Fringe World’s CEO Marcus Canning has announced he’ll be stepping down from his role in 2019. Canning has been the CEO of parent organisation Artrage for 17 years.
“After seventeen years leading Artrage’s development and growth, the time is right to step aside and welcome the next Chief Executive to this amazing organisation,” said Canning.
During his time leading the organisation Canning has transformed the organisation from a small organisation supporting local artists to a powerhouse of multiple businesses including Fringe World, Rooftops Movies and The East Perth based Girls School Creative Precinct. For many years the organisation ran The Bakery live music venue in Northbridge.
Canning was the winner of the 2017 Western Australian of the Year Award in the Arts and Culture category, the arts industry leader has been the CEO of Artrage since 2002.
“My time with Artrage has been a fantastic adventure and I’m extremely proud of everything that the team and I have accomplished and the positive impact we have made,” said Canning. “When I started with Artrage I was a 28 year-old with a love of Perth and its potential. I could never have foreseen how the organisation would evolve and grow over the coming decades and the difference we would make.”
Canning is retiring from Artrage on the 17th anniversary of his appointment to focus on The Rechabite development, an entertainment complex that is being built in a heritage hall on William Street in Northbridge on the edge of the Perth Cultural Centre. The Rechabite is scheduled to open in September 2019 and is being developed in partnership with Adrian Fini.
“I’m pleased that I’ll still be in the hood and look forward to The Rechabite hosting Fringe shows in future years,” said Canning. “I’m also looking forward to getting some of my own creative projects back on the front burner, but for now I’m mostly looking forward to this next Fringe program. It’s hands down the best we’ve produced yet, it’s going to be a great summer.”
Artrage said Canning leaves the organisation in a strong position with healthy reserves, long term funding and sponsorship partnerships secure and a fantastic team in place excited to work with a new CEO.
“The entire team is looking forward to meeting and working with the new CEO later in 2019 after what is shaping up to be the absolute best Fringe yet,” said Fringe World Director, Amber Hasler.
The search for a new Artrage and FRINGE WORLD CEO is being driven by Kingston Human Capital and is being promoted locally, nationally and internationally.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for a cultural leader with energy, enthusiasm, experience and some entrepreneurial zeal,” said Artrage Chair, Anthony Robinson.
“We are casting the recruitment net right across the world as we believe leading Artrage and the FRINGE WORLD Festival with this fantastic team in this fantastic city will be attractive to the world’s best and brightest. We encourage local cultural leaders who can see themselves making a future with the Fringe to also apply.”
OIP Staff, Image: Marcus Canning, retiring FRINGE WORLD Chief Executive; Hon. Mark McGowan MLA Premier of Western Australia; FRINGE WORLD Festival Director Amber Hasler. Photo by Robert Frith – Acorn Photography
