Jude Chambers

Background

About Jude Chambers

An accomplished international arts leader with over 20 years of experience in the arts and cultural sector, Jude has developed a strong network and has deep expertise in the design and delivery of major international projects across a variety of art forms, residency programmes, funding and capability-building programmes, and establishing a portfolio of public and private partnerships. From 2012 to 2022, she held a key leadership position as Manager of International at Creative New Zealand Toi Aotearoa. In this role, she oversaw an ambitious programme that connected local artists and arts organisations with global markets and networks​. This required the management of ​several globally-based teams. Under her leadership, the International team facilitated cultural and artistic exchange and supported the commissioning of new work by local artists for international audiences. She successfully led​ ​the team through a significant programme redesign after COVID-19 and several organisational restructures. ​ Jude has brokered partnerships and collaborated with numerous national and international entities, as well as Government agencies, to successfully deliver initiatives such as New Zealand's participation at five Venice Biennale Arte, showcases at Edinburgh Festivals, and the 'Focus on Asia' development programme. She has established residency programmes, hosted and connected international colleagues to Aotearoa's arts & creative sector and supported delegations at offshore markets​. In 2022, Jude founded Seedpod Studio Limited - a nimble resource hub that adapts its team and collaborates with experts to work alongside clients and deliver strategic initiatives and international engagement. Contracts included a feasibility review of a multi-year artistic development project, international strategy development for a new​ media artist​, hosted a creative sector trade mission from Canada, and redesigned a capability building programme​ for creatives. Seedpod Studio is currently working in partnership to deliver OBJECT MAKER Aotearoa Fellowship, a CNZ funded development programme for craft-based In 2024, she was appointed Executive Director of McCahon House. The role oversees a team managing McCahon House Museum, internationally-regarded Parehuia Artist Residency and education programme, and two new international initiatives in Australia & Japan. Jude is on the Board of Colin McCahon Trust, Artspace Aotearoa and Contemporary HUM. She is also on the PANZ Steering Group for ​Bologna Children's Book Fair G​oH 2027.