Building the home of storymaking for Victorian children and young people.

Lena Cirillo’s career spans pivotal CEO leadership roles in arts and cultural organisations, including Art Education Victoria, Polyglot Theatre and Arts Project Australia. She has been the Executive Director of diverse initiatives, from community-driven festivals like the Italo-Australian Lygon Street Festa to youth-focused contemporary circus at (Westside) Nexus Circus, always with a commitment to inclusive practices and creative expression. 

Her governance experience is extensive, having served on boards such as Vice-president of Midsumma Festival and Chair of Melbourne Workers Theatre, and advisory committees for the School of Art at RMIT University and the Cultural Arts Advisory Board for the City of Melbourne. Lena holds a Master’s of Teaching and a Bachelor of Fine Arts and is a fellow an alumna of the Williamson Leadership Program.

Passionate about the power of storytelling through the arts, Lena believes in its capacity to build resilience, foster connection and inspire change. Her work exemplifies a belief in lifelong creativity as essential to thriving individuals and communities. Read on for our interview with Lena!

Describe your career trajectory and how you got to your current position. 

My career has been an enriching journey through the not-for-profit arts and creative industries sectors, where I’ve had the privilege of holding leadership roles that foster creativity and connection. I’ve led organisations such as Polyglot Theatre, Art Education Victoria, and now 100 Story Building, each of which has deepened my understanding of how creativity can transform lives. My experiences have ranged from directing large-scale community events like the Lygon Street Festa to leading innovative arts organisations like Arts Project Australia supporting artists with disability. This diversity has allowed me to explore how creativity can be harnessed to empower individuals and communities alike.

Becoming an educator and completing my Master’s in Education allowed me to bridge the gap between creative practice and facilitation, bringing the transformative power of the arts into education. At Art Education Victoria, I established key partnerships with institutions like the National Gallery of Victoria and RMIT University, creating programs that connected educators and students with the arts.

Now, as CEO of 100 Story Building, I’m passionate about advancing its mission to inspire young people through storytelling and creativity. It’s an exciting opportunity to lead an organisation dedicated to amplifying diverse young voices, fostering critical thinking, and ensuring young people have the chance to thrive.

Take us through a typical day of work for you. 

A typical day for me is as dynamic and varied as 100 Story Building itself. At its heart, my role is about empowering others—whether it’s young people, our talented team, or our committed Board members. I might start the day strategising with program managers on initiatives that amplify creativity and literacy. Then spend time collaborating with key stakeholders to ensure our programs and operations are meaningful, inclusive and impactful. Collaboration is central to our approach in terms of design and delivery. One of the unique parts of 100 Story Building is that this is a hub for young people to express their creativity, often young people are in the building participating in programs or dropping in to say hello. Our Futuremakers – an advisory group of dedicated young people, will come together to design programs and inform some of our policies. I enjoy making time to sit in on these planning sessions and hearing them share their ideas and stories. It is important that young people feel safe and have a sense of ownership over the space and this is what makes 100 Story Building so special, feeling the energy and excitement of young people coming from the workshop space is a highlight of any day. 

Governance and operational responsibilities, like managing budgets or preparing reports for the Board, are also part of my day, but they’re balanced with the more energising aspects of community engagement. One of the most rewarding parts of my role is seeing the tangible outcomes of our work—whether it’s the joy on a child’s face during a workshop, a book published with young people’s stories or the feedback from an educator who feels empowered to use our creative tools in their teaching. Every day is a chance to push the boundaries of what we can achieve, ensuring that our mission of fostering imagination and connection reaches as many young people as possible.

What is the biggest challenge you’ve encountered in your career, and how did you overcome it? 

One of the most significant challenges I’ve faced in my career is navigating the financial limitations of the arts and education sectors while striving to deliver impactful programs. The value of creativity and the arts in shaping well-rounded, resilient individuals is immense, yet it’s often undervalued in terms of funding and policy support. Balancing the economic realities of limited resources with the vision to create programs that genuinely make a difference has required a mix of strategic thinking, persistence and innovation.

I’ve overcome this challenge by building strong networks and partnerships that share our commitment to creativity and expression. Advocating for the arts as essential, not optional, has been a key part of my approach—whether by embedding creativity across disciplines or showing its value in fostering critical thinking and lifelong learning. I’ve also focused on amplifying the voices of marginalised communities, ensuring that our programs are inclusive and accessible. This dual focus—on advocacy and action—has allowed me to keep pushing forward, despite the challenges, and to continue making a meaningful impact in the lives of the diverse communities I have served.

If you could go back in time, what piece of advice would you give yourself as you first embarked on your career? 

If I could go back in time, the most important advice I’d give my younger self is to trust your instincts and always stay true to your values. When you’re just starting out, it’s easy to feel uncertain or overwhelmed, especially in sectors like the arts, where the work can be  personal and often challenging. But your passion and vision are your greatest assets, and they’ll guide you through even the most difficult times.

I’d also remind myself of the importance of balance. It’s easy to become consumed by work when you’re deeply committed to making a difference, but taking time for self-care is crucial. Listen to your body and give yourself permission to rest when you need it. Step back from the day-to-day demands to look at the bigger picture—this perspective will help you stay grounded and focused on your long-term goals.

Finally, I’d encourage my younger self to embrace the journey. Every experience, whether a success or a challenge, is an opportunity to learn and grow. Trust that each step, even the difficult ones, is leading you toward a fulfilling and impactful career.

How do you unwind after work? 

How I unwind after work often depends on the day and the people around me. Spending time with family and friends is always a priority—it’s a way to recharge and reconnect. Preparing my mother’s traditional Italian dishes not only nurtures me but also keeps me connected to my culture and family traditions.

For physical activity, I enjoy playing netball or futsal once a week. It’s a great way to stay fit while having fun and building camaraderie with my teammates. When I need a deeper connection with nature, I’ll go for a walk or a hike—there’s something incredibly grounding about being outdoors and taking in the beauty of the natural world.

Creativity is also a big part of how I relax. Drawing or painting allows me to express myself and recharge my spirit in a different way. 

These activities, whether physical, social, or creative, help me maintain a sense of balance and perspective, ensuring I’m ready to tackle the challenges of the next day with renewed energy and focus.

What was the last thing you watched, read or listened to? 

The last book I read was ngargee: Coming Together to Celebrate Southeast Australian Aboriginal Art by Frances Edmonds, Sabra Thorner, and Maree Clarke. It’s a beautifully written and deeply engaging exploration of southeast Australian Aboriginal art, celebrating the vibrancy, resilience, and innovation of First Nations artists. I was particularly inspired by its focus on contemporary Aboriginal women artists, whose work carries powerful stories of culture, identity, and community.

Reading this book felt like both an education and a celebration. It broadened my understanding of the rich cultural heritage of First Nations peoples and highlighted the importance of their voices in the broader arts landscape. The book left such an impression on me that I had the opportunity to write a review for ngargee on ArtsHub, sharing my thoughts on its impact and significance. Writing the review was an opportunity to amplify the incredible work of these artists and to reflect on how storytelling, in all its forms, can foster connection, resilience, and cultural pride. It’s a book I’d highly recommend to anyone interested in the intersection of art, culture, and history.