Claire Spencer
Chief Executive Officer of Arts Centre Melbourne
墨尔本艺术中心首席执行官

Born and educated in the UK, and swerving from a linear career path, this dimensional power house went from a Cambridge degree in Theology to be a chartered accountant with Ernst & Young before settling down to her vocation in the performing arts. “Performing arts is kinda my thing.”

“Don’t be anxious about starting at the lowest grade in an organisation.  Don’t be afraid to come in at entry level.” 

Spencer switched from accountancy to arts when there was an opportunity to work at the Sydney Opera House.  “Coming from England, it was all very exciting to me. By the third day, I realised that this was an incredibly complex business with many different stakeholders, revenue streams, clients and enormous potential.  That was what attracted me.” What started out as a short assignment turned into 11 years with the Sydney Opera House before Spencer took up the Chief Executive Officer position with the Arts Centre Melbourne (ACM). 

Neither an art nor creative practitioner, Spencer serves as a catalyst that allows artists to showcase their talents to audiences who enjoy and are impacted by the performing arts. “At ACM we try to create a sustainable business that supports creative output. We are fortunate to have assistance from the Victorian and federal government, and generous philanthropists who believe in optimising financial and artistic outcomes. There is creativity in both pursuits.”

Having custody over ACM’s properties is no small feat. The Hamer Hall, State Theatre, Playhouse and Fairfax Studio are symbols of creativity. “Melburnians love these venues and are very invested in what we do and how we look after these buildings. There is also a constant demand for ACM’s world class facilities which are always booked out. It is a great problem to have but juggling the schedules can be quite tricky.” 

“Art is in the eye of the beholder. It can be entertaining and profound or deeply unsettling and make you cry. The impact is what defines it.”

Albeit initial self-doubts, Spencer is successful and effective at the helm of ACM. “There is still much work to be done.  The Victorian state government recently announced a major redevelopment of the art precinct involving ACM and the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) – an ambitious ten-year project which involves two new buildings, a complete refurbishment of the old buildings, a new public park that will encircle the ACM and NGV.  My intent is to stay as long as Melbourne will have me and to create an art centre that will serve the next two generations of Melburnians. That’s my passion.” 

在英国出生和受教育，Claire Spencer却偏离了直线性的职业道路，这名多维度的活力人物从取得剑桥神学学位，到成为安永会计师事务所(Ernst & Young)的特许会计师，再涉足表演艺术。“这也确认表演艺术才是我的归宿。”

当获得在悉尼歌剧院的工作机会时，Spencer毅然决定从会计转投艺术领域。“我怀着激动兴奋的心情从英国来到这里。直至第三天，我意识到其实这是很复杂的业务，联系着不同利益相关者、收入来源，客户和巨大的拓展潜力，这也是吸引我的地方。”至于担任墨尔本艺术中心(ACM)的首席执行官之前，曾经在悉尼歌剧院工作了11年，原先认为只是短期任务。

“永远不要担心从一个组织的最底层开始，在踏入初级阶段也无需惶恐。”

Spencer并非艺术工作者，也不是创造性的实践者，而是一个催化剂，让艺术家们无后顾之忧，向观众群展现表演艺术才华。“在ACM，我们试图打造一个可持续的业务，支持创造性产出。而深信财政优化达致艺术成果，我们很幸运得到维多利亚州和联邦政府的援助，还有慷慨慈善家倾囊相赠，这是创造力的两全结合。”

作为ACM产业的管理人并非易事。Hamer Hall、中心剧院、表演厅和Fairfax Studio皆是艺术创造力的象征。“墨尔本人热爱这些场馆，对我们如何维护与看管这些建筑给与投资和响应。ACM世界级表演场馆设施总是被预订一空，从中可看到源源不断的需求。这里有个棘手问题，就是兼顾时间表的难度非常高。”

艺术折射于观者的眼中。可以是具有娱乐性、感觉深刻或让人不安而落泪。影响与触动是自定义。

纵然历经最初的自我怀疑阶段，但事实证明ACM在Spence引领下走上成功和效率轨道。“我们任重道远。维多利亚州政府最近宣布了一项重大的艺术区再开发项目，涉及到ACM和维多利亚国家美术馆(NGV)—这是宏大的十年计划，包括两栋新建筑，还有对旧建筑的一次彻底翻新，另外将建设环绕ACM和NGV的全新公共园区。目标和激情促使我只要还在墨尔本，我会一直不遗余力的创建艺术中心，为墨尔本人的后两代服务。”

By Billie Ooi-Ng Lean Gaik