Kate Gould takes the helm at Brisbane Powerhouse

Her father was the man who put QPAC on the map, and now she’s set to return to take the helm at the Brisbane Powerhouse.

Kate Gould takes the reins at Brisbane Powerhouse from July.

If the name is familiar it should be – Kate Gould, the new CEO/artistic director of Brisbane Powerhouse, is the daughter of the Tony and Jenny Gould.

Tony Gould, who died last year, was the man who steered QPAC to greatness over decades and he was the doyen of the arts in Brisbane.

Kate Gould takes the helm at the Brisbane Powerhouse after a contentious process that saw previous artistic director Kris Stewart jump before he was pushed. Stewart, who will soon take the helm at QMusic, was sidelined when the Brisbane Powerhouse board decided to make his position redundant and combine the roles of CEO and artistic director.

Kate Gould’s late father Tony Gould who was Brisbane arts royalty. Pic Jeff Camden

Not everyone was happy with the process but they may be happier now with someone of the calibre of Kate Gould in charge. Gould is regarded as one of the country’s leading cultural entrepreneurs and strategic Adviser to numerous major events and organisations including Dark Mofo, Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, Aboriginal Art and Cultures Centre (SA), Monash University and Australian Dance Theatre.

She is the former CEO and Associate Artistic Director of the iconic Adelaide Festival. The appointment marks a homecoming for the proud Queenslander who studied at the University of Queensland and commenced her career at Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) and Brisbane Festival. Her career highlights include co-founding Mona’s annual winter arts festival Dark Mofo.

As Principal of Kate Gould Consulting, she worked with clients over eight years to secure more than $200 million in cultural funding. Gould is also an experienced and qualified company director and has served on six boards including as Adelaide Symphony Orchestra’s current Chair, Tarrawarra Museum of Art and South Australia’s Premier’s Council for Women.

Brisbane Powerhouse chair Valmay Hill said the coveted newly combined position of CEO/Artistic Director attracted widespread national and international interest.

Brisbane Powerhouse chair Valmay Hill

“This is undoubtedly the organisation’s biggest role yet and one that commands the ultimate balancing act of achieving both great artistic outcomes and commercial success,” Hill said. “Kate is an exceptional talent whose skills, experience and networks will help realise the significant potential of Brisbane Powerhouse.”

Gould said she was thrilled to return to her hometown.

“After 17 years away I’m excited to become reacquainted with the open warmth of Brisbane and I look forward to reconnecting with artists and audiences across the city,” she said. “My vision for Brisbane Powerhouse is to cement its position as a force for contemporary art in Australia and for it to become a must see destination for locals and visitors alike.”

Of course it already is and some tribute must be paid to outgoing artistic director Kris Stewart and outgoing CEO Fiona Maxwell who is also leaving. They both did a great job and were liked and respected.

Gould will take over her new role on Monday, July 5.