Creative Australia chair retires after Venice furore

The chair of the federal arts agency, Robert Morgan, has stepped down three months after the board’s controversial sacking of Australia’s appointed representatives to the Venice Biennale.

Morgan’s retirement from Creative Australia was announced by Arts Minister Tony Burke late Friday just weeks before an independent review is to publicly report on the process that led to the sacking of artist Khaled Sabsabi and curator Michael Dagostino.

The leadership change has raised hopes in the arts sector that the sacking could be revoked in time for Australia to attend the Venice Biennale in 2026.

Morgan and Creative Australia chief executive Adrian Collette have borne the brunt of criticism over the board’s decision in February to abruptly cancel the Biennale invitation of Sabsabi and Dagostino.

The move had followed questions in parliament that day about Sabsabi’s historic works.

Creative Australia chair Robert Morgan, left, and Creative Australia CEO Adrian Collette during a Senate estimates hearing.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

The pair told Senate estimates the decision had been taken to avoid “the worst kind of divisive debate”, and “an unacceptable risk to public support for Australia’s artistic community”.

It was the discovery of an 18-second 2006 video artwork, Thank You Very Much featuring images of the 9/11 attacks on the US that Collette told senators had prompted him to call an emergency meeting of the board the evening of February 13.

Collette conceded the agency might be unable to find a replacement in time, leaving Australia without a presence at the event.

Collette announced Morgan’s departure in a note to staff Friday.

“When Robert was appointed to the board of Creative Australia, he signalled his intention to remain chair through the Australia Council for Arts transition to Creative Australia. Now that this is done, he will pass the honour on.”

Sabsabi’s gallerist, Josh Milani, hoped the leadership change “may open a pathway towards healing Creative Australia’s relationship with the sector to regain the trust of the artists it serves”. “We believe it is possible,” he said.

“Khaled Sabsabi and Michael Dagostino stand ready to fulfil their contract to represent Australia at Venice in 2026 and would be happy to work under new leadership.

“Reinstatement is the best path forward to achieve these goals. As I’ve said elsewhere, it would be a win, win, win scenario. A win for Creative Australia, a win for the sector and a win for the duly selected artistic team. Furthermore, it would restore Australia’s reputation on the international stage.”

Morgan, an executive chairman of Clemenger, had been chair since 2021.

He said it had been “a great honour to have served as the chair of Creative Australia during the period of its establishment and supporting its ambitions for Australia’s artists, creators and cultural visionaries”.

Burke paid tribute to Morgan’s commitment, passion and professionalism over his four-year tenure: “Now is the time to hand over to a new chair.”

Deputy chair Wesley Enoch will act in Morgan’s position until an official appointment is made, suggesting that the timing of change at the top had not been planned.

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