The Auckland Festival Trust would like to share that Shona McCullagh, our Artistic Director, will complete her four year term at the conclusion of Te Ahurei Toi o Tāmaki Auckland Arts Festival (AAF) 2024 – in March next year.
Shona has successfully led the artistic direction of AAF over the last three festivals since 2020 through tumultuous times with great determination, flexibility and creative resourcefulness.
The 2021 Festival championed New Zealand artists and launched the Festival’s first online programme. This platform ensured the online premieres of several NZ works in the 2022 edition, as all live events were cancelled due to the pandemic.
The return to a full international festival in March 2023 was very well received on a range of levels, including a diverse and critically rewarding programme, again including the commissioning and premiere of significant new works.
The Auckland Festival Trust Board would like to thank Shona for her valued contribution and dedication as the fifth Artistic Director since the Festival recommenced in 2003.
McCullagh says “It’s been an honour to serve the Festival during such a tumultuous period for the artists, arts managers and audiences of Tāmaki Makaurau. The lifeblood of any arts organisation are its artists and they will always remain at the centre of my mahi. It’s time to hand to baton to new leadership and I look forward to seeing the Festival champion new voices and inspiring work with integrity and commitment to the heart of the art.”
The Board will be recruiting a successor Artistic Director for AAF 2025 and beyond over the forthcoming months to ensure a timely handover process.
John Judge
Board Chair
The Auckland Festival Trust
