Marc Carnes Appointed As New CEO of Adelaide Fringe

The appointment comes after Heather Croall stepped down from the role after more than a decade in charge.

After several months of searching, Adelaide Fringe has finally found its new leader, appointing Canadian arts and culture leader Marc Carnes as its new Chief Executive Officer.

Carnes joins Australia’s biggest arts festival on Wednesday 1 July after more than two decades working across arts, culture, fringe festivals, audience development, media, tourism and the creative economy in Canada.

His most recent position was as CEO of listener-supported CKUA Radio, Alberta’s voice for music, arts and culture. He was there for eight years and helped transform Canada’s oldest public broadcaster during that period.

Carnes has also worked extensively in the fringe festival sector, having served as Chair of the Board of Directors of the Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Society, the organisation behind the Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival, North America’s largest and longest-running Fringe festival.

Adelaide Fringe Chair Paul Hamra said Carnes’ appointment followed an extensive search for a leader with the right mix of cultural, commercial and community-focused experience.

“The Adelaide Fringe is a special institution and we have been searching very wide for a special leader. Someone who could recognise and celebrate the position Fringe has attained and build it further for artists, audiences and venues over the next five years.”

“As CEO, Marc will work closely with Adelaide Fringe’s existing executive team to grow audiences and continue strengthening the festival’s position as a major cultural and economic driver for South Australia and the nation.”

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Carnes is excited to be appointed to lead Adelaide Fringe and bring his own flavour to the festival.

“I believe passionately in the role the arts have in building communities rich in stories and experiences that bring us together. Adelaide Fringe is one of those rare cultural organisations that belongs deeply to its artists, its audiences and its city. To be invited to help steward something of that scale, history and impact is a real privilege.

“I come to this role with enormous admiration and respect for the artists, venues, staff, partners and community who have built Adelaide Fringe into Australia’s biggest arts festival. It is an artist-led festival at its heart, and I see the role of CEO as one of custodianship, listening closely, learning deeply and understanding how my experience across arts, culture, tourism and audience development can best serve the people who make the festival what it is.”

Carnes will officially commence as Chief Executive Officer on Wednesday 1 July 2026, with his first Adelaide Fringe festival as CEO taking place in 2027. Acting CEO of Adelaide Fringe Tara MacLeod will remain in the role until Marc takes over in July.