Professor Ruth Rentschler OAM
Australian Dance Theatre
Australian Dance Theatre (ADT) is pleased to announce the appointment of a new Chair to oversee its continued growth and expanding commitment to local and national contemporary dance.
Professor Ruth Rentschler OAM, a current Professor of Arts and Cultural Leaderhship at the University of South Auatralia and with more than 20 years of experience in governance in the not-for-profit sector, replaces Mr. David Stobbe who will continue as a non-executive member of the Board.
“There are few people in Australia who bring Ruth’s depth of arts governance experience and expertise to a leadership role of this nature,” said Mr. Nick Hays, Executive Director, ADT.
“Ruth has been a Board member and Deputy Chair at ADT for five years, so she has a very deep knowledge of the company.
“Combine that with her outstanding background across almost every aspect of governance and her personal passion for the arts, and Ruth will be a great support as ADT goes forward.”
Professor Rentschler OAM said she was delighted and humbled to take up the senior position.
“I am looking forward to taking a great South Australian iconic contemporary dance company forward.” said Prof. Rentschler.
“ADT means so much to so many and with our new Artistic Director, Daniel Riley, at the helm, it’s an exciting period of transition and change not only for the company but also for Adelaide and indeed, the State.
“The creative industries were hit hard by COVID-19. Putting art back where it belongs – centre stage – is part and parcel of who I am and what I seek to do to take ADT to an outstanding level of success.
“I also thank David (former Chair) for his dedication and commitment to the role and I am delighted he is staying on the Board as his contribution is significant.”
Current Board member, Ms. Chloe Tanner has assumed the role of Deputy Chair.
About Prof. Ruth Rentschler
Ruth Rentschler OAM (BA Hons Melbourne; PhD Monash) is an industry leader and academic. Ruth focuses her work on diversity and inclusion in the context of arts and culture. Projects include those on boosting audiences for Aboriginal art with the Australia Council for the Arts; social inclusion in times of terror with the Islamic Museum of Australia; social inclusion in arts and disability with Restless Dance Theatre; and building better non-profit boards through advocacy, diversity and inclusion.
Ruth has a history of sitting on arts and other non-profit boards, demonstrated by her quality national and international profile, supported by her international standing as a researcher (H index=33). She has
served on 16 boards, such as Deakin University council, Chancellor’s Advisory Committee, Vic Health (ministerial appointment), Multicultural Arts Victoria, Duldig Museum & Sculpture Garden, Art Gallery of Ballarat and currently Australian Dance Theatre and No String Attached Theatre of Disability, where she holds leadership roles as a trusted and authentic leader.
As Professor Arts & Cultural Leadership at UniSA, Ruth has significant experience working on special research projects with government and non-profits, such as most recently Department of Premier & Cabinet, Adelaide Festival Centre, Arts South Australia, Office of the Arts, to name a few. Recent funded projects on Australia-China Arts and Cultural Engagement and Exchange, Arts Festivals, tourism and the Rise of the Arts and Arts and Technology are high impact projects nationally and internationally.
She has received various honours and awards, such as Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Service to the Community, Best Doctoral Superviser Award, Cutting Red Tape Award and an Order of Australia for services to education, the arts and the community.
