Jo Thomas3 CEO and Creative Director Metro Arts

Organisation/Company

Name: Metro Arts

My Role: CEO and Creative Director

Metro Arts is developing the future of Australian contemporary arts practice, now.

Championing all contemporary art forms, the two core activities of the organisation are developing and co-presenting contemporary arts.

Within Metro Arts’ multiple venues, there are artists taking risks, creating, developing, experimenting, and presenting ambitious contemporary art. In addition to the artistic program Metro Arts supports the wider artistic community with low cost short and long term venue hire for creative businesses, photo shoots, rehearsals, exhibitions, performances, auditions, forums, celebrations and more.

Metro Arts’ new home at West Village presents an annual program of contemporary and experimental performing and visual arts. This new hub for West End’s diverse community is the place in Brisbane to experience the work of contemporary artists ranging from the emerging to the mid-career and the established.

Iwi affiliation

Australian

Rohe

After many years of travelling and living all over the place I currently live in the very beautiful lands of the Turubal and Jagerra peoples in Meanjin (Brisbane, Australia) where I am Creative Director and CEO of Metro Arts.

How I got where I am today

I worked for many years as a creator and performer whilst also producing my own work. I was able to transition into producing other people's works and have held positions with CIRCA, Queensland Music Festival and Brisbane Festival to name a few. A few years ago I completed an MFA at NIDA in Sydney in Cultural Leadership.

Whānau

The Board, the team, the artists, the community I work with are all passionate. They believe in the power of art to make a difference and they believe in pushing the status quo to do things better!

Something cool

David Byrne's "American Utopia" directed by Spike Lee was the first film I saw when the cinemas reopened after Covid shut-downs. It was a joy, a revelation, a wonderful creative journey. Really hoping the live show does another touring circuit!

The Performing Arts Network of New Zealand (PANNZ) Arts Market is New Zealand's premiere event for artists, producers, presenters and industry leaders from across the performing arts sector.

New Zealand
Feb 28 2022 To Mar 03 2022

The Performing Arts Network of New Zealand (PANNZ) Arts Market is New Zealand's premiere event for artists, producers, presenters and industry leaders from across the performing arts sector. 

Auckland
Feb 22 2021 To Mar 05 2021

Arts Ablaze was a conference and celebration of regional arts in Queensland taking place at Ramada Resort Kooralbyn Valley on Wednesday 2 to Sunday 6 October 2019.

Ramada Resort Kooralbyn Valley
Oct 02 2019 To Oct 04 2019