Festival role an encore for Jacobs

THE long-time chief executive of the Arts Centre, Tim Jacobs, has decided to come out of his short-lived retirement to become the executive director of the Melbourne International Arts Festival.

By InvestSMART · 31 Mar 2011

By InvestSMART ·
31 Mar 2011

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THE long-time chief executive of the Arts Centre, Tim Jacobs, has decided to come out of his short-lived retirement to become the executive director of the Melbourne International Arts Festival.

Jacobs has been a key player in the Australian arts scene for more than 25 years and was at the Arts Centre for 11 years before retiring in November 2009.

He worked closely with the then Arts Centre board chairman, Carrillo Gantner, to get government support for the $128.5 million renovation, now under way, of Hamer Hall.

Gantner, now festival chairman, asked Jacobs to fill in as CEO when Vivia Hickman left in December after the board decided to restructure the organisation, with the new executive director to concentrate on income generation and relations with government.

Jacobs was director of Arts Victoria for four years from 1995, followed by a term as the Sydney Opera House's chief executive before becoming the Arts Centre's CEO.

Gantner says Jacobs had no intention of returning to a full-time position until learning of the temporary position on offer.

"His experience and skills will be great assets," Gantner says. "The board has bold ambitions for the development of the festival, and with Tim as co-chief executive with artistic director Brett Sheehy, we are now ready to launch into a new era."

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Frequently Asked Questions about this Article…

Who is Tim Jacobs and why is his appointment to the Melbourne International Arts Festival newsworthy?

Tim Jacobs is a long‑time Australian arts executive who spent 11 years as CEO of the Arts Centre and retired in November 2009. He has come out of a short‑lived retirement to become the executive director (co‑chief executive) of the Melbourne International Arts Festival, bringing decades of sector experience to the role.

What will Tim Jacobs' role as executive director of the Melbourne International Arts Festival involve?

Jacobs will serve as executive director and co‑chief executive alongside artistic director Brett Sheehy. The board expects the new executive director to concentrate on income generation and relations with government while working with the artistic leadership to drive the festival forward.

Why did festival chairman Carrillo Gantner ask Tim Jacobs to take the job?

Festival chairman Carrillo Gantner invited Jacobs to fill in after Vivia Hickman left following a board restructuring. Gantner cited Jacobs' extensive experience and skills as valuable assets to help the board deliver its ambitious development plans for the festival.

What relevant experience does Tim Jacobs bring to the festival leadership?

Jacobs was director of Arts Victoria for four years from 1995, served as chief executive of the Sydney Opera House, and led the Arts Centre for 11 years. He also worked with Carrillo Gantner to secure government support for the $128.5 million renovation of Hamer Hall—experience directly relevant to major project funding and stakeholder relations.

How might Jacobs’ appointment influence the festival’s funding and government support?

Given Jacobs' track record in securing government backing for large cultural projects like the $128.5 million Hamer Hall renovation, and the festival board’s directive that the new executive director focus on income generation and government relations, his appointment signals an emphasis on strengthening funding and official support.

Who are Carrillo Gantner and Brett Sheehy, and what roles do they play at the festival?

Carrillo Gantner is the festival chairman who recruited Tim Jacobs to fill the leadership gap. Brett Sheehy is the festival's artistic director; Jacobs will operate as co‑chief executive alongside Sheehy as the festival launches into its next phase.

What prompted the leadership change at the Melbourne International Arts Festival?

The leadership change followed the board's decision to restructure the organisation, after which Vivia Hickman left in December. The board created an executive director role focused on income generation and government relations and asked Jacobs to step in.

Is Tim Jacobs’ return to the sector a permanent comeback or a temporary assignment?

The article describes Jacobs as coming out of a short‑lived retirement to accept a temporary position. He had no intention of returning to full‑time work until he learned this specific temporary opportunity was available.