Gough joined Darwin Festival’s team in October 2019 before stepping into the Acting Chief Executive Officer role to oversee the successful delivery of the 2020 Festival during extraordinary pandemic times.
Commenting on the announcement of Gough’s appointment, Darwin Festival Chair Ian Kew acknowledged that “COVID-19 interruptions delayed the CEO recruitment process, but we are very pleased with the outcome. James is a great addition to the team having been involved in the Darwin arts and entertainment industry for over 10 years and we are thrilled that his dynamic leadership and passion will be guiding Darwin Festival forward.”
This announcement coincides with the extension of Artistic Director Felix Preval’s tenure to 2022. Preval has now programmed four successful Festivals including the Festival’s record-breaking 40th anniversary celebrations in 2019 which saw more than 148,000 people attend and a new box office record set with 50,545 tickets sold. With the advent of COVID in 2020, Preval now has unfinished business.
Artistic Director Felix Preval says “It was wonderful to deliver a homegrown Festival this year – and a privilege to deliver a live event at all. DF20 Homegrown allowed us to really strengthen our connection with the arts community and local audiences and I am looking forward to building on this engagement.
“My extended tenure means I can focus on planning for larger more complex works that need that that time investment. I am also excited to call Darwin home for another 2 years!
“Looking ahead to 2021, the Darwin community will continue to remain at the heart of Darwin Festival, but we do hope to welcome back our growing interstate audience base in a bigger festival format.”
Chief Executive Officer James Gough says “We have had so many learnings from this year’s Festival that will inform our future planning. Nobody knows what is around the corner but a return to a full 18-day event is our plan and we hope to surprise and delight audiences with a genre rich program that attracts not only loyal local audiences but interstate visitation because who wouldn’t want to escape a southern winter for hot tropical August nights in Darwin, where a Festival wonderland awaits.”
ABOUT DARWIN FESTIVAL
Darwin Festival is the flagship major cultural and tourism event of the Northern Territory.
Recognised as Australia’s Hottest Winter Arts Festival, Darwin Festival shines brightly on the national events calendar attracting audiences from interstate and around the world each August while still retaining its strong Darwin community origin.
A vibrant arts and cultural event with a broad, dynamic and innovative program, the Festival is presented in spectacular outdoor venues that take advantage of Darwin’s blissful dry season weather. The Festival reflects Darwin’s position at the Top End of Australia, its unique Indigenous and multicultural population, and its close proximity to Asia, while at the same time showcasing some of Australia’s finest performers.
In 2019, Darwin Festival presented a third consecutive record-breaking event, with the 2019 Festival the most successful in its 40-year history. More than 148,000 people attended, and new box office records set with 50, 545 tickets sold smashing the previous record of 44,191 tickets sold in 2018. Darwin Festival is an Australian Tourism Awards Finalist having taken top honours for Best Major Festival & Event in the Northern Territory at the 2019 Brolgas, and most recently the Best Live Music Venue (NT) at the 2019 National Live Music Awards.
In 2020, Darwin Festival hosted a very special community celebration, shining a spotlight on Territory talent with 11 homegrown August nights. Just as the first Festival brought Darwin together in the wake of Cyclone Tracy in 1979, the 2020 Festival was a much-needed pick-me-up; a source of hope and positivity as well as a celebration of Territory strength and resilience while a global pandemic reigned.
Darwin Festival will run from 5-22 August 2021.
Darwin Festival is proudly supported by the Northern Territory Government and City of Darwin.
Website: www.theholidayandtravelmagazineblogspot.com.au
Website: www.darwinfestival.org.au/
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