New General Manager for Darwin Festival

The Darwin Festival Board of Directors is delighted to announce the appointment of Edwina Lunn, a highly accomplished arts administrator to the role of General Manager, Darwin Festival.

Edwina Lunn secured the position due to her experience and skills in the arts industry along with the common vision she shares with the Board for the continued development of the Festival.

“We were very pleased with the number of high quality applications received in response to the advertising of the position. This demonstrates the national awareness and standing of the Darwin Festival and provided the Board with the ability to choose the best person available for this very important role. The Board also acknowledges, with great appreciation, the enormous contribution that Anne Dunn has made during her time as General Manager”, John Montague, Chairman – Darwin Festival.

Edwina Lunn will leave her current position as Program Manager at Melbourne International Arts Festival in November this year to take up her new position as General Manager at Darwin Festival. Well equipped with a strong passion and broad knowledge of performing arts business in Australia and overseas, Edwina has worked across many festival organisations and her impressive credentials include her previous position as Associate Director of the third largest comedy festival in the world - Melbourne International Comedy Festival and serving as General Manager at Assembly Theatre and prior to that, The Gilded Balloon at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. With nine years of solid experience in festival administration, management and programming in Australia and internationally. Edwina is a widely respected member of the Australian arts community in which she has contributed for over 15 years, having initially worked as an independent producer, writer and performer for theatre and television.

Edwina is widely known in Melbourne and Edinburgh for her dedication to developing festivals’ public programs; her commitment to nurturing and mentoring independent artists; and facilitating collaborations between various stakeholders, including emerging and established artists, venues, sponsors and government bodies.

“I value the responsibility that comes with the role of General Manager and I take on the position with respect for the Festival’s history and its traditions and its enormous growth and success in recent years. The Darwin Festival is currently regarded as one of the most exciting arts Festivals in this country -a unique festival that connects with its culture, artists and community and a festival that is definitely on the world’s radar. I’m honoured to have the opportunity to contribute significantly to the future of this marvellous festival and city as it continues to develop and move forward and look forward to moving to Darwin and meeting new friends and colleagues”, Edwina Lunn – Incoming General Manager, Darwin Festival.