Ivan Skaines, Chair of Arts Upper, interviewed by ABC Newcastle Radio
Ivan Skaines has been elected Chair of Arts Upper Hunter (AUH), at the Annual General Meeting held on 1 April 2021. He was previously Vice Chair.
Ivan is looking forward to being able to make a contribution to the creativity of the Upper Hunter.
“I am a long-term resident of the Gresford area and a former employee of Dungog Shire Council where my responsibilities included tourism, economic development and events. I am currently Grants and Community Engagement Co-ordinator for Muswellbrook Shire Council, and a member and volunteer for several local community organisations including Gresford District Historical/Museum, Vacy Community Arts Centre and Paterson Historical Society/Museum. “
Ivan is also the Co-founder and former Vice-President of Newcastle Pride, an inclusive, vibrant, and fun not-for-profit LGBTIQ+ community-based organisation established in 2018 to make Newcastle and the Hunter Region a safer, happier, healthier, and more culturally rich place for the LGBTIQ+ community. The Team at Newcastle Pride were responsible for staging Festivals in Newcastle in 2018 and 2019, and this year’s Festival will include events in Lake Macquarie and Maitland.
“The AUH Board has a diverse background and skills and expertise in all areas of the creative industries” said Ivan.
Other members are of the Board of Arts Upper Hunter Council delegates Robert Booth (Dungog – current Vice Chair and former Chair), Kim Manwarring (Muswellbrook – Treasurer), Cr Danny Thompson (Singleton) and Jacqui Bakewell (Upper Hunter). Two additional co-opted Board members are Georgia Pascoe (Muswellbrook) and Peter Carlin (Murrurundi).
“Our immediate priority is recruiting a new Executive Director/Regional Arts Development Officer. Our longer terms include increasing and diversifying our income, building on existing partnerships and developing new ones and generally providing day to day and strategic support for the creative industries in the Upper Hunter” said Ivan.
Ivan is keen to answer any questions about Arts Upper Hunter and can be reached on 0428 258 464 or ivan_skaines@bigpond.comj