A MESSAGE FROM THE BOARD
NEW FESTIVAL DIRECTOR ANNOUNCED FOR 2022
The Board of Sydney Festival are pleased to announce the appointment of a new Festival Director for 2022, Australian curator and producer, Olivia Ansell.
Olivia is a highly accomplished arts professional with over two decades’ experience as a director, choreographer and performing artist. She is set to commence her three-year tenure in November, following two and a half years as Head of Contemporary Performance at Sydney Opera House.
Sydney Opera House CEO, Louise Herron AM affirmed her exceptional contribution: “Olivia has made an outstanding contribution to Sydney Opera House since she began as Head of Contemporary Performance in 2018. Her appointment as Festival Director of Sydney Festival, one of our longstanding partners, is fantastic news and we can't wait to see what exciting programming and experiences she brings to our city."
Sydney Festival is delighted for Olivia to take the artistic reigns as Festival Director in 2022. Having conducted an extensive global search that unearthed a number of high-calibre candidates for the role, it was incredibly pleasing to appoint someone with the breadth of experience that Olivia brings.
We have no doubt that her creative insight and deep passion for Sydney will shape the festival's next evolution in a way that is sure to thrill our audiences.
“I’ve had a long obsession with Sydney’s irresistible charm and with the city’s untold stories, eager to be unleashed,” says Olivia Ansell. “I am beyond thrilled for the chance to collaborate with Sydney’s dynamic cultural, community and tourism sectors, and for the opportunity to create world-class festival experiences that dare the audience to dream.”
This appointment marks our next era with January 2021 due to be the final event under our current Festival Director, Wesley Enoch AM.
“I am so excited to hear of Olivia’s appointment,” Wesley says. “Her commitment to Australian artists makes her exactly the right person at exactly the right time steering Sydney Festival to remain the festival of Sydney and Australia’s largest commissioner of new Australian works. Olivia is passionate, whip smart and has an eye for finding the popular, the adventurous and the stories we need to hear.”
David Kirk MBE
Chair, Sydney Festival Board