Richard Watts

Richard Watts OAM is ArtsHub's National Performing Arts Editor; he also presents the weekly program SmartArts on Three Triple R FM. Richard is a life member of the Melbourne Queer Film Festival, a Melbourne Fringe Festival Living Legend, and was awarded the 2019 Sidney Myer Performing Arts Awards' Facilitator's Prize in early 2020. He received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Green Room Awards Association in 2021, and a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in June 2024. Photo: Fiona Hamilton. Follow Richard on Bluesky @richardthewatts.bsky.social and Instagram @richard.l.watts

Richard Watts's Latest Articles

News

Using free tickets strategically

We need to think beyond a standard invitation to the Minister to ensure politicians better understand the arts, says the…

Features

Australian festivals' evolving conversation with Asia

Festival directors from around the country respond to recent criticisms that they have turned their backs on our closest neighbours.

News

Ten must see shows at Brisbane Festival

With over 70 productions to choose from, we thought we'd make your program browsing that little bit easier.

Features

Flexing our tuckshop arms

Mature age artists are breaking down the stereotypes of ageing to reimagine our concepts of beauty and vitality.

News

Students occupy SCA, protest at NAS

Students at two Sydney's major art schools are protesting as the future of fine art education remains uncertain.

Features

Soft power: the arts of diplomacy

Cultural diplomacy helps advance Australian influence and fund global arts engagement but it also places political pressure on artists.

Features

Australian festivals have turned their back on Asia

Instead of encouraging an artistic conversation with our neighbours, our festivals tend to focus on European culture.

News

Inspire60: Simon Abrahams

The Creative Director & CEO of Melbourne Fringe is inspired by artistic democratisation and the way art can change the…

Features

Opera and circus: strange bedfellows

Contemporary art form meets 17th century tradition; an unlikely pairing rich with potential.

News

Youth theatre company forced to close

A loss of funding means another arts company is closing this month.

1 167 168 169 170 171 251