CEO and Artistic Director of Metro Arts Jo Thomas has been named Telstra’s Queensland Business Woman of the Year in the 2020 Telstra Business Women’s Awards, which are celebrating their 25th year. Thomas was also the state winner of the For Purpose and Social Enterprise category.

Jo Thomas. Photo courtesy of Metro Arts

“Our organisation, our sector and our artists are often at-risk and a strong business approach needs to be adopted to ensure sustainability – so it’s nice to be recognised for these strengths, that are particularly evident during the crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic”, Thomas said. “This Award shows artists are good business people, and we’re innovative and entrepreneurial.”

Thomas, who received her award in the mail after the planned ceremony had to be cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, called on the Government to support the arts industry, which has been effectively shut down by the pandemic and the associated bans on public gathering.

“I’m very conscious of the huge challenges faced by the creative sector at this time, both in urban centres and regionally,” Thomas said. “Arts organisations are vitally important to the broader ecology, and to the vibrancy of a...