6 young artists are helping to reshape Australia’s iconic cultural institutions

In October, six artists were appointed to director positions at six of Australia’s oldest and most prestigious cultural institutions. This diverse group, aged 18 to 28, are nothing like the older, whiter and wealthier demographic that traditionally dominates the boards.

Among the six artists – appointed from 400 candidates – were two of Asian heritage: 26-year-old Chinese-Australian street dancer Dylan Goh, who joined the board of the Sydney Opera House as a director, and 25-year-old Vietnamese-Australian author Vivian Pham, appointed to the State Library of New South Wales.

For years, there has been a growing call for greater diversity within the leadership structures of major cultural institutions across Australia. Critics have pointed to a lack of representation, particularly at the board level, as a barrier to institutions truly reflecting a multifaceted audience that ranges in culture and age.

But, as ordered by state legislation passed in New South Wales (NSW) in July, the boards of the Sydney Opera House, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Powerhouse Museum, Australian Museum, State Library of New South Wales, and Museums of History New South Wales were officially expanded to amplify youth voices.

“These new roles [have given us] important decision-making powers on the boards of the oldest cultural institutions in New South Wales,” Pham tells the Post.