Our New CEO: Dr Louise Buckingham

The Arts Law Centre of Australia has appointed Dr Louise Buckingham as the new CEO of the nation’s only community legal centre dedicated to providing legal advice and support to the arts community.

Dr Buckingham is a highly credentialled lawyer and academic with a 23-year career specialising in Intellectual Property law and Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property.

She succeeds esteemed CEO, Robyn Ayres, who is stepping down after two decades of exemplary service.

The Hon. Justice John Sackar, President and Chair of the Board, said it was a privilege to welcome Dr Buckingham to Arts Law. He and the Board looked forward to working together to advance Arts Law’s mission of empowering creative communities through the law.

“Throughout her career, Louise has been a champion for artists’ rights in Australia and we are thrilled she will continue to carry on this work as our CEO,” he said.

“We are confident she will lead the team in an exciting direction and, working with our key stakeholders and supporters, build on the strong foundations since Arts Law’s establishment in 1983.”

For Dr Buckingham, it is a case of coming full circle having worked as a Senior Solicitor at Arts Law and volunteering in the context of her studies. She said it was an honour and privilege to accept the role of CEO.
“I will do my utmost to do justice to all that Arts Law has achieved in strengthening value and respect for arts and culture,” she said.

“I am excited for the opportunity to bring my passion for the arts, my commitment to ‘art law’ and related areas of IP, human rights and justice, and all of the experience I’ve gained in corporate law, in-house legal, as well as in the not-for-profit, cultural and education sectors, to benefit Arts Law and all of Australia’s creators and creative industries.”

Justice Sackar acknowledged the Board’s appreciation for the significant contributions Robyn Ayres had made during her 20 years at the helm of Arts Law. He said the Board was pleased to advise her continuing involvement as a consultant to Arts Law on major projects.

There will be a transition period until the end of the year during which the outgoing and incoming CEOs will work together to ensure a smooth handover.