MRC Appoints Acclaimed Festival Director and Artistic Leader Iain Grandage AM as its next Director of Programming.
Melbourne Recital Centre is thrilled to announce the appointment of Iain Grandage AM as its Director of Programming, bringing exceptional artistic vision and enterprising expertise to Australia's beating heart of live music.
The appointment comes at a pivotal moment, as Melbourne Recital Centre prepares for ambitious expansion with the launch of the Peter and Ruth McMullin Beacon in 2026 and the upcoming Melbourne Arts Precinct Transformation completion in 2028.
Grandage's distinctive leadership will guide the Centre through this exciting phase, positioning it at the forefront of Victoria’s live music landscape.
Appointed as a Member of the Order of Australia in the recent King's Birthday Honours, Grandage brings to the Centre a remarkable track record of artistic excellence and innovation and completing a celebrated five-year tenure as Artistic Director of Perth Festival. Grandage’s leadership transformed the festival with a sweeping sense of place, championing Noongar artists and stories alongside large-scale events including the iconic Highway to Hell. This commitment to both cultural authenticity and bold programming perfectly aligns with Melbourne Recital Centre's vision of amplifying Australia's diverse live music ecology.
Grandages’s programming expertise spans extraordinary breadth - from curating the fine music program for Adelaide Festival (Chamber Landscapes) to developing cross-cultural collaborations that have travelled internationally. As a composer and conductor, Grandage has created groundbreaking works including the Victorian Opera production of his opera The Riders based on Tim Winton's novel, and Setan Jawa, a silent film score for orchestra and Gamelan written alongside Rahayu Suppangah that premiered at AsiaTOPA and toured to Holland, Singapore, Berlin and London. His ability to creatively bridge musical worlds while maintaining artistic integrity demonstrates the visionary approach that will define Melbourne Recital Centre's programming future.
Melbourne Recital Centre CEO Sandra Willis shared her delight with Grandage’s appointment:
"Iain's appointment is a significant milestone for Melbourne Recital Centre. As an inspiring collaborator, he will bring a new curatorial vision to this premier venue with innovative ideas that celebrate our creative community together. Iain excels at crafting transformative experiences that honour place and story while connecting artists with audiences. Known for his diverse collaborations across classical and contemporary music, his infectious energy champions exceptional talent. With the upcoming Peter and Ruth McMullin Beacon and Melbourne Arts Precinct expansions, Iain's vision will capitalise on these exciting opportunities, enhancing MRC's legacy of rich, diverse, and deeply engaging programs for all."
The appointment reinforces Melbourne Recital Centre's commitment to securing world-class artistic experiences that deepen audience engagement while expanding the Centre's collaborative reach across the arts ecosystem. Grandage's extensive experience spans orchestral conducting, opera, contemporary music, and innovative cross-cultural collaborations, perfectly suited to MRC’s diverse program of experiences.
His track record also demonstrates exceptional ability to develop artist relationships across genres and cultures. Having conducted orchestras in London, Berlin, Amsterdam and around Australia for projects with acclaimed artists including Gurrumul, Kate Miller-Heidke, Meow Meow and Tim Minchin, Grandage understands how to meaningfully serve artists and audiences together. His work as music director for critically acclaimed productions including Sydney Theatre Company's The Secret River and Opera Australia's The Rabbits showcases his talent for bringing together diverse creative voices to deliver transformative experiences.
Incoming Director of Programming at Melbourne Recital Centre, Iain Grandage expressed:
"I'm deeply honoured to join Melbourne Recital Centre at such an exciting and pivotal time in its evolution. The Centre's commitment to music experiences that transform lives and enhance Victoria’s live music community resonates deeply with my own artistic and curatorial philosophy. I'm looking forward to building on the strong foundations and working with the brilliant MRC team to curate programs that celebrate Australia's rich musical diversity while also building new pathways for artists and audiences to connect. The opportunities ahead - with new spaces, partnerships, and the broader precinct transformation - present a wonderful canvas for reimagining what's possible in live music presentation."
Melbourne Recital Centre’s Board Chair Peter McMullin AM emphasised the strategic importance of the appointment:
"Iain's track record of visionary leadership and his deep understanding of both artistic excellence and audience connection position him greatly to steer MRC’s programming of live music experiences through this transformational period. His ability to champion emerging voices while presenting work of international calibre aligns seamlessly with our commitment to ensuring Melbourne Recital Centre remains Australia's preeminent destination for music in all its diversity. "
Grandage's distinguished career includes prestigious recognition as 2023 West Australian of the Year for Culture and the Arts and recipient of the Sidney Myer Performing Arts Award. His compositional and conducting work has earned international acclaim, with performances across Australia, Europe, and Asia. Notable achievements include Helpmann Award-winning collaborations with artists including Meow Meow, conducting for the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, and creating groundbreaking works that bridge cultural traditions.
The appointment strengthens Melbourne Recital Centre's position as it celebrates 16 years as a cultural cornerstone and creative force. Since opening in 2009, the Centre has evolved beyond a venue to become a community ignited by music's power to unite, transform, and transcend. Backed by the Victorian State Government and vital philanthropic support of its community, the Centre continues to fulfil its founding vision that music transforms lives.
As MRC’s Director of Programming, Grandage will oversee the Centre's artistic vision across performance offerings, develop strategic partnerships that broaden collaborative reach while ensuring programming excellence that serves both established and emerging audiences. His leadership will be instrumental in leveraging new facilities and precinct developments to expand the Centre's cultural influence and impact.
Iain Grandage AM commences as MRC's Director of Programming on 28 July 2025.