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Image: Diversity Arts Australia Photo credit Anna Hay Artist Talk I Am Not A Virus exhibition
What are artform advisory boards?
Create NSW welcomes the contribution of Artform Advisory Boards in NSW.
Artform Advisory Boards members are leading arts and cultural practitioners. They include professional artists, producers, business managers and independent company leaders.
The purpose of the boards is to:
- assess applications made to the Arts and Cultural Funding Program and provide recommendations
- advise the Minister on strategic directions for the sector.
The boards help promote a transparent and streamlined funding process for NSW-based professional artists, practitioners and organisations.
Who were the members in 2022/23?
Find out who is on each board, including the chair and members, their role, experience and contribution to the arts.
Chair
Jamie-Lea Trindall – Executive Director of Outback Arts and Freelance Curator with over a decade of experience in arts & cultural strategy and project delivery in remote communities of far western NSW. A Wiradjuri woman Jamie-Lea is recognised as one of the leading contemporary artists in Western NSW and a founding member of the Aboriginal Regional Arts Alliance.
Members
- Rachel (Rei) Cheetham – Rei is a Euahlayi woman from North West NSW. She has worked in art administration for 20 years all over NSW, including 2 Rivers based in Tamworth. The Australia Council for the Arts, Bluesfest, The Octapod and This is Not Art Festival.
- Jannali Jones – Award-winning writer, editor and lawyer; her fiction and non-fiction prose, poetry and screenwriting has been published in Australia and overseas. Jannali also works in Business Affairs at the ABC.
- David Leha – Musician and singer, known professionally as Radical Son and respected community leader and music facilitator.
- Alison Murphy-Oates – Ngiyampaa Wailwan woman. Ali is Managing Director of Moogahlin Performing Arts with over a decade of arts management, producing, and policy experience.
- Rhoda Roberts AO – Creative Director, First Nations Program – Northern Rivers Performing Arts (NORPA). Senior Creative Advisor, Welcome to Country. A Bundjalung woman from northern NSW, Rhoda is a producer, actor and director who works as a consultant, speaker and performer in theatre, film, television and radio. Founder and former Artistic Director of the Festival of Dreaming and Former Head of First Nations Programming, Sydney Opera House.
- Beau James – From the Mununjali clan of the Yugambah Nation from South East Queensland with links to Stradbroke Island and is a First Nations curator, producer and performer. He has worked in the arts and cultural sector for the last 30 years and currently hold the position of Head of First Nations Programming at the Sydney Opera House. In his position James is leading a national and international cultural agenda, advancing and championing First Nations peoples, cultures, places, knowledge and narratives.
- Nardi Simpson – A Yuwaalaraay writer, musician, composer and educator from North West NSW freshwater plains. A founding member of Indigenous folk duo Stiff Gins, Nardi has been performing nationally and internationally for 20 years. Nardi works with student ensembles and directs cross-cultural choir Barayagal at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and is currently undertaking a PhD with the ANU School of Music. She is the 2022 UTS Copyright Agency Writer in Residence Award and her debut novel, Song of the Crocodile was 2018 winner of a black&write! writing fellowship.
Chair
Naseema Sparks AM – Chair and Trustee of the Historic Houses Trust of New South Wales (Sydney Living Museums) as well as SLM Foundation Director. Former Managing Director of global advertising company M&C Saatchi with a wealth of philanthropic expertise. Served on a number of boards including ASX-listed, private equity companies, education and arts Boards, including Biennale of Sydney.
Members
- Ryley Gillen – Business Manager, Shoalhaven Youth Orchestra, Artistic Director and Chief Conductor, The Ballet Team. Ryley has strong classical music experience with Ensembles and Chamber Music and was Principal Trumpet, Sydney Contemporary Orchestra and NSW Corrective Services Band.
- Casey Green – Classical Music Producer at the Sydney Opera House. Casey is a board member for Ensemble Apex and formerly Orchestra and Operations Manager, Sydney Youth Orchestras.
- Cressida Griffith – General Manager of the Pinchgut Opera. Cressida has worked at the London Symphony Orchestra, Victorian Opera and Orchestra Victoria in Melbourne and started her career as a cellist.
- Jack Symonds – Artistic Director of Sydney Chamber Opera and established composer, conductor and accompanist. Jack continues to premiere new works, frequently conducting his own and others’ music.
