The Southern Lakes Arts Festival Trust has announced the appointment of Charlie Unwin as executive director of the Festival of Colour and Aspiring Conversations. 

The new position replaces the general manager role previously held by Laura Williamson.

Charlie grew up in Wānaka, and although he has lived and worked all over New Zealand, he still calls Wānaka home. 

He has more than 26 years' experience working in the professional performing arts as an actor, producer and director; has successfully delivered over 20 festivals around New Zealand; and he has worked internationally with some of the biggest names in the industry.

As well as his role as executive director of the Festival of Colour, Charlie is also the director of the Dunedin Arts Festival and chair of the Performing Arts Network Of New Zealand (PANNZ). 

He's looking forward to working on his "home festival".

Charlie will be working alongside Philip Tremewan, who is programming the 2022 Aspiring Conversation festival of ideas, and Sophie Kelly, the new artistic director of the Festival of Colour arts festival.

Philip said he was delighted Charlie had been appointed and outgoing general manager Laura Williamson said she was thrilled to leave the festival in such capable hands.

“We’ve made huge strides over the past few years, especially growing the Festival of Colour’s free community and street programme, as well as engaging with younger and more diverse audiences through both festivals,” Laura said.

“Sophie and Charlie are the right leaders to carry on with this work, and take our events to a new level.”

Charlie will also be supported by Wānaka’s Abbey Lewis and Anna McConville.

Laura said festival fans will not have seen the last of her: “Our former general manager, Lindsey Schofield, has been working in the box office, and I’m sure I’ll be back in some capacity too. Our festivals are fantastic events, and I hope to stay involved.”

The Southern Lakes Arts Festival Trust runs two biennial festivals in the Wānaka region. The three-day Aspiring Conversations festival of ideas takes place March 24-27, 2022, and the next week-long Festival of Colour arts festival will run in April 2023.

PHOTOS: Supplied/Tim Cuff