Nuala Furtado is our new CEO /
The Substation is delighted to announce the appointment of Nuala Furtado to the position of Chief Executive Officer – commencing in the role in January 2023.
Bringing to the role a wealth of experience in experimental and contemporary cultural work, Nuala Furtado will be building upon The Substation’s strong legacy which, over a period of seven years, has seen the transformation of the program, funding, and reputation of the suburban multi-arts venue.
With a history of commissioning important works from established and emerging artists, as well as co-presentation of major international acts there is strong alignment in the work Furtado has delivered at 4A Centre for Contemporary Asian Art and PACT Centre for Emerging Artists in particular.
Nuala Furtado is a cultural leader with over 10 years of experience working across contemporary practice and experimental forms from inside Australian festivals and small-medium arts organisations.
As Executive Producer/CEO at PACT Centre for Emerging Artists (2018-2021), Nuala was instrumental in the organisational shift to a collaborative cultural leadership model, implementing an Artistic Directorate of 5 practising mid-career Artists. In this role she developed and produced focused creative and professional development opportunities for the next generation of Australian creative innovators.
Nuala holds a Bachelor of Music Studies from the Queensland Conservatorium of Music. As a participant in the Future Leaders program at the Australia Council for the Arts (2019), Nuala is currently investigating her own diverse cultural heritage as a queer, first generation Australian with a Goan-Indian father and a Northern-Irish Catholic mother.
Nuala brings her understanding of difference to all aspects of her work and is deeply invested in programming and presenting marginalised voices and new narratives.
James Lockyer, Chair of The Substation Board, said:
“I’m thrilled to be initiating this next chapter for The Substation and welcoming Nuala to lead the team and our creative community. The Board were struck by her level of multi-disciplinary arts experience, how well she understands the pressures upon artists and her clear vision for the sector’s role in improving the arts ecology. Combined with her bright energy and generosity of spirit, Nuala is a cultural leader who can deliver the Board’s strategic vision and continue our bold artistic programming decisions and commitment to diversity and sustainability”.
Of her appointment, Nuala said:
“I’m delighted to join the team at the Substation and this special organisation which plays a significant role in the experimental and contemporary arts ecology within Australia. I’m looking forward to continuing the Substation’s important role in presenting the nuanced narratives that make up our contemporary Australian culture. Respecting the strong leadership of the past, we will continue to collaborate with our local community of artists and audiences, as well as our peers nationally and internationally, to nurture and amplify future icons of experimental practice.”
Nuala will commence fully in the role from Monday 30 January 2023.
