Meet Katrina Lui, Head of Presentations Services at Fed Square

I recently started in this exciting new role responsible for developing and executing forward-thinking front-of-house and presentation strategies. I also manage the Presentation Services Team to deliver engaging, and visually appealing public events and programming.

A trio of key factors drew me to the role: Leading a team to play a big part in shaping Fed Square as a central precinct for creativity, community and inclusivity is incredibly fulfilling. I’ve always been deeply passionate about creating meaningful experiences for people across the globe, and Fed Square provides the perfect platform to continue this vision. On top of this, is the once-in-a-generation opportunity to contribute to the Melbourne Arts Precinct Project, an initiative transforming the city’s cultural landscape for decades to come. And finally – I have to say it because it’s true and it’s quite fitting for this interview – I was searching for an organisation led by an inspiring female leader and when asking around, numerous peers had enthusiastically told me about Katrina Sedgwick’s remarkable leadership.

It’s pretty hard to pick! But being a music-head, working alongside friends and the best minds in the creative industry at Sydney Opera House, producing hundreds of concerts for world-class bands and artists is a clear standout. Special mentions: Max Richter’s overnight Sleep performances, The National concerts on the forecourt, GRAPHIC Festival commissions with luminaries such as Art Spiegelman, Nick Cave with the SSO.

I also loved my time being immersed in diverse cultures and languages, touring all across Italy and China, booking and presenting some of my all-time favourite electronic artists including Jon Hopkins, Metro Area, Floating Points.

Leading the launch and operations of Australia’s latest major cultural gem, THE LUME Melbourne, amidst the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, was a professional and personal accomplishment on multiple fronts.

The challenging times have been invaluable learning experiences for me, one such example is a particularly memorable incident in 2010 during the Elita festival in Milan. Amidst the chaos caused by the volcanic ash eruption in Iceland, which grounded all flights and left us stranded with a group of artists needing to travel to their next gig with no trains available, no cars, and no accommodation across the entire city!

I personally learn a lot from connecting with friends and listening to their stories on this day. I love how the day reminds us how much we can each do to advocate for equality and diversity. Raising two young kids myself, it is always front and centre how much I can impact what our younger generations value and stand up for. And isn’t it just the best that we can take a moment, look around ourselves, celebrate and be grateful for the most incredible, strong, hilarious, creative, caring women and friends in our lives!

Most of my peers know I am a fan of Jacinda Ardern. I’ve been told many times that my leadership style is too empathetic, and she showed me and countless others that it is possible to be a strong, kind leader.  I admire countless female artists, but standouts would be PJ Harvey, Patti Smith – incredible in their own right, true artists who just do their thing with no apology.

Probably something like: “The greater the challenge, the more I want to do it!”