John Kotzas DUniv
Chief Executive
Queensland Performing Arts Centre
John Kotzas has a distinguished career in the cultural sector. John is the Chief Executive of the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC), a leading presenter in the Asia Pacific and an internationally renowned performing arts destination.
John joined QPAC in 1989, undertaking various creative and directing roles both for QPAC and a number of significant national celebrations. In 1995 he played a key role in the Australia Remembers celebrations on behalf of the Australian Government and in 1996 he was the Managing Director of the inaugural Brisbane Festival. At QPAC he initiated the STAGE X Festival and consolidated QPAC’s reputation as leader in the development and delivery of innovative work for young people. John led the team that developed the internationally-recognised Out of the Box Festival, one of the few arts events in the world that is focussed on children eight years and under.
From 2003 John served as QPAC’s Artistic Director and was instrumental in QPAC’s recent successes as an investor in large scale musicals including The Phantom of the Opera and Chicago. As Chief Executive, John has strengthened QPAC’s international profile and secured the annual, exclusive presentation of some of the world’s greatest performing arts companies, including the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, London Philharmonic Orchestra and exclusive seasons of the Paris Opera Ballet, Ballet Nacional de Cuba, the Hamburg Ballet, Hamburg State Opera, Hamburg Orchestra and the Russian Bolshoi Ballet.
His commitment to creative processes, learning and inclusion along with his extensive commercial experience has established John as an arts leader of international standing. In 2012 John was awarded the Honorary Degree of Doctor of the University from the Queensland University of Technology, Creative Industries in recognition of his distinguished service to the community. He is a passionate advocate of cultural diversity and social justice.
John has held positions with both state and national arts companies, and has served on numerous state and national boards.
Current Board Positions
· Vice President, Executive Council, Live Performance Australia
· Executive Councillor, Association of Asia Pacific Performing Arts Centres
· Member of the IMA Board (Institute of Modern Art)
· Member of the Griffith University Conservatorium of Music Advisory Council
· Member of the Helpmann Committee Musical Theatre Panel
· Member of Grin & Tonic Theatre Troupe Board
· Member of the Business South Bank Sustainability Committee
Awards
1998 Playlab Award for Outstanding New Work in Queensland
1996 Matilda Commendation for Community Programming, Brisbane Festival
1994 Matilda Commendation for Out of the Box Festival
1993 Matilda Commendation for production of THE WAKING HOUR
1992 Matilda Commendation for Out of the Box Festival
1991 Matilda Commendation for production of DANCING ON THE WALLS OF PARIS
1990 Matilda Commendation for production of LEGEND
1989 Matilda Commendation for production of THE SOLDIERS TALE