Northern exposure: New AD for Townsville-based arts festival
Two experienced arts figures have taken the helm of the Townsville-based North Australian Festival of Arts.
As a co-director of Dancenorth Australia, Kyle Page has become one of the most admired creatives in Queensland, so it seems perfect that he has been named artistic director of the North Australian Festival of Arts.
NAFA has just announced his appointment and that of Fabienne Cooke from Brisbane Festival as its new executive director. Both are outstanding visionaries in the Australian arts sector.
These appointments signal a bold new chapter for NAFA as it continues to strengthen its national profile while deepening its commitment to North Queensland communities, artists and audiences.
Page brings a powerful artistic vision shaped by his leadership at Townsville-based Dancenorth Australia and an international career spanning performance, choreography and cultural leadership. His work is known for its innovation, emotional intelligence and deep engagement with place and people.
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Cooke joins NAFA from Brisbane Festival, where she has played a senior role in delivering one of Australia’s premier arts events. With extensive experience in strategic partnerships, philanthropy and large-scale festival delivery, she brings exceptional capability in building sustainable, ambitious cultural organisations.
Together, Page and Cooke represent a rare alignment of artistic excellence and strategic leadership – positioning NAFA for its next phase of growth and impact.
NAFA co-chairs Merissa Martinez and Professor Judith McLean say the appointments reflect both ambition and respect for the broader arts ecosystem.
“Kyle and Fabienne are leaders of national significance and their decision to join NAFA speaks volumes about the strength of our vision and the opportunity ahead,” Martinez says.
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Adds Professor McLean: “These appointments have been made in the spirit of collaboration. Both appointments will strengthen the North Queensland arts and cultural sector.”
The dual appointments reflect NAFA’s strategic priority to balance world-class artistic programming with strong regional relevance and community connection.
Page says he is excited to shape a festival that reflects both the uniqueness of North Queensland and its place in the global cultural landscape.
“NAFA has a powerful identity and an extraordinary context,” he says. “I’m excited to work with artists, communities and partners to create a program that is resonant, expansive and deeply connected to this place – celebrating the unique energy of the north.”
Cooke says NAFA represents a compelling opportunity to build on strong foundations and drive long-term sustainability.
“This is a festival with enormous potential,” she says. “I look forward to working with the board, Kyle and our stakeholders to grow NAFA’s impact — artistically, economically and socially — while honouring the relationships underpinning its success.”
The North Australian Festival of Arts will be held in Townsville, September 25 to October 11. Townsville City Council and Arts Queensland are major funding partners of NAFA
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