Arts Centre Melbourne Welcomes New Performing Arts Executive

Following an extensive national and international search, Melanie Smith, most recently the Deputy Director and Head of Programming at Auckland Live (formerly The Edge), has been appointed this week as Arts Centre Melbourne's new Executive, Performing Arts.

"I am thrilled Melanie is joining Arts Centre Melbourne and we look forward to welcoming her in early August. With her extensive career across the performing arts in programming, marketing and venue management, including at Auckland Live, Melanie will be an exciting addition to our organisation and a sensitive and experienced leader for our performing arts team," said Claire Spencer, Chief Executive Officer, Arts Centre Melbourne.

The Executive, Performing Arts is one of three executive roles at Arts Centre Melbourne and reports directly to the CEO. Ms Smith's portfolio includes the Arts Centre Melbourne Programming, Presenter Services, Production, Collections, and our Asian Programme teams, and is responsible for working with the Executive and broader team in developing and delivering Arts Centre Melbourne's Performing Arts Strategy and Business Plan.

"I am thrilled to be appointed into this role and look forward to working with the team to provide a home for the arts community and a place for the public to enjoy and be proud of," said Melanie Smith, incoming Executive, Performing Arts at Arts Centre Melbourne.

Ms Smith has been involved in the performing arts and entertainment sector since the early 90s, working across a broad range of roles including, programming, marketing, sponsorship, and ticketing. She has worked broadly across the sector, with artists and with the smallest to largest of arts organisations.

Having joined the Aotea Centre, New Zealand's largest performing arts and convention centre precinct, in 1991, Ms Smith progressed to Program Marketing Manager and established herself as a highly regarded arts professional, taking on leadership and board roles within the industry.

In 2001 she established her own events consultancy, providing scheduling advice and marketing services to clients including Auckland Festival, NZ Comedy Festival, Opera NZ, Auckland Museum as well as large number of international and Australian promoters and producers.

In 2007, Ms Smith returned to The Edge (incorporating Aotea Centre, The Civic, Auckland Town Hall, Aotea Square) as Associate Director, Commercial Theatre & Business Development. Her role was then expanded in 2011 to become Deputy Director and Head of Programming and as part of the executive team she was closely involved with transformation from The Edge into a forward thinking visitor facing organisation, Auckland Live.

At Auckland Live she worked closely with the resident companies as well as negotiating the larger scale musicals and commercial seasons to present a balanced and diverse annual program. More recently she has been responsible for leading contract negotiations for large scale concert events at Auckland Stadiums (Mt Smart, Western Springs, QBE stadiums) including Big Day Out, Bruce Springsteen, Eminem, Rolling Stones, Foo Fighters, Fleetwood Mac and AC/DC.