A major coup for Lutruwita/Tasmania, Ten Days on the Island appoints highly acclaimed new Artistic Director.

Acclaimed festival director Marnie Karmelita will become the next Artistic Director of the biennial statewide arts festival, Ten Days on the Island.

Chair of Ten Days on the Island, Mr Craig Perkins said that the organisation is thrilled to welcome Ms Karmelita to lead festivals 2025 and 2027.

“Ten Days on the Island is very fortunate to have someone of Marnie’s calibre join our team. We have a commitment and history of producing, developing, and delivering art across Lutruwita/Tasmania at the highest international quality. We have no doubt that Marnie will continue this exciting journey with us” commented Mr Perkins.

Marnie’s extensive experience of major Australian and international arts Festivals, and deep understanding of contemporary performance practices is an ideal fit with Ten Days on the Island’s vision for Tasmania’s original arts festival.

Appointed to the role of Creative Director of the New Zealand Festival Trust (since renamed Tāwhiri) in 2018, Marnie currently co-leads the organisation’s creative vision and strategy across the entire portfolio of festivals and events alongside Director Ngā Toi Māori Mere Boynton, including the biennial Aotearoa New Zealand Festival of the Arts, the annual Wellington Jazz Festival and the biennial Lexus Song Quest.

Before joining the New Zealand Festival, Marnie was Programming Director at Brisbane Powerhouse, leading major special projects and festivals, including the inaugural IRL Digital Festival and Wonderland festivals, as well as the established WTF (World Theatre Festival). In the United States, she was responsible for developing and leading an annual multi-artform program reflecting contemporary arts practice at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill as Director of Programming of Carolina Performing Arts.

Whilst there, Marnie produced the landmark 2012/13 season commemorating the centennial anniversary of the premiere of The Rite of Spring, which presented 11 commissions including nine world premieres and two US premieres. In Australia, she held roles at Black Swan State Theatre Company, followed by six years at the Perth Festival where she oversaw four annual festivals as Program Manager.

With a passion for working together with artists to nurture new works and stretch the boundaries of performance, she believes the arts are transformational and make an inordinate contribution to our society. She particularly strives to bring audiences closer to the artistic process, so we can all tap into our creativity.

Commenting on the appointment, Marnie said;
“Ten Days on the Island offers an opportunity and the challenge of one of the most unique festivals in the world: a whole of state remit and a playground of extraordinary locations. I feel privileged to be joining the team of Ten Days, continuing the legacy of storytelling from Lutruwita/Tasmania in a communal celebration of transcendence and creativity. I’m excited to get started, to meet and talk to everyone who has a connection to this festival and to work with the artistic community, allowing the unique perspective of this remarkable place to set a global agenda.”

Marnie will commence as Artistic Director of Ten Days on the Island in June and will relocate to Lutruwita/Tasmania from Aotearoa New Zealand later this year.

Marnie will continue in the part time role of Creative Director until March 2024 working alongside the Tāwhiri team to deliver the Wellington Jazz Festival in 2023 and her final Aotearoa New Zealand Festival of the Arts in early 2024.