Advertising executive and former Sydney Swans and Opera Australia director Robert Morgan has been appointed Chair of the Australia Council.

Mr Morgan will hold the role for three years.

Arts minister Paul Fletcher says Mr Morgan will provide critical leadership to the arts funding body and Australia’s creative and cultural sector at a challenging time for the arts in Australia.

He said as the long time executive chair of advertising and marketing company Clemenger Mr Morgan would bring great expertise and passion to the job.

Mr Fletcher said Commonwealth funding for the arts is higher than ever before and he looked forward to the role Mr Morgan would play in supporting the government’s strategic priorities for the arts, including making them more accessible to all Australians. 

“This is a key arts appointment at a key time for the arts sector. COVID hit the sector hard, but rebuilding is well under way.

“I know that under the leadership of Robert Morgan, and Chief Executive Adrian Collette, the Australia Council will have a strong and continuing reform agenda.”

Mr Morgan said it was an honour to be appointed to a body that played such a unique and important role in the Australian arts sector.

 “I have spent my career in a sector focussed on creativity and believe deeply in the artistic and creative excellence we have in this country,” he said.

Mr Morgan takes over from outgoing chair Sam Walsh who has spent five years leading the organisation.