- Simon Moore OAM – Presenter and producer at 2MBS Fine Music Sydney. Formerly Director and Chair, Music Broadcasting Society of NSW.
- Anita Bellman – Executive Director of the Northern Rivers Conservatorium in the regional town of Lismore NSW. Anita is President of the Association of NSW Regional Conservatoriums. She is an educator, executive, collaborator and advocate at the local and state level who is committed to providing the Northern Rivers with access to quality music education and performance.
- Dr John Peterson – A well-known Australian composer. Dr Peterson has written chamber music for many ensembles including the Contemporary Singers, Sydney Mandolins, the Shostakovich String Quartet, Halcyon, and the Omega Ensemble, Sydney. He has had several works for orchestra performed and/or recorded by orchestras across Australia and New Zealand; and his choral music is frequently performed in Australia and in the United States.
- David Boyce – General Manager of Omega Ensemble since 2019. David has held management roles in marketing and producing across classical music, theatre and visual arts, including the commercial and not-for profit sectors. He holds a Bachelor of Music (Composition, Hons. Class 1) from Sydney Conservatorium of Music.
- Brett Weymark OAM – Artistic and Music Director, Sydney Philharmonia Choirs, Brett is one of Australia’s foremost choral conductors. He has conducted the Sydney Philharmonia Choirs and various orchestras throughout Australia and internationally. In 2021, he was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for services to the performing arts through music.
Chair
John Oddy – Legal Counsel at the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) and the Phonographic Performance Company of Australia (PPCA) and holds a Masters in Intellectual Property Law. Former lawyer at Marque Lawyers working in dispute resolution and specialising in copyright and former volunteer at Arts Law Centre of Australia. John is passionate about the music industry and is an independent musician, having played and recorded in several bands for decades.
Members
- Geoff Bell – Owner of Laing Entertainment. Geoff is an entertainment agent, promoter, producer & programmer of contemporary and country music festivals and tours across Australia and Internationally.
- Nikki Brogan –Program Producer (Strategic Projects) at Museum of Applied Arts & Sciences. Nikki is former Managing Director of FBi Radio with prior roles in programming and partnerships at the station, and previous experience in publishing at Pedestrian Group.
- Zoe Hauptmann – Freelance Bassist and Artistic Director for The Sydney Improvised Music Association (SIMA), The Sydney International Women’s Jazz Festival and formerly the Wangaratta Festival of Jazz and Blues.
- Maria Mitar – Co-founder of the Cultural Arts Collective working with artists and communities from Western and Greater Sydney in contemporary music and cultural events production and presentation. Maria has worked in sector and arts and cultural development with local government, artists, and community organisations. She is a vocalist/producer performing in and managing original cross-cultural music ensembles.
- Philip Mortlock – Creative Director at ORiGiN Music with a wealth of experience in the contemporary music arena and is a long-time board member of the Australian Independent Record label Association (AIR). Philip’s previous industry involvement includes Head of Repertoire Albert Music, Managing Director Warner Music Australia and a former member of the ARIA & NFSA Boards.
- Jane Slingo – Director of Electronic Music Conference and Artist Manager at Young Strangers, Label Manager, Middle Name Records and Board Member of MusicNSW and the Association of Artist Managers.
- John Wardle – Live Music Consultant at APRA AMCOS for the Live Music Office with experience in reviewing the impact of policy frameworks on the Australian live music sector and strategic sector development, as well as continuing engagement in music education and live performance.
- Morwenna Collett – Access consultant, leader and facilitator with direct professional experience of working in the arts, government, not for profit and university sectors as a CEO, senior manager, project manager, lecturer, trainer and advisor. Morwenna is particularly passionate about increasing accessibility within the music industry and recently completed a Churchill Fellowship.
- Kaleena Smith – First Nations Development Coordinator at MusicNSW. Kaleena is a Wiradjuri/Yorta Yorta woman, and has worked, collaborated, and participated with the community locally, regionally, and nationally for over twenty years as a songwriter, performer and vocalist.
Chair
Karen Moses FAICD – Former Chair of Sydney Dance Company with directorships of Charter Hall, Orica, Boral and Sydney Symphony Orchestra. Karen has over ten years’ experience as a listed Company Director, over twenty years’ as a Company Director and over thirty years’ experience in the energy industry spanning oil, gas, electricity and coal commodities and upstream production, supply and retail.
