Circa Names New Chairman

Brisbane-based contemporary circus company Circa is delighted to announce the appointment of their new chairman, Michael Lynch. Lynch brings a wealth of experience to the position having led the Australia Council, the Sydney Opera House, the transformation of the Southbank Centre in London and the West Kowloon Cultural District in Hong Kong over the past 20 years.

Michael Lynch will take over from Sam Strong who ends his term as Chair after a year in the role. Mr Strong has taken great pride in overseeing the continued growth of the company since his commencement in 2015 and has witnessed its development as a premier arts organisation in Australia and all over the world.

Circa's Artistic Director, Yaron Lifschitz said he is thrilled with Michael Lynch coming onto the Board. "Michael's appointment sends a strong signal - Circa is a fresh, bold arts organisation that works with the best and brightest, wherever they are. We wanted a national arts figure to lead us into the future with courage, insight and energy. Michael fits that role perfectly." Lifschitz said.

Mr Lynch says of his appointment at Circa, "I'm 65 years old; I can barely walk due to childhood polio and I always wanted to be an Olympic gymnast. So of course the invitation to Chair Circa was irresistible. I may not be up for a stint in Circa's Training Centre but I'm certainly up for enthusiastically supporting one of Australia's most innovative and successful performing arts companies. I very much look forward to working with the Board of Circa and with Yaron and Charlie and their team to help make Circa an even greater success story in Australia and around the world."

Michael was formally appointed as Chair by the Board on 17 May.

Michael was the General Manager of Sydney Theatre Company from 1989-1994. He then went on to be General Manager of the Australia Council for the Federal Government's arts funding and advisory body (1994-1998). In 1998 he became the Director of the Sydney Opera House and from 2002 to 2009 he became chief executive of the South Bank Centre in London. Shortly after, Michael was appointed a director of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Most recently, he was appointed CEO of the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority by the Hong Kong Government.