SENDING SKETCHBOOKS: Caroline Downer, OAM, posting Arts North West Panorama Project content.
ARTS North West Executive Director, Caroline Downer has received an Order of Australia Medal for services to visual and performing arts, after dedicating more than 20 years to arts in the New England North West region.
Caroline took over the role of Executive Director at Arts North West in 2015, after seven years as Director of the New England Regional Art Museum.
In her role of Executive Director, Caroline plays an integral role within the Regional Arts NSW network to advocate for arts and culture in regional NSW. Caroline has successfully implemented and managed a comprehensive range of arts and cultural activities across the New England North West.
Caroline said the OAM emphasised the importance of arts and creativity in our communities, particularly during this difficult COVID-19 pandemic.
“The arts play such an important role in a healthy, happy and inclusive community” Caroline Downer
"When many of our arts venues have had to close, it has been really obvious that the arts play such an important role in a healthy, happy and inclusive community," Caroline said. "So, I am delighted that the arts sector is acknowledged in this special way."
Caroline has also volunteered for numerous New England North West arts organisations and committees including Musica Viva Armidale, the New England Bach Festival, Orpheus Music, New England Conservatorium of Music, the Armidale Youth Orchestra and the Armidale International Film Festival. She also serves on the State Government’s Classical Music Artform Advisory Board.
"I would like to think that I share this award with the many incredible creative people that live and work in the New England North West," Caroline said. "And also with the amazing volunteers who support and sustain arts and culture in this region - without them, so many of our arts activities just would not happen."
The Arts North West Boardjoins with the wider New England North West arts community in congratulating Caroline on this wonderful achievement.
“On behalf of the Arts North West Board I am delighted to congratulate Caroline on being a recipient of a Medal of the Order of Australia and named on the Queen’s Birthday Honours list.” Arts North West Chair, Anna Watt said.
“It is delightful to see that Caroline’s extensive contributions to arts and culture have been acknowledged.” Anna continued.