Following the Controversy Surrounding the Biennale, Creative Australia Chair Announces Retirement | Creative Australia

The chair of Creative Australia will be leaving the organization, with Arts Minister Tony Burke announcing Robert Morgan’s intention to retire on Friday. Wesley Enoch, a First Nations playwright and creative director, will serve as the acting chair and is expected to take over for Morgan. Morgan was responsible for the controversial board meeting in February, in which it was decided to withdraw the 2026 Venice Biennale commission from Lebanese-Australian artist Khaled Sabsabi and curator Michael Dagostino. This decision was made due to concerns of a “prolonged and divisive debate.” Despite public criticism and an open letter from over 600 individuals in the literary community, Morgan and the board declined to resign. An independent review is currently examining the governance processes involved in this decision. Burke praised Morgan for his role in the transition of the Australia Council to Creative Australia, as well as implementing the Labor government’s national cultural policy Revive. Morgan expressed his honor in serving as chair for four years and expressed confidence in Creative Australia’s future under Enoch’s leadership.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2025/may/23/chair-of-creative-australia-robert-morgan-retires-ntwnfb