New appointments have been made to the Adelaide Festival Board, as well as the reappointment of key members who were instrumental in supporting the organisation to deliver the successful 2026 Adelaide Festival earlier this year.
Judy Potter will continue as Chair of the Adelaide Festival Board until 30 June 2027. Judy has extensive leadership experience in the arts, notably as Chief Executive of Carclew Youth Arts Centre, and as previous Chair of the Adelaide Festival Board from 2016 to 2023.
Rob Brookman AM, Jane Doyle OAM and John Irving AM will also remain on the Board until 30 June 2027, providing continuity and their wealth of knowledge of the arts to the festival.
Tam Nguyen will also remain on the Board for a three-year term, until 30 June 2029. Tam is a curator and producer with experience in festivals and film, and currently sits on the board of WOMADelaide and is a peer assessor for Creative Australia.
Councillor Carmel Noon of the City of Adelaide will be joining the Board for the first time as the City of Adelaide's nominated member, until 30 January 2027. Councillor Noon has significant board and governance experience, including with the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Adelaide Central Market Authority Board and the Australia Day Council.
Also joining the Board for the first time are Daniel Browning and Shaun Westcott.
Daniel is an award-winning Bundjalung and Kullilli writer, journalist, broadcaster and artist, who has served on the Boards of the Byron Bay Writer's Festival, Red Room Poetry, and the Sharing Stories Foundation, and is currently Professor of Indigenous Cultural and Creative Industries at the University of Sydney.
Shaun has substantial board and executive experience including as President, Chairman, CEO and Director of Mitsubishi Motors Australia, and Deputy Chairman of the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries.
The skills and experience of the Board across the arts, festivals, and governance will be invaluable for the Adelaide Festival through 2027 and beyond.
The newly appointed Board will continue to lead the organisation, building on the success of the 2026 Festival, achieved through the Board's strong leadership and strategic direction, which saw the Festival once again deliver a world-class event.
The program included a strong international component, with visiting companies from more than 15 countries alongside a number of world and Australian premieres. 44 events were presented, with works including 8 World Premieres, 14 Australian Premieres and 21 events exclusive to Adelaide Festival.
The 2026 Adelaide Festival showcased more than 100 performances featuring more than 700 artists and utilising 20 different South Australian venues and performance spaces.
As put by 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.
I congratulate all on their appointments, and look forward to working closely with the Board over the coming months and years to continue to bring this remarkable event to South Australian, interstate and overseas audiences.
As put by Chair of the Adelaide Festival Board, Judy Potter
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.
