New Chamber of Arts and Culture WA Launched

Media Release: For immediate release: (from Chamber)

Chamber of Arts and Culture Western Australia launched in WA

The Chamber of Arts and Culture WA, the first Chamber of its kind in Australia, was launched today at His Majesty’s Theatre in Perth by its Chairman elect, Sam Walsh AO. Present was Western Australia’s Minister for Culture and the Arts, the Hon. John Day MLA and over 100 key arts and culture participants and leaders.  

Formed to provide a united voice to promote, advocate and represent the value of a vibrant and sustainable arts and cultural sector in Western Australia, the Chamber launches at a time when Western Australia is emerging as a key centre of economic growth off the back of its rapidly expanding resources sector.

“This is a perfect time to celebrate our achievements, address our challenges and develop a world class arts and culture hub in WA to match our growing reputation as an economic powerhouse in the region.” said Mr Walsh.

“The Chamber of Arts and Culture WA will be the state’s representative arts body, providing an independent, cohesive voice for the sector in Western Australia,” he said.  

[see full media release at http://www.cacwa.org.au/media/]

The Board comprises five selected and 7 elected board members.

The five selected Board members are:

• Chairman elect, Sam Walsh, Chief Executive of Rio Tinto Iron Ore, Chairman of the Australian Arts and Business Foundation WA Chapter and the Black Swan Theatre Company.

• Janet Holmes a Court AC,celebrated arts advocate
• John Langoulant AO, WA Ballet Board member and businessman,
• Helen Cook, former WA Art Gallery Chair,
• and Margaret Sears AO respected arts expert

They are joined by seven key arts contributors nominated and elected by the membership of the former WA Arts Federation and new members of the Chamber:

• Jude van der Merwe, the former Chair of the WA Arts Federation and Artsource Executive Director,
• Jane King, Executive Officer, Museums Australia,
• Mark Bin Bakar, well known arts personality and indigenous culture and arts advocate,
• Cathcart Weatherly, General Manager, Spare Parts Puppet Theatre
• Pilar Kasat, Manging Director, Community Arts Network Western Australia
• Graeme Sward, General Manager, Film & Television Institute
• Barry Strickland, arts consultant writer and researcher and former ABC Radio National Broadcaster.