Susan Provan to Step Down as Melbourne International Comedy Festival Director After 30 Years
The Melbourne International Comedy Festival (MICF) has revealed that Susan Provan AO will resign from her roles as Festival Director and CEO later this year. Since 1995, Provan has been at the helm, elevating the festival to become the largest comedy festival worldwide and a prominent venue for fostering comedy audiences and careers. Throughout her thirty-year career, she has supported Australian comedy and mentored emerging artists. ArtsHub shared this news, along with updates on new appointments in the arts sector, including a fresh board for a Sydney gallery. The piece also highlights opportunities, grants, and awards available for creatives from 27 April to 2 May 2026, and includes commentary by Claire G Coleman on a First Nations writer's book being pulped by UQP.
Key facts
- Susan Provan AO will step down as Festival Director and CEO of Melbourne International Comedy Festival later this year.
- Provan has led MICF since 1995.
- Under Provan, MICF became the world's largest dedicated comedy festival.
- MICF is a globally recognized platform for developing comedy audiences and careers.
- The article reports on a diverse new board joining a Sydney gallery.
- Opportunities for 27 April to 2 May 2026 include residencies, writing prizes, and grants.
- Claire G Coleman writes about UQP pulping a children's book by a First Nations writer.
- WA Arts Minister released key components of arts funding plans for 2026-27.
Entities
Artists
- Susan Provan AO
- Richard Watts OAM
- Claire G Coleman
- Jazz Money
- Evelyn Araluen
Institutions
- Melbourne International Comedy Festival
- ArtsHub
- UQP
- Melbourne Queer Film Festival
- Melbourne Fringe Festival
- Green Room Awards Association
- Sidney Myer Performing Arts Awards
- Three Triple R FM
Locations
- Melbourne
- Australia
- Sydney
- WA