EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP
Brad's unwavering commitment to creating meaningful experiences for large, diverse audiences and communities, regardless of age, gender, cultural or socio-economic background, is a testament to his curatorial approach and dedication to contemporary arts. His track record of developing platforms for contemporary and experimental arts practice has reached a broad and diverse audience and fundamentally changed artists' careers. His enthusiasm for cultivating connections between artists and organisations and developing programs that communicate with nuance and sophistication is evident.
His curatorial practice is grounded in more than just a single point of view but is deeply rooted in collaboration with co-curators. This contemporary co-design model is central to his commitment to increasing opportunity for diverse and distinctive artistic voices, bringing new ideas into a national conversation and reaching a broader audience. His complex curatorial programs have amplified artistic ambition and facilitated meaningful relationships between artists, organisations, and audiences, producing significant national and international partnerships.
As the inaugural Arts Program Director at Brisbane Powerhouse, he was responsible for conceiving and delivering a dynamic, engaging program that built a more diverse audience across a broader demographic. The arts program attracted audiences of over 350,000 a year to the Powerhouse through new festivals, events and a year-round commissioning program. This vision was supported by a significant increase in government, philanthropic and commercial sponsorship, contributing to a reinvigoration of the Powerhouse’s reputation as a must-visit national venue.
From 2015 – 2022, Brad was The Substation's Artistic Director and CEO. He transformed this suburban multi-arts venue's program, organisation, financial operating model, reputation, and community and sector engagement. He was responsible for organisational strategy, executive management, and curating the artistic program while improving the organisation’s financial position to expand staffing and program investment. He developed significant local, national, and international partnerships with presenters, sponsors, and artist managers, which built audiences, investment, and co-presenting opportunities. He managed complex government funding relationships, securing ongoing multi-year funding at all levels of government, along with significant investment from philanthropic funders and sponsors. Brad designed and delivered a nationally and internationally recognised program of high-quality events across art forms, including commissioning over 50 new works from local artists and companies and co-presenting major international artists with partners nationwide.
As Executive Producer and Co-CEO at ILBIJERRI Theatre Company, Brad oversaw a momentous period of growth. He led large-scale projects with national and international partners, including Tanderrum (Melbourne Festival) and extensive national and international touring of the celebrated work Jack Charles Vs The Crown. He has continued to work closely with emerging and established First Nations artists and leaders, including at The Substation, where we embedded First Nations voices in the leadership model through the Board and Community Reference Group. At Brisbane Powerhouse, he spearheaded the formation of the organisation's inaugural First Nations Advisory Committee.
Throughout his career, Brad has placed artists-led ideas at the heart of his practice, advocating for contemporary and experimental practice with a view to a significantly broader audience than is often expected by stakeholders. By keeping artists and audiences central to strategy and vision development, he has delivered solid results for numerous organisations—curatorially, financially, and ethically—to build meaningful exchanges between artists, audiences, and communities.
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS AND AWARDS
THE MACFARLANE FOUNDATION ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER
2018 – Present
WYNDHAM CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC ART & COLLECTIONS EXPERT ADVISORY PANEL MEMBER
2019 – Present
INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM OF ELECTRONIC ARTS (ISEA) STEERING GROUP MEMBER
2022 – 2024
PUNCTUM, CHAIR (1YR); BOARD MEMBER
2014 - 2022
THEATRE NETWORK AUSTRALIA, FOUNDING BOARD MEMBER
2015 – 2022
WYNDHAM ART PRIZE JUDGE
2019
GREEN ROOM AWARD FOR CURATORIAL CONTRIBUTION, THE SUBSTATION
2016
HELPMANN AWARD FOR BEST TOURING WORK, ILBIJERRI THEATRE
2014
CITY OF MELBOURNE, CHAIR, ARTS ADVISORY PANEL
2013
Other
CREATIVE AUSTRALIA, CREATIVE VICTORIA, CITY OF MELBOURNE, GRANT BODY PEER ASSESSOR