Episode 1. Michael Lynch: Legendary Australian Arts Leader is Looking to His Next Challenge

This week’s guest is renowned arts leader Michael Lynch, AO CBE. Michael talks about his long and celebrated career, running some of the most iconic cultural institutions in Australia and overseas. Michael’s achievements and contributions to our cultural life are almost too extensive to list here. In Australia, as well as a fundamental role in the establishment of the Australia Council, Michael led the Sydney Theatre Company and was CEO of the Sydney Opera House before taking up the role of Chief Executive of London’s Southbank Centre and later CEO of Hong Kong’s  West Kowloon Cultural District, where he oversaw a multi-billion dollar development. He sat on the board of the ABC, and when we spoke, he was just departing his role as chair of Circa to take on yet another international opportunity. Michael is known for his robust views on the importance of culture in Australian society and the role the arts play in social change. He talks to us about all this, as well as his next leadership adventure.Links:Southbank Centrehttps://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/West Kowloon Cultural Districthttps://www.westkowloon.hk/en/Circa https://circa.org.au/people/chair/Connect with Decoding Cultural Leadership on social mediaInstagram, Threads, X/Twitter:@[email protected]@samuelcairnduffRead Sam's Substack here.Presenter and research: Sam CairnduffCreative Director: Niloofar PashmforooshPresented in association with LimelightDecoding Cultural Leadership | Culture. Society. Conversations