Members
- Olivia Ansell – Festival Director 2022-2024 of the Sydney Festival. Olivia previously held roles as Head of Contemporary Performance at the Sydney Opera House, co-executive producer of immersive experience Hidden Sydney, Artistic Director-Sydney Comedy Festival, Producer Perth Festival and Executive Producer of Shaun Parker & Company, which toured to Sadler’s Wells and across the UK and Europe.
- Alice Cadwell – General Manager/Creative Producer at Spaghetti Circus and Festival Director for the National Circus Festival. Alice has over twenty years’ experience as a Production/Stage Manager and Creative Producer for circus arts companies including: Circus Oz, Circus Monoxide and international festivals.
- Anni Davey – Artistic Director at Flying Fruit Circus. Anni spent more than twenty years’ working with Circus Oz as a performer, director and manager before moving to her current role at Flying Fruit Fly Circus in 2018. Anni served on the Board of Melbourne Fringe, including two years as Chair (2006-7), and was previously Chair of the Australian Circus and Physical Theatre Association (ACAPTA).
- Carl Sciberras – An independent choreographer, producer, performer, advisor and educator from Western Sydney. Carl is Co-Director, Founding Member and General Manager of Dance Makers Collective and a Creative Industries Specialist Business Advisor for Creative Plus Business. Carl is currently on the Cumberland Council Arts Advisory Committee and has held positions on other council and organisation boards such as Riverside Theatres.
- Bethwyn Serow – Strategist for the Performing Arts and Board Director of Shopfront Theatre. Bethwyn is former Executive Director of Australian Major Performing Arts Group (AMPAG) and prior to that she was Production Executive and Senior Policy Manager for the Screen Producers Association of Australia (SPAA).
- Jasmin Sheppard – A Tagalaka, Settler, Hungarian Chinese Contemporary dance artist and choreographer. Jasmin spent 12 years with Bangarra Dance Theatre, performing lead roles such as ‘Patyegarang’, choreographed ‘MACQ’ (touring Australia and Germany. She has choreographed and presented works at Yirramboi festival, Toronto’s ‘Fall For Dance North’ Festival, Sydney Festival, Araluen Arts Centre Darwin Festival and Sydney Dance Company.
- Kim Walker – Chief Executive Officer of NAISDA Dance College, former principal dancer Sydney Dance Company, Artistic Director The Flying Fruit Fly Circus and free-lance director Chorographer. Kim is a current panel member for Federal Government National Cultural Policy and has many years’ experience on a variety of boards including Australia Council and Ausdance NSW.
- Cadi McCarthy – Director and Founder at Catapult Dance Choreographic Hub. Cadi has been actively engaged in dance as a professional dancer, choreographer, educator and director since 1996. Previously, Cadi was the Artistic Director of Buzz Dance Theatre, Perth WA.
- Richard Cilli – A contemporary dance artist and current Rehearsal Director of Sydney Dance Company. Richard has performed the work of renowned Australian and international choreographers and has danced for Sydney Dance Company, Rambert (UK), Chunky Move, Dancenorth, Lucy Guerin Inc., Australasian Dance Collective and K.Kvarnström & Co (Sweden). He has created works for Sydney Dance Company, The Australian Ballet, LINK Dance Company, and his own independent projects.
Chair
Noel Staunton –NIDA Chairman and Executive Producer at the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra, with experience as a freelance creative director and producer specialising in large-scale productions and special events. Prior roles include Artistic Director of Brisbane Festival, Opera Technical Director at English National Opera and Technical Director at Opera Australia. He has toured productions extensively throughout Europe and the United States, produced the first Australian Ring Cycle in Adelaide and was previously the CEO of Sydney Dance Company.
Members
- Mary Jo Capps AM – Leadership Consultant, Mentor, Arts Recruitment. Mary Jo is also Chair of Australian Festival of Chamber Music (AFCM), Chair of Peggy Glanville-Hicks Composers House Ltd; Non-Executive Director, Australian Arts and Digital Events. Recently vacated roles as Chair Australian Major Performing Arts Group; Chair, Advisory Board, Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Melbourne; and former CEO Musica Viva Australia.
