Arts stalwart and Executive Director of Brisbane-based independent production house The Little Red Company Katherine Hoepper has been named the 2023 CEW Hansen Executive Leader in the Arts scholar.
Katherine has over 25 years’ experience working with performing arts companies, festivals, independent artists and venues. Prior to arriving at The Little Red company she was Director of Programming at Brisbane Powerhouse and Executive Director of La Boite Theatre, Australia’s longest continually running theatre company and has previously worked for both Sydney Theatre Company and Queensland Theatre.
As this years CEW Hansen Executive Leader in the Arts scholar, Katherine will be supported to study an executive level course of her choosing – Stanford’s Executive Program for Non Profit Leaders.
The scholarship is made possible thanks to the support of Jane Hansen AO, who believes that an individual’s life trajectory should be guided by their determination to achieve their ambitions, regardless of any barriers.
“This is a great opportunity for women working across Australia in the Arts to further develop their managerial, financial, and strategic skills,” she says.
“Strong and effective leadership of the sector is so vital to its viability and sustainability – it is our culture and its voice at stake.”
Katherine is excited about the prospect of stepping back and thinking beyond the everyday challenges of managing an arts organisation.
“I’m excited to connect with international peers and understand how others are providing leadership to their teams and steering organisations in a climate of constant change,” she says.
“I am proud to work alongside so many amazing women in leadership roles in the Australian arts sector, and it is an honour to have been selected by the panel to receive the 2023 CEW Hansen Executive Leader Scholarship. I am especially thankful to Jane Hansen AO for recognising the unique professional challenges of women working in the arts and providing this career defining opportunity.”