It is a great privilege to lead our national arts agency, and to be part of an arts sector that is vibrant, diverse and ever changing. As I reflect on the year that was I’m proud of the way we have worked for the arts, and in collaboration with so many across the arts. As more Australians value and engage with the arts than ever before we can look forward to a future where the arts are a part of daily life for more Australians and we are increasingly known for our great art and artists internationally.
Tony Grybowski is the Chief Executive Officer of the Australia Council for the Arts. Since taking on the role in 2013, Tony has led the Council through its most significant period of reform, resulting in a new arts funding model and approach to strategic arts development.
Tony’s long career in the arts has included leadership roles with a broad range of arts organisations, as well as arts policy work in state and federal government bodies.
In the arts sector Tony has held management roles with the Victorian Arts Centre, the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Musica Viva Australia and the Australian Youth Orchestra. With over a decade working in government bodies His experience includes arts policy development and program delivery in the Victorian Government and five years as Executive Director Arts Organisations with the Australia Council, before taking on the role of Chief Executive.
Tony’s undergraduate studies were in music and education at the University of Melbourne, followed by a Masters of Arts Administration from the University of Technology Sydney and the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Prior to working in Government, Tony served on a range of arts Boards and Committees, including the contemporary music ensemble Elision, Youth Music Australia, Arts NSW Music Committee and the advisory Board for the Australian National University Institute for the Arts.
