About MJC
A trusted enabler in arts leadership.
About MJC
A trusted enabler in arts leadership.
Thank you for your thoughtful and elegant stewardship of this process over what has been a long road indeed! You have been such a supportive chaperone throughout the entire process! It ended up being surprisingly enjoyable for something so gruelling. I’m deeply grateful for your insightful and practical support throughout.
Artistic Director Candidate
In ever-changing workplaces, having the support of an experienced mentor like Mary Jo Capps helps highlight leadership opportunities, clarify directions and provide personal examination of what you can achieve.
Senior Manager | Major Collecting Institution
Principal Mary Jo Capps AM is an executive recruiter, mentor and strategic consultant, with first-hand experience at senior leadership levels in the for-purpose sector.
The range of our clients is international, with a primary focus on the Australian arts world. In addition to working with some of the most renowned arts organisations in Australasia both large and small, we have also frequently consulted to government in areas of cultural feasibility studies, business development and grant application assessments.
Principal Mary Jo Capps AM has been dedicated to the for-purpose sector, successfully fulfilling a range of roles from CEO, to Chair, to consultant.
She was CEO of Musica Viva Australia (1999-2019), and from 1982-1999 undertook various senior leadership roles at the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, including Deputy MD and Director of Development, while maintaining a consultancy to a variety of arts organisations including the Museum of Contemporary Art, Bangarra Dance Theatre, Company B Belvoir and NIDA.
Mary Jo is currently Chair of the Australian Festival of Chamber Music, and previously Chaired the Australian Major Performing Arts Group, the Dean’s Advisory Board at the Faculty of Music & Arts at University of Melbourne, the Peggy Glanville-Hicks Composers House Pty Ltd, and was President of the Sydney Business Chamber.
Serving on the Advisory Board of the Centre of Social Impact and a Board Director of the Community Council of Australia, she is continuously inspired by the ambition, agility and vision of the people and organisations with whom she works.
Mary Jo’s leadership role has been recognised with the inaugural Creative Partnerships Australia Arts Leadership Award (2016), an honorary PhD from University of Melbourne (2017) and a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for services to business and arts (2018).
Principal Mary Jo Capps AM is an executive recruiter, mentor and strategic consultant, with first-hand experience at senior leadership levels in the for-purpose sector.
The range of our clients is international, with a primary focus on the Australian arts world. In addition to working with some of the most renowned arts organisations in Australasia both large and small, we have also frequently consulted to government in areas of cultural feasibility studies, business development and grant application assessments.
Principal Mary Jo Capps AM has been dedicated to the for-purpose sector, successfully fulfilling a range of roles from CEO, to Chair, to consultant.
She was CEO of Musica Viva Australia (1999-2019), and from 1982-1999 undertook various senior leadership roles at the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, including Deputy MD and Director of Development, while maintaining a consultancy to a variety of arts organisations including the Museum of Contemporary Art, Bangarra Dance Theatre, Company B Belvoir and NIDA.
Mary Jo is currently Chair of the Australian Festival of Chamber Music, and previously Chaired the Australian Major Performing Arts Group, the Dean’s Advisory Board at the Faculty of Music & Arts at University of Melbourne, the Peggy Glanville-Hicks Composers House Pty Ltd, and was President of the Sydney Business Chamber.
Serving on the Advisory Board of the Centre of Social Impact and a Board Director of the Community Council of Australia, she is continuously inspired by the ambition, agility and vision of the people and organisations with whom she works.
Mary Jo’s leadership role has been recognised with the inaugural Creative Partnerships Australia Arts Leadership Award (2016), an honorary PhD from University of Melbourne (2017) and a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for services to business and arts (2018).
