Melbourne’s new arts festival, a merging of White Night and the Melbourne International Arts Festival that will kick off in 2020, has announced its inaugural artistic directors: artist, curator and festival director Hannah Fox and director and choreographer Gideon Obarzanek.

Hannah Fox and Gideon Obarzanek. Photo: supplied.

“After a global search, we are thrilled to have two internationally admired and respected artistic leaders guiding our vision for Melbourne’s new cultural festival and major event. That Hannah and Gideon are both Melburnians emphasises our city’s incredible contribution to culture,” said Tim Orton, Chair of Melbourne International Arts Festival.

Fox comes from her role as Associate Creative Director for Hobart’s Dark Mofo. She has a background in art, large-scale public art, contemporary music and live art, and as co-director of the company Supple Fox, curated the contemporary music program at the Melbourne International Arts Festival from 2009 to 2012.

Her large-scale sonic artwork Siren Song – which uses hundreds of skyscraper-mounted speakers and a helicopter sound system – marked the sunrise and sunset for 10 days of Dark Mofo in 2017 and travelled to the Perth Festival in 2018.

“We are honoured to have the opportunity to rethink what...