The Melbourne Arts Centre has today announced that Jonathan Mills will be its International Artistic Adviser until at least the end of 2012.

There is potential for the Australian composer’s role to be extend for a further three years beyond that. Mills is currently the director of the Edinburgh International Festival, and this new engagement required an agreement to be reached with the Scottish festival.

Mills has been enlisted to “support the strategic development of the Arts Centre’s artistic programming and provide ideas and suggestions for specific programming events.” One of the major events to fall within Mills’ tenure is the reopening of Hamer Hall next year – an event that will, no doubt, benefit from his experience in programming.

“I am excited to be able to be involved with the Arts Centre and work in partnership with them to further strengthen the artistic direction and continued expansion of the Arts Centre,” said Mills.

In addition to his recent work at Edinburgh, Mills has previously worked as Artistic Director of the Melbourne International Arts Festival, the Melbourne Federation Festival, the Melbourne Millennium Eve celebrations and the Brisbane Biennial International Music Festival. As a composer, he also receives regular commissions, both in...