May 2018 has been a busy one for Arts North West. Following a comprehensive review of its governance structure, Arts North West elected a new skills-based Board at its AGM held on 11 May. The new Board of Management consists of nine members with the 2017 Chair Anna Watt (Glen Innes) re-elected to the position of chair, Sandy McNaughton (Inverell) as Vice-Chair, Sue Price (Moree) as Treasurer and Chris Newbigin (Inverell) as Secretary/Public Officer. Previous board members Hayley Ward (Armidale) and Vivien Clyne (Moree) will continue in 2018 and new to the Board are Peter Ross (Tamworth), Len Waters (Tamworth) and Sally Blackwood (Quirindi). We are delighted to have a diverse set of skills on the Board, from financial to legal as well as arts management in music, visual arts and theatre. The new Board structure also includes a second tier, the Strategic Advisory Council, which comprises a delegate from each of our contributing Local Government Authorities as well as four community arts organisation representatives. Arts North West is looking forward to working together to drive creativity in our communities.
And there have been more changes. After more than ten years above the Glen Innes Tourist Information Centre you can now find Arts North West at 16 East Avenue, in the beautiful Glen Innes King George Parklands. The new move will give Arts North West a more noticeable presence in the Glen Innes community and a more accessible location for staff and visitors. Our contact details remain the same.
Finally we would also like to welcome a new member of staff – Christine Davis as our new Admin Assistant.
Christine brings with her a wealth of experience in not for profit organisations and administration tasks, previously working for New England North West Landcare and Queensland Murray-Darling Committee.