The CEO of the ACT Cultural Facilities Corporation, Gordon Ramsay, is pleased to announce the ACT Government’s appointment of new members to the CFC’s Board, while also farewelling, with thanks, those members whose terms expire this year.
Helen O’Neil, currently the Board’s Deputy Chair, has been appointed the new Chair of the Board by ACT Minister for the Arts, Tara Cheyne MLA.
“Helen is extremely well-positioned to take on this important role at the CFC. Under her leadership, the organisation is well poised to live out the vision of being a leader in this creative city and playing its central role in the Minister’s Statement of Ambition for the Arts,” Mr Ramsay said.
The CFC – through the Canberra Theatre Centre, Canberra Museum and Gallery, ACT Historic Places, and its broader work – is driving growth in the contribution of the arts to the ACT economy, supporting local artists and attracting visitors locally and interstate. “With people’s increasing confidence to get out and connect in community and have rewarding social and cultural experiences, the CFC is seeing patrons return enthusiastically to the theatre for live music, comedy and musicals, to historic Lanyon homestead for its ghost tours and bush food talks, and to CMAG to absorb the iconic Sidney Nolan collection.”
The new appointees to the CFC Board are Dr Rachael Coghlan, from Cultural Strategy and Experience at Australian Parliament House, and formerly of Craft ACT; Michael Sollis of Musica Viva and The Griffin Ensemble; and Tim Lo Surdo of social enterprise advisory service, Mill House Ventures. Dr Coghlan has been appointed Deputy Chair of the Board.
“Rachael, Michael and Tim will bring expertise in arts practice, strategic transformation, innovation, collaboration and sound governance,” said Mr Ramsay. “The Board is very well placed for the CFC’s integral future in Canberra’s ongoing creative and economic development.”
Mr Ramsay thanked outgoing Chair, Justice Richard Refshauge, for his service to the CFC. “Richard has brought great wisdom, deep thinking, and a highly collaborative spirit to his role over the past three years, helping to lay foundations for our growth and innovation,” said Mr Ramsay.
Minister Cheyne welcomed the new Board members, and thanked outgoing members, Justice Refshauge and Vicky Darling (whose terms finish on 30 June) and Julian Widdup (whose term finishes on 31 December). “The CFC Board is a highly-engaged group of people who are passionate about the arts and provide thoughtful cultural leadership for the ACT, supporting diverse and engaging theatre, gallery, and museum programming and helping
the wider arts ecology to thrive.
“I’m grateful to the outgoing members for the contribution of their time, energy and wisdom, particularly through the difficult period of the last few years. In addition to the direction, support and guidance they provided during this time, they have helped to position the CFC for growth.”
The new appointees join existing board members Genevieve Jacobs and Shad Sears.
The CFC will be part of the City Renewal Authority’s upcoming Civic Square activation, Winter in the City, with fun school holiday activities in CMAG as well as a major Sidney Nolan exhibition, Search for Paradise, a range of great comedy shows at Canberra Theatre plus a winter Terrace Bar serving mulled wine by fire braziers, overlooking the ice skating rink, and CMAG’s first after dark party, an immersive 80s night to celebrate the retro “Back to the Boombox” exhibition.
Media Contact: Brooke Thomas 0437 290 776