Minister for the Arts, Tara Cheyne, has appointed three new members to the Minister’s Creative Council. Julie Nichols and Leah Blankendaal will commence on 1 January 2024 and Daniel O’Malley will commence on 1 July 2024.
They will join current members AJ America, Ketura Budd, Hannah de Feyter, Emma Batchelor, Christopher Carroll, Sophie Edwards, Marissa McDowell and Rachel Reid, who have all been reappointed.
Ketura Budd will Chair the Council with Julie Nichols taking on the role of Deputy Chair.
The Minister’s Creative Council is an advisory council, established in 2018, that provides a vital two-way link between the Minister and Canberra’s arts, culture and creative sector.
Minister for the Arts Tara Cheyne said “The appointment of Council members follows a public merit-based recruitment process. I’d like to thank all applicants for the time taken in expressing interest in the Council. It was a very strong field of candidates.
“I am looking forward to working with the new members who represent diverse artforms and backgrounds, adding fresh perspectives to the work of the Council as we continue our ambition for Canberra to be recognised as Australia’s art capital.
“The Council will work with me to progress priorities outlined in the ACT Government’s arts policy, Canberra: Australia’s Art Capital – Arts, Culture and Creative Policy 2022-26, which aim to:
- elevate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ cultural and artistic practices
- create opportunities for art and culture everywhere
- develop arts cultural and creative industry, practice and facilities
- promote our arts and culture to attract artists and creators, arts workers, visitors and investment
“Thank you to outgoing members Ian RT Colless, Ngaio Fitzpatrick and Ruth O’Brien for their work over the last two years as they finish their terms this month and thank you also to Ashley Zmijewski who will finish his term on 30 June 2024.”
About the MCC
The Minister’s Creative Council (MCC) is a positive, solutions focused, Ministerial advisory body for the arts in Canberra. The MCC is a two-way conduit of information and provides strategic advice to the ACT Government on the arts and sector issues.
The Minister’s Creative Council will advise the ACT Government on arts and cultural sector issues to inform future policy development.
