of Adelaide, she relocated to New York, where she worked for six years in nonprofit legal advocacy and at a leading U.S. immigration law firm.
So you want my arts job: Alison Neville, Director, Spiegeltents Australia

3 weeks ago | artshub.com.au | Richard Watts

Alison Neville grew up in Albury, on the border of New South Wales and Victoria – also known as the home of the Flying Fruit Fly Circus. It was there that her passion for circus began. At 16, she shifted focus to technical production. Through HotHouse Theatre she earned a Certificate IV in Live Production, Theatre and Events under the mentorship of renowned lighting designer and operations manager, Rob Scott.
Peak bodies welcome re-elected Albanese Government and call for greater commitment to live music and visual arts sectors

1 month ago | artshub.com.au | Richard Watts

The National Association for the Visual Arts (NAVA) and Vote Music 2025, a collective of 20 contemporary music organisations (the members of which include the Australian Festival Association (AFA), the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Music Office (NATSIMO) and youth organisation The Push) have welcomed the re-election of the Albanese Government and its renewed commitment to the national cultural policy, Revive.
Timothy Jones: What I’ve learned after 16 years at the Seymour Centre

1 month ago | artshub.com.au | Richard Watts

At the end of this week, Timothy ‘Tim’ Jones leaves the Seymour Centre at the University of Sydney, where he has served as Artistic Director and General Manager since January 2009. His 16-year tenure at the multi-venue Seymour Centre has ensured the institution is an essential part of Sydney’s cultural landscape.
On the move: latest arts sector appointments

1 month ago | artshub.com.au | Richard Watts

Brisbane Powerhouse has appointed Louise Bezzina – currently the Artistic Director of Brisbane Festival – as its new CEO/Artistic Director. Bezzina founded the Gold Coast’s highly successful Bleach Festival in 2012 and was its inaugural Artistic Director and CEO; she was a co-Creative Lead of the 2018 Commonwealth Games Cultural Program and became the Artistic Director of Brisbane Festival in 2019.
Labor and Greens commit to supporting ANAM redevelopment

1 month ago | artshub.com.au | Richard Watts

In late March, the Australian Greens announced they would push for a $12.5 million investment to help complete structural building works at South Melbourne Town Hall, so that the Australian National Academy of Music (ANAM) could move back into its former home. “Music is so important.