- Adam Deusien – Artistic Director at Lingua Franca, Bathurst, with interdisciplinary physical theatre experience of more than twelve years. Former Artistic Associate with Bathurst Memorial Entertainment Centre and Artistic Director of the Artstate – Bathurst Arts Program. Adam was 2016 recipient of a Create NSW Regional Arts Fellowship.
- Kerri Glasscock – CEO and Festival Director, Sydney Fringe Festival, Deputy Chair of Night Time Industries Association, Board Member PAC Australia. Kerri’s previous roles include founder and Director of the Old 505 Theatre and Venue 505, and curator for the small to medium independent theatres and live music venues.
- Bill Harris – Head of Programs and Site Activation at the Australian National Maritime Museum. Bill has held production and producer roles at Barangaroo Delivery Authority, Global Creatures, Sydney Festival, NIDA, Adelaide Festival and the Olympic and Paralympic Arts Festivals. He is former Chair of Performing Lines and Urban Theatre Projects.
- Dan Potra – Production Designer at HLA Management. Dan has worked as a set and costume designer for opera, theatre, festivals and events, dance and film. Dan has three Helpmann Awards for his design work in opera and theatre.
- Chris Tooher – Executive Director/CEO of Sydney Festival and former General Manager, Bell Shakespeare Company. Chris’ previous roles include Producer at Sydney Opera House and CEO of Illawarra Performing Arts Centre.
- Julie Turpie – General Manager, Events at Destination NSW. Julie is responsible for event acquisition and the development of the NSW major events calendar including the State Significant Event Fund, 10 World Cups in ten years and Vivid Sydney, to ensure Destination NSW maximises the return for NSW from investment in events. Julie has more than twenty-five years-experience in event acquisition and delivery, brand development, destination marketing, business development and public programming. Julie previously worked for the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority, Brisbane Marketing and Sydney Living Museums.
- Chris Hanley OAM – Founder of Byron Writer’s Festival and Principal at First National Real Estate Byron Bay, Chris is passionate about books, ideas and words. He works with individuals and organisations as a business coach and is a mentor to start up festivals, event managers and fundraising professionals. He has sponsored many festivals and events and has been a volunteer for festivals all over the world.
- Bernie Heard – Manager, National Music Teacher Mentoring Program, Australian Youth Orchestra. Bernie is an experienced senior arts executive and consultant to the NFP sector, her previous roles include Executive Director of Gondwana Choirs, CEO of Sydney Youth Orchestras, education and artist development roles with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra.
Chair
Jennifer Byrne – Acclaimed journalist, television presenter and former book publisher. Former host of the Australian Broadcasting Commission’s (ABC) long running program First Tuesday Book Club. National Arts School Board Member and long-time ambassador for the Australian Indigenous Education Program.
Members
- Felicity Castagna – A novelist, academic, literary critic and writer for performance. Felicity has previously been the recipient of The Prime Minister’s Literary Award (YA) and a finalist in the Miles Franklin, as well as having works commissioned by The Sydney Festival and The Sydney Opera House.
- Ian David – Freelance screenwriter for Film Australia, Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Southern Star Group, HBO, Nine Network, Kennedy-Miller, TaylorMedia, Essential Viewing, Fremantle Media, TV1, PlayMaker and Cordell Jigsaw Productions. Ian is also Playwright at National Theatre Perth, Lecturer-Creative Writing at University of Sydney and Previously President of the Australian Writers’ Guild.
- Johanna Featherstone – Poet and Red Room Poetry founder, recent/former research associate with The University of Western Sydney and an honorary associate of The University of Sydney’s School of Letters Arts and Media. Johanna is a founding writer of the Chaser newspaper and is a poetry writing teacher in schools and correctional centres. Chair of Oranges & Sardines Foundation and board director with Belvoir Theatre and the Biennale of Sydney.
- Dr Fiona Kelly McGregor – Award-winning novelist, artist and critic who has published eight books, most recently Iris. McGregor lives and works in Redfern, on Gadigal country.
- Rosemarie Milsom – Founding Director of the Newcastle Writers Festival and Chair of Hunter Creative Alliance. She has been an award-winning print journalist, and broadcaster with the ABC.
