10 Executive Moves in the Live Sector

Victorian Music Development Office

The Victorian Music Development Office (VMDO) has Jas Moore (pictured above) as its new director.

Hailing from Albury Wodonga, Moore ran indie label Club Seven, and collaborated with bands, musicians, venues, large-scale public events and radio broadcasters to program events for White Night and the Reclink Community Cup.

He will deliver “practical solutions and inventions that enhance music businesses, including activating fan bases, utilising new technologies like Web3 or implementing sustainable practices to tackle the climate crisis”.

Simone Schinkel, CEO for Music Victoria which delivers VMDO for the State Government, noted: “Jas will be a huge asset for the music sector. He has a real eye for opportunity, is a natural problem solver and will create some special global connections across the industry.”

Darwin Festival

Darwin Festival’s new artistic director for 2023, Kate Fell, takes over in October from being program director at Brisbane Festival.

In her 20-year career, she was executive producer at Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) and creative director for Festival 2018 at Gold Coast Commonwealth Games after spending seven years at Circa.

She replaces Felix Preval who grew it since 2016 to be a major cultural and tourism destination, with the 2019 event smashing all previous ticket sales records over its 40-year history.

Arts Centre Melbourne

Karen Quinlan AM is new CEO of the refurbished Arts Centre Melbourne, effective Oct. 3. It showcases live music and hosts the Australian Music Vault.

A respected curator, arts administrator, a champion of First Nations culture and current CEO of the National Portrait Gallery in Canberra, Quinlan was most recognised for her transformative role as director of Bendigo Art Gallery from 2000 until 2018, bringing blockbuster exhibitions to regional Victoria, driving cultural tourism and the visitor economy.

Ainslie and Gorman Arts Centres

The Ainslie and Gorman Arts Centres in Canberra appointed Carly Davenport Acker as new director and CEO of the not-for-profit public company owner Arts Capital.

The A+G Centres are in Braddon on Ngunnawal country, and home to 40 artists, creatives and arts organisations, and a music venue for 200.

YIRRAMBOI Festival

Melbourne First Nations festival YIRRAMBOI hired Sherene Stewart (Taungurung/Filipino) as creative lead and J-Maine Beezley (Wakka Wakka) as lead creative producer, while Cara Tamandl returns as business manager.

Tura New Music

WA promoter, producer and presenter of new music events, Tura New Music, appointed Tara Gower to the new role of Kimberley-based regional producer.

A professional dancer with Bangarra Dance Theatre for 15 years, the Yawuru woman from Broome worked as a community liaison officer, developing youth wellness programs incorporating culture, dance and music.

Gower is already working on Tura’s next Kimberley project which starts in August – the Sound FX program in the Fitzroy Valley.

CBAA/ Creative Victoria

Nick Brown, Cable Ties band member, booking agent and volunteer at both 3RRR and PBS FM is project coordinator of a new Melbourne initiative developed by the Australian Music Radio Airplay Project (Amrap) to create live music events.

The Community Broadcasting Association of Australia, through eight community radio stations, will organise events under Creative Victoria’s initiative On The Road Again.

Arts North West

Arts North West (NSW) hired Lauren Mackley as new executive director, Kelly Lye as admin officer and farewells Lorrayne Fishenden as she starts on a new journey into motherhood.

Festival of Voices

Hobart’s Festival of Voices has engaged Isobel Marmion, a performer and storyteller from Adelaide, as its new festival director, replacing Peter Choraziak who had six years in the role.

Regional Arts Victoria

Regional Arts Victoria (RAV) farewelled director of programming, Rosie Dwyer.

She kept acts before regional audiences and during the pandemic, ensured shows were rescheduled rather than cancelled to keep artist fees intact, and touring programs were remotely-accessible.

She begins a degree in Climate Change Adaption to gain skills to support venues, artists and makers reduce their impact on the climate and support sustainable arts practices.