Penny Hutchinson

Penny Hutchinson was CEO of Arts Victoria for 13 years.

During her time at Arts Victoria, Penny played a significant role in the creation of arts policy and a range of new programs for the sector. She oversaw major cultural infrastructure projects that have changed Melbourne’s arts landscape.

These have included the opening of the Australian Centre for the Moving Image and NGV Australia in Federation Square, the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art complex, MTC Theatre and Melbourne Recital Centre in Southbank, as well as major redevelopments of the State Library of Victoria, NGV International, the Meat Market in North Melbourne, Heide Museum of Modern Art, and most recently Hamer Hall and the continuing evolution of the Southbank arts precinct.

She was instrumental in establishing significant new Victorian cultural organisations including Victorian Opera, Melbourne Recital Centre and The Wheeler Centre for Books, Writing and Ideas, and played a key role in major events and initiatives including the Melbourne Winter Masterpieces series, Melbourne’s bid to become a UNESCO City of Literature, White Night Melbourne and the forthcoming ambitious production of the Melbourne Ring Cycle.

Penny has served on several boards, including Melbourne Health, Medibank Private, the Federal Airports Corporation, the Victorian College of the Arts, Monash University, Tourism Victoria Board, Docklands Studios Melbourne and the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia.

Penny is currently on the board of the Australian National Academy of Music.

Penny has made a significant contribution to the Arts in Victoria of many years.

The award was presented by Jeanne Pratt.