Brisbane Powerhouse CEO/Artistic Director Kate Gould to Depart for Adelaide Festival Centre.

A woman with shoulder-length brown hair stands confidently beside a series of vertical metal bars wearing a black long-sleeve top and dark pants. She has a slight smile, and the background is dimly lit.

27 MAR 2025

Brisbane Powerhouse today announced that CEO/Artistic Director Kate Gould will take up the role of CEO at the Adelaide Festival Centre.

Ms Gould will move to Adelaide in mid-2025 after four years transforming Brisbane Powerhouse into one of Australia’s major contemporary arts and entertainment venues and precinct.

Brisbane Powerhouse Chair, Valmay Hill, acknowledged Kate’s outstanding contributions: “On behalf of the Board, I congratulate Kate on the incredible impact she has made at Brisbane Powerhouse—both artistically and in reshaping the organisation. Under her leadership, she has
secured significant funding to launch new festivals and events that have enriched Brisbane’s cultural landscape.

She has introduced innovative year-round ventures, including Vertigo—Australia’s first vertical restaurant suspended 17 metres above ground; Pleasuredome—a semi-permanent handcrafted sailcloth venue; Powerhouse Store (P.S.)—a maker-led retail space showcasing artisanal creations; and Dendy Powerhouse Outdoor Cinema—offering quality outdoor film experiences with hi-fi headsets.”

Reflecting on her tenure, Kate Gould said: “It has been a privilege to lead Brisbane Powerhouse during this exciting period of growth. I am grateful to Brisbane City Council, the Board, and our exceptional team and partners, who have fearlessly embraced bold ideas and helped bring to life new festivals and events unlike anything the city has seen before. Among many highlights, 5,500 naked bodies on the Story Bridge for Spencer Tunick’s installation at the inaugural citywide Melt Festival 2024 was unforgettable. I will miss the sparkling river city.”

Brisbane’s Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner also praised Kate’s leadership: “I thank Kate for delivering on her dynamic vision for Brisbane Powerhouse, elevating it with landmark annual events and creating more to see and do for residents and visitors including Night Feast—a festival of feasting and art that attracts 160,000 people; the reimagined Melt festival and introduction of the OHM festival. Brisbane Powerhouse is a vibrant precinct that now welcomes one million visitors and stages 1,500 performances annually, generating a significant cultural and economic impact for our city.”

“Kate has been an outstanding leader in Queensland’s arts sector, propelling Brisbane Powerhouse to the forefront of Australia’s cultural scene. On behalf of Brisbane City Council, I thank her for her deep commitment to enriching Brisbane’s cultural life with exceptional artistic programming and for creating festivals that inspire and connect our community.”

Experience Brisbane Powerhouse