Meet Toni Wills, SCCA’s new Executive Director

We sat down with Toni Wills, SCCA's newly appointed Executive Director, to discuss her vision, experience, and the future of the region's creative community.

Q: Toni, congratulations on your new role as Executive Director at SCCA! Can you tell us a bit about your background and what brings you to this position?

Thank you! I’ve been working in the arts and cultural sector for over 10 years now, following a career in the law. Even as a migration lawyer and community educator, people’s stories were at the centre of my work. My passion for storytelling, advocacy skills and love of a spreadsheet led me to creative producing, where I’ve worked across everything from festivals, playwriting and theatre producing to creative placemaking venue management and fundraising. My most recent role was as Partnerships Investment Manager at Red Chair, where I focused on building community relationships and securing financial and in-kind support for projects like The Keeper Project. 

Q: You have a previous connection to The Refinery. Can you share more about that?

Absolutely. My relationship with The Refinery began in 2021 when I was contracted as the Program Coordinator for the 3.0 Creative Business Incubator. Guiding a talented cohort of 15 creative practitioners through the intensive program was an incredible experience. I also had the chance to work alongside some excellent external facilitators, like Fiona Killackey and Anita Seik, who are still involved all these years later. 

From there, I went on to work for one of The Refinery’s founding partners, SunCentral. I worked in a creative placemaking role for the Maroochydore City Centre. In that role, I was able to commission local artists for temporary public art projects and utilise the services of the creative businesses who were Refinery alumni. It was a full circle moment for me and a good example of the cross-industry and regional value of the program.

Q: What excites you most about leading SCCA at this moment in time?

This is such a pivotal time for the arts sector. The opportunities presented by the region’s economic growth, the upcoming 2032 Games, application of new technologies, and our unique environment are endless. With strong partnerships already in place and a future-focused strategic vision, SCCA is in a strong position to help elevate the creative sector in preparation for these opportunities.

Q: What role does The Refinery play in this vision?

In the past year, The Refinery’s expansion offers opportunities for creatives at all career stages to grow their practices, reach new markets, and position themselves as leaders. Our region is transforming. It’s changing from a tourist hub to a more sophisticated regional economy. There is rapid growth in tech and manufacturing sectors. The Sunshine Coast is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The Refinery’s focus on art, technology, environment and design delivers skills development so the arts and creative industries can play a significant role in this transformation.