- Peter Polites – A novelist from Western Sydney. He has written two queer noirs, Down the Hume and The Pillars, which won the 2020 NSW Premier’s Multicultural Literary Award. Peter also won the 2020 Woollahra Digital Literature Prize for Fiction and in 2021 was the ACT Writer in Residence at UNSW Canberra. His next novel, God Forgets About the Poor will be out with Ultimo Press in 2023.
- Richard Walsh – He has written for both television and the stage and he is the author of nine books. Richard has been Managing Director of Angus & Robertson Publishers, Chief Executive of Australian Consolidated Press and is currently a commissioning publisher at Allen & Unwin. Richard was co-editor of OZ magazine in the 1960s and editor of Nation Review in the 1970s.
- Michael Williams – Editor of The Monthly, writer and broadcaster, and was co-founder and Director of Wheeler Centre in Melbourne and Artistic Director of Sydney Writers’ Festival 2020-22. Michael is host of Guardian Australia’s monthly book club.
- Larissa Behrendt AO – Distinguished Professor at the University of Technology Sydney. Larissa is an award-winning author and filmmaker and the host of Speaking Out on ABC Radio. She is a member of the Academy of Arts and Sciences and a founding member of the Australian Academy of Law. She is a Trustee of the Museum of Sydney.
Chair
Professor Ross Harley – Emeritus Professor and former Dean of UNSW Art & Design and Chair of the Sydney Culture Network. Ross is an award-winning artist, writer and educator whose career crosses the bounds of traditional and creative arts research. His video and sound work has been presented at the Pompidou Centre in Paris, New York MoMA, Ars Electronica in Austria, the Biennale of Sydney, and at the Sydney Opera House.
Members
- David Francis – CEO at the Wollongong Conservatorium of Music (Wollcon) and former Executive Director, Four Winds Concerts, which encompassed the Easter Festival. David’s managerial and directorial experience also includes the Sydney Philharmonia Choirs and Arts Council England.
- Andrew Gray – Executive Director at South East Arts. Andrew has extensive experience in the creative and cultural industries, including public programs at the National Film and Sound Archive, Museum of Australian Democracy and the Australian War Memorial.
- Georgia Mokak – A proud Djugun woman from Broome, grew up as a welcomed guest on Ngunnawal and Ngambri Country, spent five years as a guest on Wangal and Gadigal Country, and has returned to Ngunnawal and Ngambri Country where she currently resides. Georgia is the Senior Coordinator of First Nations Partnerships and Strategy at the National Gallery of Australia (NGA). She is also a freelance producer, lecturer, writer and consultant.
- Nicholas Pickard – Executive Director, Public Affairs and Government Relations for APRA AMCOS, Chair of the Australian Society of Authors and board member of Regional Arts NSW, Music Australia and the Night Time Industries Association. Starting out his career as a theatre director, Nick has twenty years’ experience as an arts journalist, critic and cultural policy adviser. Having worked across the breadth of the arts and culture sector he was a key part of the team that created, drafted and launched Australia’s 2013 national cultural policy – Creative Australia.
- John Waight – Head of First Peoples Programs at the National Art School and former Artists in the Black Coordinator at Arts Law Centre of Australia. John is from the Mangarayi people whose country is just outside Katherine. He is a curator and has previously curated the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards.
- Alex Wisser – Contemporary artist and creative producer. Alex is co-founder of Cementa Contemporary Art Festival in Kandos. He is also a founding member of the artist collective Kandos School of Cultural Adaptation.
- Mouna Zaylah – Business and Engagement Manager at Campbelltown Arts Centre. Former Artistic and Cultural Programs Manager at Information & Cultural Exchange (I.C.E.), Parramatta. Mouna additionally held administration roles at Casula Powerhouse and co-directed the nationally recognised Arab Film Festival.
- Nuala Furtado – General Manager at 4A Centre for Contemporary Asian Art. Nuala is a producer/ programmer with over ten years of experience working across contemporary practice and experimental forms from inside Australian festivals and small-medium arts organisations.
- Josh Butt – Founder and Executive Producer of Audio Content Company Ampel and Comedy TV production company Humerus. Josh is an award-winning podcast and TV producer with over twenty years’ experience in comedy, audio, TV and media.
Chair
Kim McKay AO – Director and CEO of the Australian Museum. Kim is the co-founder of Clean Up Australia and the Clean Up The World campaign. Kim co-created The Genographic Project for National Geographic which traces humankind’s genetic history and is the co-author of five books in the True Green series; she is a member of the Council of the University of Technology, Sydney and was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Science from University of Wollongong in 2022. Kim was appointed as an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in 2008 for distinguished service to the environment and the community.
