Nancy Bennison to be new Director of Ainslie+Gorman

23 May 2025

The Board of Arts Capital is pleased to announce that Nancy Bennison will be the new Chief Executive Officer of Arts Capital Limited and Director of Ainslie+Gorman.

Ms Bennison, who has more than 20 years of executive leadership experience across the cultural, corporate and government sectors, will commence her role on 23 June 2025.

“As a long-standing Canberran, I appreciate the essential role Ainslie+Gorman plays in the fabric of our community. I am delighted to be appointed to this role,” she said.

Chair of Arts Capital, Lauren Honcope, said:

“The Board has found in Nancy the very positive, highly-skilled and dedicated leader we sought, to lead our wonderful, experienced team, and to continue and build on the creative, strategic and ethical leadership which has been a hallmark throughout the recent years of restructure and re-focus. Nancy’s understanding of and great commitment to our mission – to nurture safe and vibrant spaces for creativity to thrive – are compelling and augur well for the future of Ainslie+Gorman and Arts Capital. The Board and team look forward to working with her.”

Ainslie+Gorman, based in Canberra on Ngunnawal country, are embarking on a new chapter of growth and renewal. With centenary renovations now underway at Gorman, strong and experienced leadership is critical to the next iteration of these iconic arts centres.

Ms Bennison is an established corporate and cultural leader. Most recently, she served as Chief of Staff at the Australian National Maritime Museum, where she was instrumental in developing the strategic framework and overseeing operational transformation. Previously, as Acting CEO of the National Film and Sound Archive, Bennison secured the largest federal funding investment in the NFSA’s history, to digitise Australia’s audiovisual cultural heritage. A Chartered Accountant (CA ANZ) and a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD), Ms Bennison has a reputation as a clear communicator, values-led leader, and strategic thinker who builds strong teams and enduring partnerships across government, creative industries, and community sectors.

“I am particularly proud of our local talent – established and emerging,” she says. “The exchange between artists and communities that has taken place within these walls for over forty years is fascinating. Bringing this rich history together with contemporary programming and practice is incredibly exciting to me.

I am looking forward to working with the committed and experienced team at Arts Capital and the artists in residence at Ainslie+Gorman to providing spaces for creativity – in all its forms – to grow and thrive.”

Ms Bennison’s appointment follows the recent leadership of Carly Davenport Acker, who stabilised the organisation through major structural and cultural shifts, laying the groundwork for renewed strategic focus. With capital works progressing and a fresh strategic plan in place, Arts Capital is well placed to serve Canberra’s creative communities with diligence, enthusiasm and contemporary perspectives.

The Board extends its thanks to Acting CEO Lachlan Johnson for his positive and steady leadership during this transition period. Mr Johnson will continue his role as the highly-valued Chief Operating Officer of Arts Capital.