CARRIAGEWORKS COMMENCES SEARCH FOR NEW DIRECTOR | MEDIA RELEASE 8 Nov 2018

Carriageworks today accepted the resignation of Lisa Havilah from the role of Director. Lisa has today been appointed by the NSW government as CEO of the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences (MAAS) commencing 7 January 2019.

Chair of Carriageworks, Sam Mostyn, said: ‘It is with mixed emotions that we farewell Lisa Havilah from Carriageworks.  We are disappointed to be losing her but delighted she is moving to lead another of NSW’s most significant cultural institutions.

‘For the past 8 years, we have had the great fortune to have Lisa lead this dynamic, important and ground-breaking contemporary arts and performance space in Sydney’s North Eveleigh.

‘In her time at the helm, Lisa has transformed the Carriageworks precinct into one of the most significant arts and culture sites in the country. She has taken visitation numbers from 110,000 in 2010, to 1.32m in 2017.  She has brought to Sydney important international contemporary artists such as Katharina Grosse, Christian Boltanski, Zhang Huan and Ryoji Ikeda; worked to celebrate and house many local arts and performance organisations; and supported new works from Indigenous artists and companies.

‘Last year alone Carriageworks commissioned and presented more than 90 major arts projects supporting over 800 artists, as part of a program that engaged with 1.327 million people. She has secured partnerships with major cultural events including Sydney Festival, Vivid Sydney, Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Australia and Sydney Contemporary and expanded Carriageworks programs to include major food events that have brought together chefs and producers from around Australia. Importantly, together with the Board, Lisa has pioneered a model of using commercial returns from the precinct to support 75% of the Artistic Programs at a Carriageworks.

Lisa leaves Carriageworks with an enormous legacy – a strong financial position, an international reputation, respect from artists and arts companies and dedicated team of people. On behalf of the Carriageworks Board, I thank her for the enormous contribution she has made to the creation of such an outstanding and sustainable organisation. We will miss her indefatigable energy, imagination, and courage, but wish her the very best as she takes on her new role at MAAS,’ said Mostyn.

The Carriageworks Board has now commenced a national and international search for the next leader of Carriageworks.

‘With Carriageworks’ growth in recent years, a strong strategy for a vibrant future, the Board believes we have now become a significant arts institution where innovative, brilliant arts leaders want to be. We are excited by the prospect of discovering the next extraordinary leader of Carriageworks, who will be able to take this important organisation to the next level of its potential.  We have great confidence in the team at Carriageworks and will be working with them as we transition to a new leader, said Mostyn.

Lisa Havilah said: ‘I am incredibly proud of what I, the Board and staff at Carriageworks have achieved together over the past eight years, creating what has become the fastest growing cultural precinct in Australia. I’m confident to be leaving Carriageworks in the strongest position of its history. I will work closely with the Board and staff at both Carriageworks to ensure a smooth transition phase.’

‘Carriageworks has an exciting year ahead, including a major partnership with Sydney Festival, the second edition of The National presented in partnership with the MCA and Art Gallery of NSW and our most ambitious project delivered to date by American visual artist Nick Cave,’ said Mostyn.