Blak & Bright, Australia’s major First Nations literature festival, is thrilled to announce the appointment of Bebe Oliver as the new Artistic Director and CEO. Bebe will take over from Jane Harrison, an acclaimed author and playwright, who has led the festival since 2016. 

Over the past eight years, Jane has successfully expanded the festival’s reach and impact, championing First Nations voices and narratives with passion and dedication. Bebe’s appointment comes at a particularly exciting time for the organisation, which has recently become incorporated and was successful in securing four year funding from Creative Australia. 

Having firmed up the future of the Festival for the next four years, Jane felt it was a good time to step aside, and says Blak & Bright is ready for a new era of growth and innovation.

Jane Harrison said: “Being Artistic Director at Blak & Bright since 2016 has been a career highlight, but it’s time to pass the reins to Bebe Oliver. I’m thrilled for Bebe to lead the team into a bright Blak future. He has my full support.”

Bebe is a descendant of the Bardi Jawi people and brings a wealth of experience in the arts and a deep commitment to First Nations culture. An award-winning writer, facilitator and speaker living on the unceded land of the Kulin peoples, Bebe is committed to the empowerment and visibility of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander writers and creators. 

Bebe has collaborated with international organisations including Aesop, Global Citizen, and World Pride to celebrate Blak stories, communities and identities. He is also the Deputy Chair of Magabala Books, Australia’s leading Indigenous publishing house.

Bebe Oliver said: “I am extremely thrilled, honoured and humbled to lead Blak & Bright through its next journey of continuous milestones and growth. Storytelling is one of the richest and most powerful paths of expression for the deep and layered identities of First Nations peoples. It fills me with so much pride to continue advocating for the voices and truths our communities need to hear. Thanks to Jane Harrison’s leadership and bravery, Blak & Bright is a vital fibre in the fabric of our cultural and creative landscapes. I am committed to supporting our First Nations storytellers as their power and strength continues to grow.”

The Blak & Bright board expressed their gratitude to Jane Harrison for her visionary leadership and warmly welcomed Bebe Oliver to his new role.

Blak & Bright Chair, Anne-Marie Te Whiu, said: “The Blak & Bright board thank and congratulate Jane who has, for the past eight years, worked tirelessly to ensure First Nations storytelling, in all of its expressions, be platformed and celebrated.  Jane has laid solid foundations for Blak stories to continue to be shared and we are extremely thrilled that Bebe Oliver will carry that lantern into the future.”

Blak & Bright remains dedicated to fostering a vibrant and inclusive literary landscape and Bebe’s appointment will draw on his innovative approach and passion for storytelling, which will undoubtedly inspire new collaborations and projects that celebrate Indigenous narratives.