Sarah Northcott

Sarah Northcott
She/Her
Exhibitions and Collections Coordinator, Adelaide Festival Centre

Exhibitions and Collections Coordinator, Adelaide Festival Centre

I began my journey as a visual arts student, focused solely on becoming an artist. After receiving a scholarship to Adelaide Central School of Art, I completed a Bachelor of Visual Arts and Applied Design at just 19. Feeling unready to pursue a career as an artist, I shifted gears—studying philosophy and history at Flinders University, and completing Honours in aesthetics.

After time overseas, I discovered the Master of Art History and Curatorial Studies at the University of Adelaide. It offered exactly what I was looking for: a practical insight into curating, collection management, and exhibition logistics. An internship at Adelaide Festival Centre led to my first role there, and eventually to my current position as Exhibitions and Collections Coordinator.

After graduating, I worked as a sessional lecturer at Charles Sturt University and held several short-term roles, including Project Officer for an online Art History project. A temporary position with Prospect Council’s Art Collection was extended, leading to further work with the Local History Collection and filling a short-term vacancy as Gallery Coordinator. These experiences were invaluable, and I continue to stay connected with Newmarch Gallery as a volunteer and independent curator. I also worked with commercial galleries before joining Adelaide Festival Centre as Exhibitions and Collections Assistant. I am now the Exhibitions and Collections Coordinator.

Before starting out I wish I had known that there are many twists and turns and certainly not one path to working in the arts. I have found that experiences from outside the arts can be brought to the sector – from life experience, different jobs and other fields of study. Short-term roles are valuable opportunities and put you in touch with people you can learn from. My advice for anyone starting out in the sector is to maintain and value your connections and contacts. Being open to opportunities and keeping my own interest as a practitioner has helped me to keep focused.

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This article is part of the Festival & Event Industry Career Profiles series, a collection highlighting the diverse stories of Adelaide’s finest festival professionals. 

Photography by: Jack Fenby