Critical Path is delighted to welcome Adrian Burnett as our new Chair.
A highly respected artistic leader with extensive national and international experience in dance and the cultural industries, Adrian Burnett is an award-winning choreographer and leading Dance Artist who graduated from The Australian Ballet School and had a distinguished career at the Australian Ballet including roles such as Senior Artist, Resident Choreographer, Guest Teacher, and Executive Producer.
Beyond the stage, Adrian has leveraged his extensive networks and art-form expertise to inform grant programs, strategic initiatives, and policy outcomes, particularly during his tenure as Director of Dance and Multi-art form at Creative Australia (formerly the Australia Council for the Arts).
Currently, he continues to champion the arts as the Senior Curator and Producer of New Annual, the flagship arts and cultural festival for the City of Newcastle. In addition to his numerous roles, Adrian is a Board Director for the Australian Ballet School, contributing to the future of dance education in Australia.
On joining Critical Path. he said:
I am thrilled to join Critical Path as Chair. The organisation is crucial to independent dance in NSW and across Australia. My enthusiasm stems from a deep appreciation of the organisation’s mission and its integral role in the dance community.
Critical Path’s dedication to nurturing and empowering independent Australian choreographers aligns with my commitment to fostering artistic integrity, courage, and innovation in the arts. What truly motivates me is being a part of a community that champions the creative potential of risk-taking and champions diverse perspectives and practices within the world of dance and choreography.
Critical Path is renowned as an incubator for groundbreaking work and a ‘centre’ where the independent dance sector can gather, collaborate, engage in stimulating debates, and offer critical insights. This reputation is not only inspiring but also indispensable to the continued growth of contemporary dance in Australia.
With Director Agnès Michelet, the staff and board, I eagerly anticipate the opportunity to support Critical Path’s mission to nurture the growth of independent dance, pushing the boundaries of contemporary practice and inspiring both artists and audiences.
Image Credit: photo by Gregory Anderson