Stephen Armstrong

Creative Director, Asia TOPA

Stephen is a creative director, curator and commissioning producer focussing on live performance, interdisciplinary practise and international collaborations.

He is the founding Creative Director of Asia TOPA: Asia-Pacific Triennial of Performing Arts, a festival of new works and collaborations which has been presented in Melbourne in 2017 and 2020 – a third edition of Asia TOPA will be presented in 2024.

Stephen has worked extensively in executive commissioning and producing roles with national organisations from the majors and small-to-medium sectors to festivals and independent ensembles and groups, frequently in international contexts and partnerships. His independent projects have included feature film, literature, digital arts and festival events.

Stephen was the inaugural Chair of the Australia Council’s New Media Arts Fund and later served as Chair of the Theatre Board. He is a graduate of The University of Melbourne where he majored in the History and Philosophy of Science and later completed the Stanford University Business School Summer Program for Not-for-Profit Leaders.