Fergus Linehan named Chief Executive Officer of Carriageworks

Fergus Linehan will head up one of Australia’s leading arts and cultural institutions.

Fergus Linehan and Cass O’Connor at Carriageworks. Photo by Nic Walker.

Carriageworks, one of Australia’s major arts and cultural institutions, has announced the appointment of Fergus Linehan as its next Chief Executive Officer.

Linehan is a renowned international arts administrator and is widely respected for his success leading the Sydney Festival, Edinburgh International Festival, Vivid Live at the Sydney Opera House, and Dublin Theatre Festival.

In a statement, Carriageworks chair Cass O‘Connor said, “We were determined to appoint such an accomplished leader because of the scale of our ambition. Carriageworks has both history and potential at a time our arts and cultural sectors spark back to life.”

Lineham takes over from Jonty Claypole MBE, who served as an interim CEO during the search process.

Linehan previously curated Carriageworks’ inaugural performance, Zero Degrees by Akram Khan and Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, during his tenure as the Sydney Festival’s leader in January 2007.

He expressed his excitement about his return to the venue, saying, “Here, on this site of culture, industry and activism, architects Tonkin Zulaikha Greer had shaped one of the greatest performing arts facilities in the world. In a city that treasured its eastern harbour views, here was an urban space that optimistically faced west and towards the future.”

He acknowledged the responsibility that comes with the position, and the importance of Carriageworks as a cultural and historical landmark.

“Carriageworks sits on the land of the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, in a place of profound cultural and historical significance. I will do everything I can to contribute to this remarkable venue and the community it serves, alongside the passionate team at Carriageworks,” he said.

Fergus was artistic director and CEO of the Sydney Festival from 2006 to 2009, a tenure that saw him present projects such as Lou Read’s Berlin, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds All Tomorrow’s Parties on Cockatoo Island, and Maly Theatre’s Uncle Vanya.

Nick Cave performing on the Foundry Stage for All Tomorrow's Parties at Cockatoo Island on Sydney Harbour for 2009 Sydney Festival.

As curator of Vivid Live at the Sydney Opera House from 2012 to 2014, he presented iconic international figures such as Kraftwerk, Giorgio Morodor and Bobby Womack.

Most recently, he was Artistic Director and CEO of the Edinburgh International Festival from 2015 to 2022. In 2021, he was named the recipient of the prestigious Edinburgh Award.

He returned last year to Sydney, where he now lives with his wife and two children.

In 2020, Carriageworks, was handed a multimillion-dollar lifeline after going into administration after suffering an “irreparable” loss of income during the coronavirus pandemic.