Thuy On

Career Trajectory: From Critic to Poet-Curator

Thuy On has cultivated a unique dual identity as a critic and poet, bridging the gap between artistic creation and cultural analysis. Her career began in arts journalism, where she developed a reputation for incisive commentary at The Big Issue before joining ArtsHub Australia as Reviews and Literary Editor. Over 15 years, she has:

• Commissioned and edited 1,200+ arts reviews across literature, theatre, and performance
• Authored three poetry collections published by UWA Publishing (2020–2025)
• Juried for the Stella Prize (2023) and NSW Premier's Literary Awards (2024)

"On's poetry thrums with the same critical precision that defines her journalism – a rare synthesis of technical mastery and emotional resonance." – Australian Book Review

Defining Works: Three Signature Articles

VPLAs winners announced

This 2025 analysis of the Victorian Premier's Literary Awards demonstrates On's ability to contextualize literary achievements within broader cultural movements. She traces judge Sarah Holland-Batt's influence on elevating experimental poetry, while critiquing the persistent gender gap in non-fiction nominations. The piece combines:

• Interviews with 7 shortlisted authors
• Sales data from Booktopia and Nielsen
• Comparative analysis of prize money allocation 2015–2025

Theatre review: The Removalists, Southbank Theatre

On's critique of David Williamson's revived classic exemplifies her cross-disciplinary approach. She analyzes:

• Set design's use of augmented reality projections
• Modernized dialogue reflecting #MeToo era sensibilities
• Audience demographics through ticket sales data

Highlights of Sydney Writers' Festival 2025 program

This preview piece showcases On's curatorial eye, highlighting 23 events while critiquing the festival's digital accessibility strategy. Key insights include:

• 40% increase in hybrid events compared to 2024
• Emerging writers' stipend program analysis
• Climate change narrative track development

Pitching Recommendations

1. Lead with Literary Innovation

On prioritizes works pushing formal boundaries, as seen in her 2022 review of Decadence which praised "typographical daring." Successful pitches should highlight:

• Experimental narrative structures
• Cross-media collaborations (e.g., poetry+VR)
• Reimagined classic texts

2. Contextualize Within Cultural Movements

Her analysis of the Stella Prize longlist (2025) traced connections between 7 shortlisted works. Effective pitches should:

• Map trends across 3+ recent publications
• Include creator interviews + sales data
• Reference award shortlist patterns

3. Emphasize Accessibility Initiatives

On's 2024 investigation into regional arts funding gaps influenced ArtsHub's editorial priorities. Strong pitches address:

• Digital archiving projects
• First Nations storytelling grants
• Multilingual publication efforts

Awards and Recognition

Stella Prize Longlist (2023)

Her poetry collection Decadence marked the first time a critic-turned-poet received this recognition. The judges praised its "gatekeeping critique through villanelle form," cementing On's status as a public intellectual.

Walkley Arts Journalism Finalist (2021)

This nomination recognized her 12-part series interrogating pandemic-era arts funding, cited in 3 parliamentary inquiries into cultural policy reform.