Piaf Announces New Festival Executive Director

Perth International Arts Festival chairman John Barrington has announced the appointment of Nathan Bennett as executive director of Australia's longest-running and most diverse multi-arts festival.

"I am delighted to announce that Nathan Bennett has accepted our offer of appointment for a five-year term," Mr Barrington said.

Mr Bennett, the Deputy Executive Director and Head of Development at Sydney's Belvoir St Theatre, was appointed after an extensive international search.

Having worked for leading arts companies in Australia and overseas for over 15 years, Mr Bennett has a proven track record of success in senior management, audience engagement, marketing, corporate partnerships, private philanthropy and new technology in the arts.

He has held roles as General Manager at Griffin Theatre Company, Company Manager at Bell Shakespeare and Director of Development at Philadelphia's Pig Iron Theatre Company in the US.

"Nathan brings a wealth of experience as an arts leader with a strong focus on external partnerships and working with the community, Mr Barrington said.

"Nathan represents the next generation of artistic management leaders in Australia."

"His appointment will further strengthen a great PIAF team as they realise the bold creative vision of Artistic Director Wendy Martin in connecting with WA audiences for the upcoming 2017 Festival and beyond."

Mr Bennett said it was a great honour to be given the opportunity to lead Australia's longest-running multi-arts festival.

"I admire Wendy's commitment to presenting a diverse, challenging and uniquely Western Australian program, he said. "I look forward to working alongside her and the festival team to further strengthen PIAF's position as one of the world's great cultural events."

Mr Bennett will take up his appointment early next year and work with outgoing executive director Philp Rolfe throughout the 2017 Festival.

PIAF will be presented from 10 February to 5 March 2017 in Perth and the Great Southern with Lotterywest Festival Films opening on 28 November 2016.