Fremantle Biennale Appoints Curator and Announces Chair Handover

Fremantle Biennale is pleased to announce the appointment of Annika Kristensen as Curator for the Fremantle Biennale. Kristensen will work closely with Artistic Director and Co-Founder Tom Mùller and Executive Producer Katherine Wilkinson in shaping the artistic vision and public program for the next edition.

Annika Kristensen is an experienced curator with a strong focus on commissioning new work by contemporary artists. Most recently, she was Visual Arts Curator at Perth Festival (2023–2024). Previously, she served as Senior Curator at the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art (ACCA), Melbourne, where she worked with leading Australian and international artists to commission new work and curate major solo and group exhibitions. Kristensen has also held roles with the Biennale of Sydney, Artangel, Frieze Art Fair, and other leading cultural organisations in Australia and the UK. She holds an MSc in Art History, Theory and Display from the University of Edinburgh.

“I am delighted to be joining the Fremantle Biennale at such a compelling moment. Returning to Perth after many years spent interstate and overseas, I have been thrilled to witness the growth of this organisation and the excitement that it brings to Walyalup (Fremantle). I’m looking forward to continuing the incredible work that the Biennale has done, working collaboratively with artists and communities to realise ambitious projects grounded in place and connected to the world,” said Kristensen.

Alongside this appointment, Mùller and Wilkinson are leading a suite of new initiatives that extend the Biennale’s local, regional, and international engagement. These include Night Rise, a new program supported by Creative Australia, which connects contemporary art experiences with the dark sky places of Western Australia. The Biennale will also continue its international focus through Shared Skies, a long-term bilateral program with India and a first-of-its-kind intercontinental collaboration centred on the Dark Sky Reserves of Australia and India. Shared Skies is supported by the Australian Government through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Centre for Australia–India Relations, fostering artistic exchange and cultural dialogue through the shared human experience of the night sky.

Fremantle Biennale also marks the official handover of its Chair of the Board, with Pete Stone concluding an eight-year tenure and Ella McNeill appointed as incoming Chair.

“I am thrilled that Ella is taking over the role of Chair and Annika as Curator. The last few years have been a time of growth for the Biennale and the future looks bright, with new opportunities on the horizon locally and across the globe. Ella is the right person to lead the organisation with Tom, Kat, and the board through this next stage of development, and I wish her well. I would like to acknowledge all the hard work and support of the staff, volunteers, supporters, partners, and my fellow board members over the last eight years. I am looking forward to the next chapter,” said Stone.

Ella McNeill is an arts leader whose work bridges creative excellence and social purpose. With experience across the private, public, and not-for-profit sectors, she has worked with leading arts organisations globally. Ella is a Director of Kāru and a board member of the Fremantle Biennale and the Centre for Asylum Seekers, Refugees and Detainees, and is an advocate for the transformative potential of artistic practice.

“It’s an exciting time at the Fremantle Biennale, and I’m honoured to be stepping into the role of Chair. Pete leaves behind a strong legacy and solid foundation for what’s ahead. I’m looking forward to working with Tom, Katherine, and Annika to continue delivering exceptional experiences for artists and audiences, both here and afar,” said McNeill.