REA arts + culture
Artistic Director & Co-CEO
A rare opportunity to lead, reimagine and redefine contemporary puppetry.
Spare Parts Puppet Theatre (SPPT) is seeking an exceptional Artistic Director & Co-CEO to lead one of Australia’s most respected and influential puppetry companies into its next chapter.
This is a rare opportunity to shape the artistic future of a nationally and internationally recognised organisation at a moment of significant growth and transformation. The role offers creative leadership, strategic influence and the chance to reimagine how puppetry and visual storytelling are made, shared and experienced by audiences of all ages.
About Spare Parts Puppet Theatre
Founded in 1981, Spare Parts Puppet Theatre is Western Australia’s longest-running theatre company and a leader in contemporary puppetry across Australia and beyond. For more than four decades, SPPT has created imaginative, distinctive work that resonates across generations, earning a reputation for artistic innovation, sector leadership and deep community connection.
Each year, SPPT presents seasons in Perth and tours regionally, nationally and internationally, engaging more than 200,000 people annually. Over its history, the company has created more than 80 new Australian works and performed to more than 2.4 million people worldwide.
SPPT’s practice spans ambitious in-theatre productions, large-scale outdoor festival works, touring repertoire for schools and venues, and a thriving Creative Learning program that introduces thousands of young people to live performance each year. The company also plays a critical role in artist development, delivering Australia’s only tertiary puppetry training in partnership with WAAPA, alongside residencies, masterclasses and professional pathways for emerging and established artists.
A moment of momentum
The past five years have marked a period of sustained growth and renewed purpose for SPPT. New mainstage works, expanded touring, large-scale festival commissions, sector-leading artist development initiatives and an increasingly ambitious Creative Learning program have all contributed to strong organisational momentum.
SPPT’s growth strategy is centred on six interconnected pillars – In Theatre, Festivals And Events, Digital Initiatives, Artist Development, Philanthropy and Partnerships and Creative Learning and Audience Engagement – supporting new forms of artistic exploration, deeper audience and partner engagement and expanded opportunities for artists and communities to participate in the company’s work. This activity is underpinned by a skilled team, a strong pool of creative collaborators and long-standing partnerships across the sector.
A new home, a new era
A defining milestone for the organisation is the opening of its new purpose-built home at the Ellie Eaton Pavilion, Claremont Showgrounds, in 2026. Supported by $5.3 million in State Government and Lotterywest funding, the new facility will include a 260-seat proscenium arch theatre, a flexible 200-seat studio space, creative learning facilities, workshops and offices – establishing a major new cultural hub for Western Australia.
The new venue creates extraordinary potential for artistic ambition, expanded programming, deeper community engagement and enhanced audience experiences. The incoming Artistic Director & Co-CEO will play a pivotal role in activating this space and shaping its artistic life from the outset.
The role
Working in close partnership with the Executive Director & Co-CEO and the Board, the Artistic Director & Co-CEO is the principal creative leader of Spare Parts Puppet Theatre. The role is responsible for defining and realising the company’s artistic vision while jointly guiding its organisational direction and long-term sustainability.
The Artistic Director & Co-CEO leads programming across mainstage seasons, touring, festivals, digital platforms and creative learning, champions excellence and innovation in puppetry, and nurtures artists at all stages of their careers. As a public ambassador for Spare Parts, the role builds and sustains relationships with artists, presenters, festivals, funders and partners locally, nationally and internationally.
This is a leadership position that combines creative imagination with strategic rigour – balancing artistic ambition with financial, operational and organisational realities during a period of growth and transition.
Who we’re looking for
We are seeking an imaginative, collaborative and experienced artistic leader with a deep commitment to puppetry. The successful candidate will bring:
- A compelling artistic vision and a strong record of creating, commissioning or leading high-quality work
- Senior artistic leadership experience within puppetry or related performance context
- The ability to deliver engaging artistic outcomes across multiple platforms and communities
- Strong people leadership skills and a commitment to inclusive, ethical and safe creative practice
- Strategic capability and experience working with boards, partners and stakeholders
- The confidence to represent SPPT as a national and international leader in the artform
How to apply
Interested applicants are encouraged to contact REA arts + culture to obtain a detailed Candidate Pack and to have a confidential discussion about the role and their potential candidacy.
Applications close before 9.00am (AWST), Friday 13 February 2025.
Vanessa Duscio I Richard Evans
All enquiries will be treated in strict confidence.
Spare Parts Puppet Theatre is committed to equity and inclusion. We strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, people with a disability, mature age workers and LGBTIQA+ people.
Location
The full-time position is based between Walyalup, Fremantle and Gaalbamaanup, Claremont.
Contract entitlements
Spare Parts Puppet Theatre is offering a Fixed-Term, Full-Time contract for three years with an extension of a further two years subject to mutual agreement, with a competitive salary package commensurate with experience of the candidate, 4 weeks annual leave.
Other relevant information
As a performing arts institution, and venue on the horizon, the leadership position will involve irregular hours including evenings and weekends and considerable flexibility will be required.
