The past few months has seen the sudden departure of leadership from some of the country’s most prestigious artistic companies: the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Queensland Ballet, Queensland Theatre, Opera Australia and the Adelaide Festival. These women cited various reasons for leaving, from job opportunities in government , to funding issues , to disagreements with artists and the board . It certainly seems like a difficult time for arts organisations and their boards.
Australia’s arts and cultural sector has suffered decades of ongoing funding cuts and, until recently, lack of policy direction . Now, the cost of living crisis means participation in arts and culture is seen as a luxury . Boards and companies become more risk-averse within these tightened financial constraints.
This may be behind the departure of Leanne Benjamin from Queensland Ballet in July. Her appointment as artistic director only six months prior was celebrated as a “ perfect fit ”. She described her reasons for her shock exit as: Ultimately, as we have worked together to design a vibrant season for 2025, it has become very clear that my artistic aspirations for our company [.
..] is not immediately possible within the funding constraints faced by the company.
Jo Davies was Opera Australia’s first female artistic director, coming on board in December 2022. By August 2024, she described : a real difference of opinion on how [Opera Australia] should balance its artistic ambitions with its comme.