New Artistic Director appointed for Adelaide Festival

The organisers of the Adelaide Festiva have announced that English arts 'powerhouse' Ruth Mackenzie is to take over at the event’s new Artistic Director.

Mackenzie, whose previous appointments include roles with the Holland Festival and London Olympics, will replace current Festival co-Directors Rachel Healy and Neil Armfield who will leave their positions after more than five years of leading the event during which time it has recorded ever stronger financial performance.

The earlier than planned handover, set for the middle of the year, is attributed to the pressures of COVID, other work opportunities and health concerns.

Healy and Armfield were appointed as co-Artistic Directors in 2015, taking over from David Sefton and overseeing the event from 2017 onwards.

While it has been rewarding work, Healy said bringing together programs through the COVID years had been tough, telling the ABC “it was nightmarish, this last year in particular has been the hardest for both of our working lives.

"It was just the constant uncertainty, the endlessly changing situations.

"Neil's got a few health issues in the background and I don't think it would be a surprise to anybody that the last two years, of the seven we've been with the Festival, have been unrelentingly intense."

With 80% of the major events already either confirmed or well advanced for the 2023 Festival, Healy advised that there was an extraordinary backlog of international projects that couldn't be previously programmed due to the pandemic.

She added “there's a vast number that we are still really passionate about, some of which we've actually co-commissioned that are sitting there and from companies that are committed to coming to Adelaide in 2023.”

Festival Chair Judy Potter has paid tribute to Healy and Armfield, saying they were owed "a huge debt of gratitude for their uncompromising artistic vision” adding “(which has) gathered tens of thousands of supporters across Australia and created hundreds of jobs for artists and arts workers.”

Mackenzie has more than 40 years of experience in the international arts world during which time she has been Director of the Holland Festival and Manchester International Festival, as well as being in charge of the cultural program for the 2012 London Olympics.

She was also sacked by the renowned Chatelet Theatre in Paris in 2020 for reasons that are still unclear.

Currently a Consultant Artistic Director for the Mayor of London, she plans to be in Australia by mid-year, once a visa has been approved.

Looking forward to her new role , she commented "I have always admired enormously the Adelaide Festival, it has been brilliant at introducing outstanding talent who have grown into world stars

"There is no better place to show how vital, innovative, inspiring, collaborative and responsible the arts can be than in Adelaide."

Mackenzie will take over stewardship of the 2023 Adelaide Festival, before programming the 2024, 2025 and 2026 events.

Image: Incoming Adelaide Festival Director Ruth Mackenzie. Credit: Joe Short.