Lynne Williams will step down from her role as NIDA chief executive at the end of 2016 after more than eight years at the helm.
NIDA will now conduct an international search over the coming months for a new director/chief executive, with a replacement expected to be announced in mid-2016.
NIDA’s chair, Jennifer Bott, said Lynne Williams had been a visionary leader during her time as Director of NIDA.
“Lynne leaves an extraordinary legacy in both artistic and educational achievements and contemporary infrastructure to support the highest levels of teaching and learning,” she said.
"With great skill and leadership, Lynne has implemented an innovative program to ensure that generations of creative leaders continue to enrich Australia’s cultural life. Amongst a long list of milestones, I would particularly highlight the newly launched Graduate School. Lynne successfully took this from vision to planning to reality.”
Williams said she had greatly enjoyed her time as chief executive.
“It has been wonderful working with the NIDA community to create an institution that is recognised internationally as one of the world's best for aspiring creative professionals,” she said.
“Five years ago we mapped out a bold vision for a reinvigorated National Institute of Dramatic Art.
"We challenged ourselves to imagine the future demands of the global arts and entertainment industries and the role that NIDA would play in educating and training the future leaders of those industries.”
She said the opening of a new Graduate School last weekend was an example of just how far the insitution had come.
"It's an honour to have been a part of NIDA's evolution,” she said.
“I would like to thank the NIDA Board and the NIDA Foundation Trust, our dedicated staff and hard-working students, as well as NIDA’s broader community of donors and friends and my many colleagues throughout the arts and entertainment industry for their unwavering support," she said.