Deputy Editor and Performing Arts Editor Richard Watts OAM has announced he will be leaving ArtsHub next month after an illustrious 17-year career with the company.
Since starting with ArtsHub in May 2009, Watts has written more than 2000 articles across reviews, features, interviews and industry news and insight, advocating for the arts sector, asking tough questions and celebrating Australian and international artists with rigour, grace, enthusiasm and aplomb. He has also played a key role in the development of ArtsHub podcasts and mentored countless new and emerging contributors to the site.
In addition to his role at ArtsHub, Watts also presents the long-running weekly program SmartArts on Three Triple R FM, which first aired in December 2004. He is a life member of the Melbourne Queer Film Festival and a Melbourne Fringe Festival Living Legend, and was awarded the 2019 Sidney Myer Performing Arts Awards’ Facilitator’s Prize in early 2020.
Watts received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Green Room Awards Association in 2021, and a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in 2024.
‘My 17 years at ArtsHub have been rich, rewarding, challenging and demanding by turn,’ Watts said. ‘I’ve enjoyed representing and celebrating the sector, as well as holding it to account as the occasion demands.
‘I’m also tired, which is why I’ve decided to call it a day for now. I shall miss my colleagues and the job itself, but after a well-earned break it’s time for a new challenge – perhaps a return to arts management and administration, or perhaps something entirely new.’
Watts intends to rest and relax for a couple of months, including reconnecting with some long sidelined creative writing projects, before looking for his next job in the sector.
He plans to continue as Senior Contributing Writer with ArtsHub and ScreenHub in a freelance capacity, and will also continue presenting his weekly arts program on Three Triple R FM on Thursday mornings.
Paul Dalgarno, Head of Content at ArtsHub and ScreenHub, said: ‘To state the obvious, the loss of Richard is huge – as Deputy Editor and Performing Arts Editor, and with 17 years at the company, Richard has become practically synonymous with ArtsHub, rightly valued and recognised as a leading voice in Australian arts journalism and a credit to us, himself and the arts sector more broadly.
‘To say he’ll be missed is an understatement. It’s been a joy and education for me personally to work closely with Richard, as I’m sure it has been for all of our staff across the years and so many of our contributors.
‘We’ll be raising a glass, and probably shedding a tear, when the time comes, but for now, I just want to thank Richard for the many ways he has enriched our lives.’
Creative Hubs CEO Sol Wise said: ‘Thank you, Richard. From me personally, and on behalf of the Board, we are sincerely grateful for your 17 years with ArtsHub. Your dedication, passion, work ethic, resilience and unwavering support throughout the journey have been extraordinary.
‘It is difficult to sum up your invaluable contribution in a few words, other than to say: you are an ArtsHub legend!’
Watts’ last day with the company will be 3 July 2026.
