Tony Lankester
Tony Lankester is an arts manager and a former CEO of National Arts Festival.
Contents
Biography
He studied Journalism and Media Studies at Rhodes University, then did a stint in broadcasting, followed by time in corporate sponsorships, before moving into various management positions in the theatre industry.
Contribution to SA theatre, film, media and/or performance
In 2007 he was appointed as CEO of National Arts Festival, remaining in that position till 2019. During his tenure the Festival broadened its funding base and launched several new festivals – including the Cape Town Fringe and the Creativate Digital Arts Festival. It also began to tour multiple productions to Fringe Festivals in Australia, the UK, the USA and across Europe.
He was also founding Chair of the World Fringe Alliance[1], an informal grouping of ten Fringe Festivals which opened touring pathways for artists across the globe.
In 2025 he was appointed CEO of the Edinburgh Fringe, assuming his duties in April of that year, while remaining a trustee of National Arts Festival board.
Sources
https://www.worldfringe.com/about-world-fringe-association/
Posting by SyndiGate Media Inc. 4 February, 2025.[2]
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