Queensland's top performing arts centre looks for leader
Published Friday, 27 June, 2008 at 07:03 AM
Minister for Education and Training and Minister for the Arts
The Honourable Rod Welford
Arts Minister Rod Welford said the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) had stepped up its search for a new chief executive officer.
Mr Welford said strong leadership, an entrepreneurial outlook, an enthusiasm for the performing arts and a track record of commercial success were essential qualities for QPAC’s new leader.
“The QPAC Board has recently conducted an international search for applicants and now this key position is being advertised locally and nationally,” Mr Welford said.
“It is vital to find the right person to lead QPAC into the future – it is a unique organisation with an enormous responsibility to the people of Queensland.
“QPAC is the state’s premier performing arts centre and an important part of Queenslanders’ cultural lives.
“It is also a business, with important strategic objectives. QPAC is not just a venue for the performing arts, it is an investor in the state’s dynamic arts sector and a producer of works varying from theatre to comedy to the highly successful Out Of the Box Festival for 3 to 8 year olds.”
Mr Welford said the new CEO would steer QPAC through a $34 million redevelopment, starting in November 2008.
“These works will make the centre more accessible to the public as well as improve its capacity to meet the expectations of today’s audiences, producers and venue hirers,” he said.
“QPAC is in a position of strength enjoying bumper sales and a blockbuster program, with more than 600,000 attendances at approximately 1,000 performances and events in the past 12 months.”
Queensland Performing Arts Trust chairman Henry Smerdon said the QPAC Board was looking for the right person to lead QPAC into the future.
“We are looking for a high calibre person who can maintain this strong position and take QPAC forward in this ever-changing environment and can also create a culture that befits the organisation – one that is both inspirational and exciting,” Mr Smerdon said.
“For this reason we are making every effort and taking our time in our search to ensure we get the best person for this important job.”
Media contact: Emma Clarey on 3237 1000
Mr Welford said strong leadership, an entrepreneurial outlook, an enthusiasm for the performing arts and a track record of commercial success were essential qualities for QPAC’s new leader.
“The QPAC Board has recently conducted an international search for applicants and now this key position is being advertised locally and nationally,” Mr Welford said.
“It is vital to find the right person to lead QPAC into the future – it is a unique organisation with an enormous responsibility to the people of Queensland.
“QPAC is the state’s premier performing arts centre and an important part of Queenslanders’ cultural lives.
“It is also a business, with important strategic objectives. QPAC is not just a venue for the performing arts, it is an investor in the state’s dynamic arts sector and a producer of works varying from theatre to comedy to the highly successful Out Of the Box Festival for 3 to 8 year olds.”
Mr Welford said the new CEO would steer QPAC through a $34 million redevelopment, starting in November 2008.
“These works will make the centre more accessible to the public as well as improve its capacity to meet the expectations of today’s audiences, producers and venue hirers,” he said.
“QPAC is in a position of strength enjoying bumper sales and a blockbuster program, with more than 600,000 attendances at approximately 1,000 performances and events in the past 12 months.”
Queensland Performing Arts Trust chairman Henry Smerdon said the QPAC Board was looking for the right person to lead QPAC into the future.
“We are looking for a high calibre person who can maintain this strong position and take QPAC forward in this ever-changing environment and can also create a culture that befits the organisation – one that is both inspirational and exciting,” Mr Smerdon said.
“For this reason we are making every effort and taking our time in our search to ensure we get the best person for this important job.”
Media contact: Emma Clarey on 3237 1000