Sophia Kouyoumdjian will step into the role of Manager, City Culture after 13 transformative years at the helm of Parramatta Artists Studios. 

In this new leadership position, she will oversee the City of Parramatta’s three cultural teams: Cultural Strategy and Creative Economy, Cultural Projects, and Parramatta Artists Studios.

Sophia joined PAS in 2011, and has led the organisation through a significant period of growth in Western Sydney. Throughout her tenure she has championed an ambitious hub-and-spoke model that has seen Parramatta Artists Studios expand rapidly, having moved the organisation twice – from its original location in Hunter Street to Macquarie Street, and to its current location at PAS Granville – and secured funding for an additional facility at PAS Rydalmere, as well as various temporary and experimental locations across the Parramatta region.

Her leadership and vision have cemented Parramatta Artists Studios' reputation as a nationally-important studio organisation. She has forged significant project partnerships with organisations across NSW including Blacktown Arts, Granville Centre, Artspace, Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, and Powerhouse Museum; and initiated the development of the Parramatta Artists Studios First Nations Engagement Framework, as well as the annual Movers and Makers initiative – NSW's leading symposium for visual artists.

Steered by her spirit of generosity, collaboration, and inclusion, the Parramatta Artists Studios team hasmore than tripled – now working across two sites housing twenty studios, and providing ever more space and opportunities for diverse artists and communities across the growing City of Parramatta. 

Congratulations, Sophia!

As Sophia prepares to lead the new City Culture team at Council, an exciting opportunity exists to join the City of Parramatta as Director, Parramatta Artists Studios. Click here for more information.