Brisbane Festival Artistic Director Louise Bezzina is the new CEO of Brisbane Powerhouse.
Brisbane Powerhouse Chair Valmay Hill said Ms Bezzina, who will also be the venue’s Artistic Director, had been at the forefront of cultural innovation, delivering world-class events and experiences for Queensland audiences and making a significant impact on the industry.
Ms Hill said she founded the Gold Coast Bleach Festival as the Artistic Director and CEO, was a Co-Creative Lead of the 2018 Commonwealth Games Cultural Program and had been in her current role since 2019.
“She will take up the new role in October after delivering her sixth Brisbane Festival, transforming the festival into Australia’s largest international arts festival through audience engagement.”
Brisbane’s Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said Ms Bezzina was a proven performer and leader in Queensland’s arts sector.
“Brisbane has incredible vibrant precincts such as Brisbane Powerhouse and I welcome Louise’s appointment to the role of CEO/Artistic Director at this iconic venue,” Lord Mayor Schrinner said.
“Brisbane Powerhouse hosts more than 1500 performances and welcomes more than one million people each year and is a much-loved destination for both residents and visitors.”
Ms Bezzina said Brisbane was Australia’s lifestyle capital and precincts like Brisbane Powerhouse had helped shape the city.
“I remember attending the official opening of the Brisbane Powerhouse as a theatre student. I have so many fond memories attending shows, creating shows in my early years as a performer and now curating a program as part of the Brisbane Festival.
“Brisbane Powerhouse is an iconic Brisbane venue. It is very special to me as I know it is to residents and visitors,” she said.
Ms Hill said current CEO Kate Gould would depart at the end of June, with Brisbane Powerhouse Director of Programming Phoebe Meredith acting in the role until Ms Bezzina commences.
“Kate Gould has done an outstanding job in this role, championing extraordinary projects with incredible vision, from expanding the Brisbane Powerhouse precinct to include Vertigo and Dendy Powerhouse Outdoor Cinema, to delivering Night Feast and a city-wide celebration of Queer art and culture, Melt Festival,” she said.
