Jo Thomas

Jo Thomas is a highly qualified arts leader and artistic director within the arts and culture industry, and has been involved in promoting contemporary works of independent artists.

Ms Thomas has been with Metro Arts, an established Brisbane arts presenter that is an incubator and launchpad for some of Australia’s finest new artists, since January 2010. She began as a managing producer before becoming executive producer in February 2015, and chief executive & artistic director in January 2016. Ms Thomas will leave Metro Arts and relocate to Perth in October 2023 to take up the role as chief executive of not-for-profit arts organisation ARTRAGE.

Ms Thomas' previous experience included programming, producing and performance. She has worked on projects in Brisbane including the Brisbane Festival, contemporary circus company CIRCA, Queensland Music Festival, and Bleach* Festival. She was also a performer in film, TV and theatre; and toured locally and nationally.

In 2012, Ms Thomas was a recipient of the prestigious Churchill Fellowship. She holds a Masters in Fine Arts (Cultural Leadership) from the National Institute of Dramatic Art.