The South Australian Government has announced a new Board and Chair to guide the Adelaide Festival, appointing an experienced leadership team tasked with steering the event through a period of transition and ensuring the successful delivery of the 2026 festival.
Arts Minister Andrea Michaels MP confirmed the appointments on Tuesday, naming respected arts leader Judy Potter as Chair. Potter previously led the Adelaide Festival Corporation Board for eight years from 2016 to 2023 and returns with extensive experience navigating major arts organisations through change.
Potter is joined by highly regarded arts executive Rob Brookman AM, whose career includes senior leadership roles across some of the nation’s most significant cultural institutions. Brookman has held multiple roles at the Adelaide Festival, including Administrator, Associate Director and Executive Director, as well as Programming Director, Producer and Artistic Director at the Adelaide Festival Centre.
Also appointed to the Board is respected media figure Jane Doyle OAM (pictured below), who brings a strong commitment to the arts and currently serves as a member of the State Opera Board. John Irving AM rounds out the new appointments, contributing professional accounting and financial expertise alongside extensive commercial, legal and governance experience, including previous roles with the State Theatre Company South Australia and State Opera.
The appointments follow the resignation of the majority of the previous board. Adelaide City Council–nominated member Mary Couros will remain on the Board until the expiry of her term in early February.
Minister Michaels said the decision was taken to safeguard the future of one of the state’s most significant cultural institutions. “The Adelaide Festival is a treasured institution,” she said. “It belongs to the people of South Australia and transcends any individual. It is vital we safeguard the festival for the future, which is why today I have appointed a board of experienced and trusted South Australians to ensure the 2026 Adelaide Festival can proceed under new leadership.”
She also acknowledged Potter’s return, describing her as a “forthright, skilful leader” with a proven track record at the helm of the Festival, and noting the depth of experience brought by Brookman, Doyle and Irving.
Speaking on her appointment, Potter said she was honoured to step back into the role. “I feel privileged to be invited to step back in as Chair of the Adelaide Festival Board and to use my expertise and experience to ensure the successful delivery of the 2026 Adelaide Festival,” she said. “The Adelaide Festival is deeply loved by South Australians and it is an honour to lead its board. I would like to acknowledge and thank Rob, Jane and John for joining me in this task.”
With the new Board now in place, attention turns to stabilising leadership and planning ahead for the 2026 program, reinforcing the Festival’s role as a cornerstone of South Australia’s cultural calendar.
RELATED NEWS: Adelaide Writers’ Week cancelled as festival board steps down
