Shape-shifting journeyman makes his way back to Metro Arts
Kieran Swann – a Metro Arts tragic since the age of 10 – is on his way home to run the joint, famous for its support of experimental and contemporary arts.
It’s the organisation that helped shape his career and now Kieran Swann is returning to Brisbane as chief executive officer of Metro Arts.
A cornerstone of experimental and contemporary arts in Australia, Metro Arts has been much loved by generations of Queenslanders, including Swann, who discovered the arts hub at the age of 10.
It was in a funky old building in Edward Street in Brisbane’s CBD back then, and now occupies premises at West End, where it is part of a burgeoning cultural and lifestyle precinct.
Relocating from London for the role, Swann will start in mid-August. It will be a special homecoming since he previously served as program manager for Metro Arts from 2012-2016.
In the decade since, Swann has established a distinguished career spanning Australia and the UK, including senior curator at Create London, head of programme at Arnolfini, head of live programme at Wellcome Collection and program producer at Theatre Network Australia.
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He is a natural collaborator with almost two decades dedicated to fostering experimental and contemporary arts practices, and supporting independent and emerging artists.
Tara Hastings, who was appointed chairperson of the Metro Arts Board earlier this year, expressed her enthusiasm for the appointment.
‘His vision for collaboration, pursuit of new opportunities and experience in Australian and international sectors will propel us to the next level’
“Kieran is the perfect candidate to lead Metro Arts into the next chapter,” Hastings says. “His commitment to experimental and contemporary arts, coupled with his dedication to independent and emerging artists aligns perfectly with our core mission. His vision for collaboration, pursuit of new opportunities and experience in both the Australian and international sectors will undoubtedly propel us to the next level.
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“I am looking forward to working alongside Kieran as we strengthen Metro Arts’ unique offer as Brisbane’s home for experimental and contemporary art.”
Swann described his appointment as “a deeply personal and exciting return to the organisation that helped shape my career”.
“It’s no surprise that I am returning to Metro Arts to take up this role – after all, I have been returning to Metro Arts my whole life,” he says. “From my first visit aged 10 I was captivated by its commitment to the bold and the new. Metro Arts has shaped not only my career but my relationship with art itself, and I’m deeply grateful for the opportunity to pay that forward as we nurture the next generation of artists and audiences.
“I’m excited to honour the essential work of those who came before me – by building new collaborations, deepening our connections with our neighbours and local communities and help providing Brisbane’s cultural landscape what it needs to truly flourish.”
The announcement comes as Metro Arts builds on the momentum of its strong 2025 program. The year of activity places artist development at its heart – with three visual art residencies culminating in solo exhibitions, four mainstage productions and continuing partnerships with Brisbane Festival, the Churchie emerging art prize, BEMAC, the Brisbane Portrait Prize and more – showcasing Metro Arts’ continued commitment to supporting innovative and boundary-pushing contemporary art.
This year’s program highlights include: DragSpeare – drag king cabaret that brings audiences on a rock’n’roll journey through rural Queensland; Terra Culture – an examination and invitation by Bianca Tainsh to interact with fungi, delving into what it means to be human; and the solo debut of First Nations artist-in-residence Joshua Taliani – Unveiling Shadows, in partnership with Brisbane Festival and co-directed with Wanida Serce.
With a profound 45-year legacy, Metro Arts is at the forefront of nurturing Australian creative talent, serving as an incubator and launchpad for some of the country’s finest artists.
This powerhouse organisation provides vital support and investment for new ideas to flourish – encouraging independent artists to take risks and push the status quo.
Metro Arts is equipped with state-of-the-art galleries, artist studies and theatre facilities, all located within the thriving West Village precinct.