Montsalvat welcomes interim directors
Montsalvat has welcomed Margaret Abbey and Michael Carney as interim directors, with Abbey taking on the role of Director of Business Development and Strategy, while Carney has been appointed Director of Operations.
Abbey said of the appointment: ‘I am working two days per week alongside Michael Carney … As is demonstrated by my title of Director of Business Development and Strategy, my role has an external focus.
‘I have already met with Nillumbik Council staff to discuss the Council’s relationship and ongoing support to Montsalvat. And in the coming weeks I will also be meeting with State Government representatives with the aim of achieving a similar outcome.’
Carney said: ‘I’m here five days a week. I have a diverse professional background with a constant theme of people management, developing strong cultures and fixing problems … My immediate priorities are to address any current and urgent challenges, especially as they have arisen because of the Coronavirus, and supporting the staff and volunteers.’
Carney was previously General Manager at La Trobe University and has worked in Professional Services, Government, Sport and the NFP sector to name a few.
NEW CEO for No Strings Attached Theatre of Disability
No Strings Attached Theatre of Disability has announced the appointment of Kari Seeley as its new CEO, effective immediately.
Prior to this appointment Seeley was Acting CEO from March 2020, having filled the role of General Manager of the Company from July 2015 through to March 2020.
John Oster, Chairman of No String’s Board, said: ‘After a national recruitment campaign and extensive interviews we are confident that Kari is the leader we are looking for. She will continue to provide outstanding member support, program development and network building. As Acting CEO over the past 9 months Kari has demonstrated her fitness for the task ahead and we wish her well.
An on-air personality at Radio 5MBS since January 2011, Seeley is currently studying her PhD in Audio Description having achieved first class honours in her B. Media Honours, majoring in Audio Description at the University of Adelaide.
Seeley said: ‘I’m excited about strengthening existing partnerships and developing new partner opportunities. The strength of this organisation has always been in collaborating across the broader No Strings family – from performers and their families, to supporters and staff, to local and international creatives – all under the strategic direction of the No Strings Board. We have some exciting new projects on the horizon and I can’t wait to share details in the New Year.’
Arts Capital appoints four new directors
Four new directors have been appointed to serve on the Board of Arts Capital (formerly Gorman House Arts Centre Inc). The new directors are Sheridan Burnett, Morwenna Collett, Elizabeth Harris, and Dr Jodie Trembath.
Their appointment marks the successful transition of former Gorman House Arts Centre Inc. to a new not-for-profit company and registered charity, Arts Capital.
Chair of Arts Capital, Mark Van Veen, welcomed the new directors, who all bring a wealth of experience in the arts, access and inclusion, arts and cultural policy, governance, and law.
Sheridan Burnett is Exhibitions Manager at the National Portrait Gallery with strong involvement in the ACT arts sector, and a qualified lawyer with experience in corporate, regulatory and governance roles.
Morwenna Collett is a musician and arts consultant with a disability, specialising in diversity, access and inclusion, who has previously held leadership roles at Accessible Arts and the Australia Council.
Elizabeth Harris is a lawyer at Minter Ellison and an Art History graduate who also volunteers for Agora Art, a London-based social enterprise supporting digital art.
Dr Jodie Trembath is an arts and cultural policy researcher who works at the independent think tank A New Approach, and an anthropologist and communications specialist with extensive experience in stakeholder engagement.
Along with the five existing Board members – Mark Van Veen, Suzie Campbell, Tim Langford, John MacCulloch, and Eric Martin – the new directors will steer the new organisation through an important period of strategic planning and stakeholder engagement.
The Board will also oversee centenary renovation plans for Ainslie and Gorman Arts Centres, the two heritage-listed ACT Government arts facilities managed by Arts Capital, including an $8M commitment to renovate Gorman Arts Centre by 2024.
CEO of Arts Capital, Joseph Falsone said: ‘The board will lead the development of a new shared vision at a critical time for the arts. With major renovation commitments and the start of a new planning cycle, Arts Capital inherits a rare opportunity to reinvent places and programs or the benefit of the arts sector and community.’
Bendigo venues and events manager is farewelled
After 16 years as the Bendigo Venues and Events Manager, David Lloyd was wished a very warm farewell by The City of Greater Bendigo. Helping to shape a diverse performing arts program, Lloyd has steadily grown theatre audiences and contributed to Greater Bendigo’s reputation as a leading arts centre in regional Victoria.
A significant highlight of Lloyd’s time with the organisation was the development and opening of Ulumbarra Theatre, which resulted in winning the Performing Arts Connections Australian Venue of the Year in 2017. He was also thrilled to welcome the relocation of Arena Theatre Company to Bendigo in 2018.
Other achievements include participation in the Regional Centre for Culture and continued commitment to advancing reconciliation through the arts, as well as a major rebrand of The Capital as a venue, which included a shift in programming, development of an outstanding team and a focus on a seamless customer experience.
Lloyd represented the industry as President of Performing Arts Connections Australia and the Victorian Association of Performing Arts Centres, which helped lift the profile of Bendigo’s performing arts venues. He also developed strong connections with Creative Victoria and Regional Arts Victoria over the past 16 years.
‘Under David’s leadership, the Bendigo Venues & Events unit has delivered a vibrant and interesting program of performing arts and other experiences, including the highly regarded Bendigo Writers Festival and Bendigo International Festival of Exploratory Music, which have engaged people of all ages,’said City Director Strategy and Growth Bernie O’Sullivan.
Lloyd reflected that he would look back fondly on his time at the City. ‘During my time at the City, I am most proud of contributing to strengthening the organisation’s relationship with the Dja Dja Wurrung community and know this will be continued through the new dedicated First Nations Art Officer role.’
‘I will watch on with interest and continued support for the arts in Bendigo,’ Lloyd concluded.
