Welcome to Ian Carson AM
Meet Ian Carson, the new President of the Victorian Arts Centre Trust.
The Victorian Arts Centre Trust, Arts Centre Melbourne’s governing body, has a new President.
Social entrepreneur Ian Carson AM took over the mantle from James MacKenzie in April 2019 as the organisation embarks on its most significant project since first opening its doors in 1984: helping the Victorian Government to transform the Melbourne Arts Precinct in Southbank into one of the world’s great creative and cultural destinations.
“It’s an extraordinary time to come on board, and I look forward to working closely with the Victorian Government and the Minister for Creative Industries, Martin Foley MP, my fellow Trustees, Arts Centre Melbourne Chief Executive Officer Claire Spencer and her talented team to take the organisation and the broader precinct deeper into its journey of transformation and reimagining,” says Ian.
“I am old enough to remember the building of Arts Centre Melbourne and the spirit of its development. Remembering that spirit and its impact on Victoria allows me to understand the significant role Arts Centre Melbourne plays as the heart of Victorian culture over the last 50 years,” he says.
Ian, who commenced his career as a Chartered Accountant, has extensive experience in business start-ups, including as one of the founders of specialist consulting company PPB. He is currently also a trustee of the Melbourne Cricket Ground – an organisation at the heart of another famous Melbourne precinct that has gone through its own revitalisation over the past two decades – and is Chairman of Markets at consultancy firm PwC. As Innovation Partner to Arts Centre Melbourne, PwC is already working closely with the organisation on a raft of initiatives to help support the reimagining.
At the same time, he has no illusions of just how big the shoes are that he has to fill.
“My predecessor James has laid so much of the vital foundations for this undertaking. I’d like to acknowledge the time and dedication James has given to Arts Centre Melbourne during his tenure, and in particular the important leadership role he played in helping secure the Melbourne Arts Precinct Transformation project.”
James MacKenzie, who served as President since 2015, also leaves a legacy that includes the realisation of ambitious initiatives such as the opening of the Australian Music Vault, the return of the summer musical and the inaugural Asia TOPA: Asia-Pacific Triennial of Performing Arts in 2017.
Arts Centre Melbourne CEO Claire Spencer and Trust President Ian Carson (Photo credit: Josh Robenstone)
Ian is committed to ensuring that arts and creativity thrive in Australia and sees Arts Centre Melbourne and the Trust’s role as central to this.
“Culture, and therefore cultural organisations such as Arts Centre Melbourne, are at the core of human expression,” he says. “[Culture] provides meaning and expression for a vast number of Victorians and inspires people [beyond the everyday]. This vibrant culture creates the background for a state which allows people to thrive.”
In this time of great change, Ian sees collaboration and teamwork as essential to the institution’s success.
“Collaboration will be one of the most important ways to achieve the best outcomes. Communication will be a crucial piece of the jigsaw and honest open conversations will be important. Imagining what is possible will be critical to getting this right,” he says. “I am a ‘connector’ and believe in getting the right people into the right room to solve important problems.”
Ian is also keenly interested in the leadership role organisations such as Arts Centre Melbourne play in community wellbeing and engagement. Together with his family, he has a long history of commitment to social justice, equity and sustainability; In 2005, he co-founded SecondBite with his wife Simone Carson AM, giving Australians in need access to fresh, healthy food. In 2017, they were awarded the Order of Australia, followed by Melburnians of the Year in 2018.
“If I see a ‘wrong’, I like to ‘right’ it. Having been able to make a difference through SecondBite,
I now understand that it is possible to change society and improve people’s lives. I want to use all my skills to improve society.”
Considering Arts Centre Melbourne’s shared values in this regard, it’s a fantastic fit.
“Having a vibrant and thriving Arts Centre Melbourne will have a positive impact on Victorians,” he says. “Melbourne has it all in many ways: an arts culture, a food culture, a creative vibe, sports tribalism, wonderful parks, beautiful seasons, the Yarra River, two beautiful bays, politicians with the foresight to build and develop great institutions…Allowing as many Victorians as possible to be touched by this vibrancy and culture will make an incredible difference.”
Click here to visit Arts Centre Melbourne’s website.