Members
- Brett Adlington – CEO of Museums & Galleries of NSW. Brett is former Director of Lismore Regional Gallery with previous roles at Gold Coast City Art Gallery, Lake Macquarie City Art Gallery and Perc Tucker Regional Gallery, Townsville.
- Julie Baird – Director of MALL (Museum Archives Libraries and Learning) for the City of Newcastle with past roles as Director of Museums Archive Libraries and Learning at City of Newcastle, Director of Newcastle Museum, Senior Curator at the National Motor Museum SA and curatorial roles in Canada. Julie is current Vice President of Australian Museums and Galleries Association National Council, MGNSW Peer and Board member of Speaking in Colour.
- Dr Brian Lindsay – Chair of the Board of the NSW State Archives and Records Authority (SARA) and Member on the NSW Heritage Council. Brian is a professional researcher and author.
- Tristan Sharp – Deputy Director of the Australian Classification Board and previously a Director at Kingfisher and Co Consultancy. Tristan has held leadership roles at Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences, Newcastle Art Gallery, Art Gallery of NSW, as well as AMP Capital and Westpac.
- Madeleine Scully – Community Services Manager, Wagga Wagga City Council. Madeleine has previously held roles as Regional Museum Officer and Museum Manager at the Museum of the Riverina in Wagga Wagga.
- Christine Yeats – President of the Federation of Australian Historical Societies, Senior Vice President at the Royal Australian Historical Society and former Treasurer, Australian Society of Archivists. Christine is the NSW Liaison Officer of the UNESCO Australian Memory of the World (AMOW) Committee and Chairs the AMOW Assessment Sub-Committee. Christine worked for the NSW State Archives for many years. She has expertise in archival research, archives management, record management and historical research
- Hayden Walsh – A proud Aboriginal man from Sydney and is First Nations Advisor at Sydney Living Museums, with over ten years’ experience across the education and not-for-profit sectors, along with many years in the arts and museum space. Hayden is also the Founder and Director of ‘Think Successful’, a social enterprise that delivers life changing personal development programs to young people.
- Paula Bray – Head of Digital Engagement and Insight at the Australian National Maritime Museum. Paula has over twenty years’ experience working in cultural heritage institutions, including the State Library of NSW, Powerhouse Museum, Art Gallery of NSW and the Australian National Maritime Museum.
Chair
Chris Puplick AM – Chair at the Australian Theatre for Young People (ATYP), who has been a member of the Theatre Board of the Australia Council, a member of the Board of NIDA, and has been the Chair of the Griffin Theatre Company and inaugural Chair of the National Film and Sound Archive.
Members
- David Berthold – Artistic Director in Residence, NIDA. David is a former Artistic Director of many significant organisations, including Brisbane Festival, La Boite Theatre Company, World Interplay Festival, Griffin Theatre Company and Australian Theatre for Young People. He is also a former Associate Director of Sydney Theatre Company and has directed for most major Australian theatre companies as well as in London and Berlin.
- Linden Tierney – Strategic Growth consultant for the arts sector. Linden has previously held the role of General Manager of Auckland Theatre Company.
- Larry Galbraith – Currently at the City of Sydney Council where his work relates to the arts, culture, creative Sydney and the night-time economy. Larry has a long-term involvement in community theatre and arts journalism.
- Suzanne Jones – CEO/Producer at Jones Theatrical Group (JTG), Executive Producer at Cross Roads Live, Non- Executive Director with The Pinnacle Foundation and Erth Physical & Visual Inc. Suzanne works both Nationally and Internationally as a Producer across live entertainment.
- Joanne Kee – Executive Producer of Riverside’s National Theatre of Parramatta. Joanne has expertise in creating, commissioning, presenting and touring professional work from Western Sydney, nationally and internationally.
- Gus Murray – An actor, producer and founder of Sugary Rum Productions. Gus has worked extensively across film, television and theatre.
- Sarah Parsons – Creative Producer/CEO at Outback Theatre for Young People and Director on the Board of Regional Arts NSW. Previous positions include Workshop Manager at Australian Theatre for Young People (ATYP), Educational Facilitator at Jigsaw Theatre Company, Lecturer and Tutor at Charles Sturt University.
