Claire Spencer AM is a leading force in the Australian arts industry. Formerly CEO of Sydney Opera House, Claire moved to Melbourne to lead the team at Arts Centre Melbourne.

As CEO Claire has steered Arts Centre Melbourne through a major restructure to to assist with its key role as a leader in the cultural precinct and a major contributor to Victoria’s creative economy. Key projects have included: the launch of the ground-breaking Asia-Pacific Triennial of Performing Arts (Asia TOPA), delivered in collaboration with more than 30 Victorian organisations from across the cultural sector; the development of the Australian Music Vault; and the establishment of the Arts Wellbeing Collective, which promotes strong individual wellbeing for those who work in the arts sector.

Claire is currently leading a major redevelopment of Arts Centre Melbourne, including refurbishment of the Theatres Building and the addition of a new campus featuring workshop, studio and education spaces, an expanded Australian Music Vault gallery, and a major new gallery celebrating Australia’s performing arts history. The project is the centrepiece of a $1 billion transformation of the Melbourne Arts Precinct announced by the Victorian Government in June 2018. Claire is a Member of Chief Executive Women – the pre-eminent organisation representing Australia’s most senior women leaders from the corporate, public service, academic and not-for-profit sectors; she is on the board of The Pinnacle Foundation, established to provide scholarships and mentoring support to lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer and intersex students who are marginalised or disadvantaged; and is also a member of the Australian Government’s Australia–Singapore Arts Group. Claire is married with three children. Her outstanding contribution to the performing arts was recognised in the 2020 Australia Day honours list in which Claire was conferred a Member of the Order of Australia award.https://www.artscentremelbourne.com.au/about-us/our-team-the-executive-and-the-trust