Director of music appointed
16 June 2005
Kate Lidbetter has been appointed as the Australia Council's director of music
Ms Lidbetter has been the artist development manager of Symphony Australia for the past eight years, providing opportunities and training to Australian composers, conductors and performers.
Her areas of responsibility have included the Symphony Australia Young Performers Awards, the Conductor and Composer Development programs, composer commissioning and residency programs, masterclasses and industry fellowships.
After starting her career with in the Visual Arts/Craft Board of the Australia Council, Ms Lidbetter held positions as general manager of the Sydney Children's Choir and artistic administrator of Youth Music Australia. She holds a Bachelor of Arts (Music, USyd), a Graduate Diploma in Arts Management (UTS) and a Masters in Policy Studies (UNSW).
Ms Lidbetter's new position is one of the new artform directors announced by the Australia Council as part of its recent reorganisation.
The Australia Council's artform directors hold primary authority over the grants process and key organisations in their area, but funding decisions remain with the boards. They have a role in setting strategic priorities for the entire Council and in representing their artform area across all areas of Australia Council activity.