Olly Arkins to Exit Australian Festival Association
The chief executive of Australia's peak industry association for music festivals will be stepping down at the end of this month following five years in the role. During a period when the live events sector was recovering from pandemic-related disruptions, Arkins worked to establish festivals as recognized cultural and economic drivers worthy of government attention and support.
Her tenure produced tangible results including revisions to New South Wales' Music Festivals Act, successful campaigns to increase federal funding through the Revive Live scheme, the introduction of drug-checking services at venues in Victoria and New South Wales, and renegotiated licensing terms benefiting festival organisers. According to the organisation's chair, these achievements transformed the industry from one uncertain of its future into one with influence in policy discussions and stronger relationships with regulators.
- Olly Arkins, CEO of the Australian Festival Association, is departing on August 21 after five years leading the industry body
- Her tenure saw major NSW legislative reforms, expanded government funding, drug-checking services at festivals, and improved regulatory relations
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Music festivals in Australia have had a rough few years, battered by the pandemic, rising insurance costs and a string of cancellations. The Australian Festival Association is the main industry body representing festival organisers, working to protect the sector's interests with governments and regulators. Olly Arkins has led the organisation as chief executive for the past five years.
During her time in charge, the association pushed for changes meant to help festivals survive and grow, including tweaks to licensing rules, moves to boost government funding, and the rollout of drug-checking services at some venues as a harm-reduction measure. These efforts were part of a broader push to get festivals treated as a serious cultural and economic contributor, rather than an afterthought in policy discussions.
The story matters because it marks a leadership change at a body that has played a visible role in shaping how the festival industry is regulated and supported in Australia, at a time when many in the sector are still finding their feet after a difficult stretch.