Carolyn Chard AM is an experienced arts organisation executive with particular experience leading Australian opera companies.
Ms Chard was appointed WA Opera's general manager in 2001. After four years, she headed to the east coast to hold senior positions with Opera Australia. She returned to WA Opera in 2009 as general manager and was appointed executive director of the organisation in 2017. She was appointed deputy chair of Artrage in 2024.
Before working in opera, Ms Chard held roles with Deckchair Theatre, Barking Gecko, Awesome Festival and Black Swan State Theatre Company.
In 2018, she was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia for significant service to the performing arts in executive roles, particularly in Western Australia and to support for young artists.
Ms Chard has a Bachelor of Arts, Arts Management (WAAPA, 1990–1992) following earlier studies in fashion design (1986–1988). In the 1980s she produced dance parties, wrote music reviews and contributed a weekly club column for The West Australian newspaper. Ms Chard was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Music by the University of Western Australia in 2023.
