Darwin Festival has announced the appointment of its new Artistic Director. Arts leader and performer Ben Graetz will take over the role ahead of the 2027 Festival and lead the organisation through its 50th year in 2029.

Ben Graetz. Photo supplied

Born and raised in Darwin, Graetz is a prominent arts leader, director, performer and writer with more than 28 years of experience in Australian and international performing arts. A descendent of the Iwaidja and Malak Malak clans in the Northern Territory and Badu Island, he is the founder and Creative Director of both Garrmalang Festival and BRG Productions.

He has held leadership and advisory roles with Creative Australia, Theatre Network Autralia and the Brisbane Powerhouse, and has worked with international organisations including the International Society of Performing Arts, Western Arts Allicance and the National Arts Centre Canada.

In 2019, he was awarded First Nation Person of the Year at the Darwin Pride Awards, an Artist of the Year at the LGBTIQ Australia Awards. Graetz is well known in the drag community as Miss Ellaneous.

He was Creative Director of the National Indigenous Music Awards and was Co-Festival Creative Director for Sydney WorldPride 2023, and has programmed for MELT Festival, Sugarbag Festival, Yirramboi Festival, Ilbijerri Theatre Company and the Darwin Enteratinment Centre.

“I love Darwin, I love the Territory and I cannot wait to work with the team to keep celebrating our community and everything that makes Darwin unique and extraordinary,” said Graetz.

The 2026 Darwin Festival takes place from 5–23 August.

More about Darwin Festival can be found here.