As Brett Sheehy’s term as Artistic Director of Melbourne Festival comes to an end with this year’s event, the question of who will replace him has been hot on everyone’s lips.
This week the Festival announced that Josephine Ridge, current Executive Director of Sydney Festival, would be taking on the role. During her time at Sydney Festival, the event saw its most impressive period of growth, and Melbourne hopes for similar successes.
Ridge boasts an impressive arts management background, working within Opera Australia, The Australian Ballet and Australian Chamber Orchestra. This will be her first artistic rather than managerial role. Find put more about her previous roles here.
The announcement comes at a time when a controversial proposal to reschedule the annual festival from October to February is still in fierce debate.
The Festival is currently waiting to discover if the state government will over-rule this decision, due to opposition from rival events including Melbourne International Comedy Festival.
