Elizabeth Walsh (Chair), TAS

Elizabeth Walsh is a respected figure across the arts in Australia and internationally. Her work and knowledge span the performing and visual arts, from small to medium size companies to major centres for the creative arts and multi-artform festivals. She has been a key figure in the development of Australian programme content which is both culturally relevant to audiences and pushes the boundaries of contemporary arts practice.

Elizabeth Walsh has just completed her term as artistic Director of the 10 days on the Island festival (2007, 2009 and 2011) having been involved since its inception as Program Manager (2001) and Executive Producer (2002–2005).

Elizabeth is former Program Manager of the Sydney Festival (1994–1997) and Sydney Opera House Trust (1997–1999), Director of Footscray Community Arts Centre (1991–1994) and held various roles with the Flying Fruit Fly Circus (1983–1989), including that of producer, Tour and Company manager.

Elizabeth is a graduate of the Victorian College of the Arts School of Drama and has worked in a freelance capacity with companies and artists including Circus Oz, Adelaide Festival, Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Danceworks, Lyndal Jones and Anthony Steel and Associates.

She is currently an external artistic assessor for Creative New Zealand, a board member of Theatre Royal (Hobart), a member of the Confederation of Australian International Arts Festivals and a life member of the Flying Fruit Fly Circus.

Sandra Collins, NSW

Sandra’s career began in media, sales and marketing where she held key executive positions at Nine Network, TEN and Media Sales Network. She spent several years living in Europe and the UK, where she worked in the finance sector and managed a visual artists co-op. Upon returning to Australia, she completed a Diploma in Dramatic Art and worked consistently as an actor on stage, TV and in film. In 1999 she was nominated for NZ Film Awards Best Supporting Actress. Sandra was also a stand-up comedian performing regularly on the stand-up circuit and comedy festivals in Australia and New Zealand.  She has taught drama at ATYP, Brent Street and the Sydney Acting School.

In early 2000 she worked with the Olympics Art Festival producing the Festival’s Live Sites entertainment. During 2000 she was offered the position of Business Manager at Bangarra Dance Theatre where for the next 9 years she was responsible for negotiating and successfully securing all the company’s national and international tours including seasons at Sadler’s Wells, London, Théâtre du Châtelet Paris, Kennedy Centre, Washington DC and Brooklyn Academy of Music, New York, Palace of the Arts, Budapest.

In 2011 she was responsible for project management of the inaugural NSW Aboriginal Dance Forum. Sandra currently consults to the Performing Arts sector and is the Producer at Version 1.0, a Sydney based performance company.

Matthew Morse, VIC

Matthew is the Executive Director, Strategy and Programs of Creative Partnerships Australia. His previous roles include Cultural Development Manager of Sydney Theatre Company and the Australian Ballet and General Manager of Melbourne based contemporary dance company BalletLab.
Matthew has also been a board member of BalletLab and Ausdance Victoria, and was Chair of the Melbourne Fringe Festival. Most recently Matthew completed the Australia Council’s Emerging Leaders Professional Development program in 2012.

Michelle Ryan, SA

Michelle Ryan is an arts practitioner with over twenty years experience in the areas of film, performance, choreography and administration.

Michelle worked for Queensland Arts Council before joining Meryl Tankard in Canberra and Adelaide (Meryl Tankard’s Australian Dance Theatre). She was a performer with Tankard for 7 1Ž2 years followed by projects in Europe as Tankard’s assistant. On returning to Australia, Michelle was a founding member and Associate Artist for Splintergroup. From 2005 - 2010 Michelle worked at Dancenorth in various capacities including Artistic Manager, Rehearsal Director, Choreographer and Assistant Producer.

In 2009 Michelle created the dance film Nerve Ending and in 2010 created Four Short Films About Juanita before joining National Disability Services Queensland. Michelle performed in the Brisbane Festival season of Out of Context for Pina by Les Ballet C de la B in 2011.

In 2013 Michelle was appointed Artistic Director of Restless Dance Theatre in Adelaide.

Rosemary Hinde, VIC

Rosemary Hinde is an independent creative producer who for more than 20 years has specialised in projects that connect Australian and Asian arts and artists.

Rosemary was the inaugural Artistic Director of the Kenneth Myer Asian Theatre Series at Arts Centre Melbourne, (2008-2012) where she established a biennial performing arts program and an Asian artist in residence and development program.

She was founder and director of Hirano Productions (1994-2008), Australia’s first international agency to focus on touring and exchange with Asia. The company toured more than 100 productions throughout Asia as well as producing and co-producing inter-cultural co-productions that were presented at leading venues and festivals in Asia and Australia.  The company also managed several exchange programs with Asian countries. 

Prior to this Rosemary worked: in the performing arts sector in Tokyo, Japan (1991-1994) as Program Manager at Melbourne Festival (1986-1991) during this period she was an intern at Hong Kong Arts Festival (1988/1989) and toured extensively throughout Asia as the 1987 Mobil Fellow in Arts Administration. She was general manager of Danceworks (1983-1985).

Rosemary has been a peer adviser at the Australia Council on several occasions including for: the Dance Board, Going Global, Korea- Australia Connection and APAM 2010 & 2012 as well mentoring emerging producers.