- Daniel Potter – Executive Director/CEO at Shopfront Arts. Daniel previously held roles at Belvoir, Merrigong Theatre and the Illawarra Performing Arts Centre.
- Dan Graham – Theatre Director and Disability Advocate with a particular interest in access support for neuro-diverse performing artists and Access Consultant at Brand X. He is ISPA Fellow for Australia 21/22, Fellow of the Australia Council’s Future Leaders Program. Dan holds positions as board director or community representative on a range of arts organisations and disability action groups.
Chair
Simon Mordant AO – Deputy Chair of MOMA PS1 in New York, a Trustee of the American Academy in Rome, a member of the International Council of the MOMA, the Executive Committee of the Tate International Council and Enterprise Professor, Centre of Visual Art, University of Melbourne and Inaugural International Ambassador for Gallerie dell’Accademia Museum in Venice. Executive Co-Chairman at Luminis Partners with experience as past Chair of the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, a Director of the Australian Broadcasting Commission, Australian Commissioner for the Venice Biennale, Trustee of the Los Angeles Museum of Contemporary Art, Deputy President of the Takeovers Panel 2000-2010 and Honorary Consul to San Marino in Australia. Simon is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants.
Members
- Steven Alderton – Director and CEO at the National Art School, and is an artist, writer and curator. Steven is committed to arts and education, building pathways for artists, and developing strategic planning for the arts. He has previously held roles as Director Casula Powerhouse, Director Lismore Regional Gallery, Curator Wagga Wagga City Art Gallery, and Director Programs, Exhibitions and Cultural Collections at the Australian Museum. Steven has participated on several boards including the Visual Arts Board of the Australia Council, the Institute of Modern Art Board, Corroboree Festival Board and was an Asialink Fellow to Mongolia.
- Michael Dagostino – Director at Campbelltown Arts Centre. Michael is currently a Board Member of Sydney Writers’ Festival, Accessible Arts and Western Sydney Arts Alliance and previously on FBi Radio. He was the Chair of Artspace and a member of the Sydney Culture Network and NSW State Government Arts and Cultural Advisory Committee, with over 23 years of experience in the contemporary arts sector.
- Danie Mellor – A contemporary artist of Ngadjon and Mamu heritage whose multidisciplinary practice explores intersections of Indigenous and Western culture and history. Danie’s work is held in significant national collections and internationally and is on the Board of MCA Australia. Previous positions include lecturer and senior lecturer at the Australian National University and University of Sydney, Chair, Visual Arts Board of the Australia Council.
- Lauretta Morton OAM – Over thirty-five years’ experience in the visual arts and cultural sectors in both private and government organisations. Lauretta is Newcastle Art Gallery’s first female Director, a Create NSW Peer, Museums & Galleries NSW Peer, and University of Newcastle Gallery Advisory Board member.
- Susi Muddiman OAM – Gallery Director at the Tweed Regional Gallery & Margaret Olley Art Centre and Board Member of Museums & Galleries of NSW. Susi is a highly regarded leader of the gallery and museum sector in Australia, with a strong interest in and commitment to enhancing gallery performance and presenting quality engagement programs.
- Michelle Newton – Deputy Director of Artspace and current Chair of Cementa Inc Board. Michelle’s previous roles include Associate Director at Grantpirrie Gallery, Co-Director at Jirrawun Arts, East Kimberley (WA) and Art Centre Manager at Jilamara Arts, Tiwi Islands (NT).
- Maud Page – Deputy Director and Director of Collections at Art Gallery of New South Wales. Maud’s previous roles include Deputy Director at Queensland Art Gallery, Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA) and Senior Curator of Pacific Art.
- Khaled Sabsabi – Acclaimed contemporary artist who has exhibited in over 90 solo and group exhibitions nationally and internationally. Khaled genuinely believes in the power of art as a valuable and important tool to communicate with people and is inspired by what may define us as a society. He strives to make artwork that reflects human collectiveness, while questioning ideological principles and complexities of identity politics. Khaled was born in Tripoli, Lebanon and migrated to Australia as a child in 1976. He holds a Master of Arts from the University of New South Wales.
The 2023/24 Artform Advisory Board members will be announced publicly in September 2023.