NORPA (Northern Rivers Performing Arts) is thrilled to announce Libby Lincoln, one of Australia’s most experienced arts leaders, will be joining the theatre company in November in a newly created role of Executive Director to work in collaboration with Julian Louis, NORPA’s Artistic Director.

Lincoln has undertaken leadership and management roles in arts organisations and has produced and curated major arts projects for the past 35 years. Partnerships, strategic transformation and artistic collaborations have been a major theme throughout her career. Lincoln sits comfortably within the pioneering space, on the edge of new beginnings and opportunities.  

Lincoln has implemented lasting capacity building models through long-term partnerships with government, including regional councils, funding bodies, education, philanthropic and corporate organisations. Through her arts development roles, she has provided leadership for local artists, strategies for art form and audience development, and developed education initiatives.

Previous organisations Lincoln has worked with include QPAC, Brisbane Festival, Qld Music Festival, Expressions Dance Company, BEMAC, Out of the Box Festival and Riverfestival. Libby's most recent role was leading arts and cultural transformation for the City of Gold Coast council.  

In her role as NORPA’s Executive Director Lincoln will bring her experience to help steer the company in the areas of strategic partnerships, funding and development, financial management, and work alongside Julian to continue to position NORPA as a significant theatre company locally and nationally. 

A Northern Rivers local since 2017 Lincoln said “Joining NORPA at this stage of its journey is really exciting. Theatre can be a powerful connecting and restorative force and our community needs art more than ever right now. NORPA’s recognised ability to make and present artistic experiences that are cherished by its community makes it such an important asset to this region.”

“It is inspiring that NORPA is focusing on remaining relevant and pioneering in what it does. I feel equipped and ready to harness the current opportunities and am so looking forward to working alongside the incredible NORPA team to create some magic.” 

David Wolff, NORPA’s Chair said of the appointment “Julian Louis and the NORPA team have successfully guided NORPA through many challenges including the pandemic and the devastating floods. Now is the right time to invest in NORPA’s executive leadership.”

“Libby brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the role and will be instrumental in creating the strategic and operational framework to propel NORPA forward as the company embarks on an exciting new phase.”

Julian Louis, NORPA Artistic Director said, “We are delighted to welcome Libby to our team at a time of immense challenge and opportunity. Libby has great knowledge of the company, the region and the sector more broadly, so we are looking forward to building on our strengths while carving out a new chapter for NORPA.”

In February NORPA and the region lost its performing arts centre, Lismore City Hall, in the floods. In September, NORPA presented a three week sell-out season of the company’s new site specific work, Love For One Night, conceived and directed by Julian Louis and performed at the Eltham Hotel. 

(Love For One Night at the Eltham Hotel. Photo: Kurt Petersen)