It is with great sadness that NIDA acknowledges the passing of Fiona Winning, an outstanding cultural leader whose contribution to the arts in Australia has been profound.
Fiona was instrumental in establishing NIDA’s Master of Fine Arts (Cultural Leadership) a decade ago, co-designing the program and teaching in early years with great generosity. She believed passionately that cultural leadership is grounded in collaboration, care, and service to community. Through her work, Fiona inspired and mentored a generation of cultural leaders who continue to carry her values forward.
Her influence has been transformative across the sector. As Director of Performance Space, she oversaw its transition to Carriageworks and launched the inaugural LiveWorks festival, as Head of Programming at Sydney Festival and then at Sydney Opera House, as well as her work as an independent consultant, she shaped programs that broadened Australia’s cultural horizons.
Fiona’s legacy lives on in the leaders she nurtured, the artists she mentored, the institutions she strengthened, and the communities she so deeply served. She will be remembered for her vision, warmth, and unwavering commitment to equity and creativity. Fiona will be greatly missed by all of us at NIDA, and by the broader arts community.