New board appointments for QPAT board

Arts Minister Ian Walker today announced Chris Freeman AM as the new chair for the Queensland Performing Arts Trust.

Mr Walker also welcomed Maggi Sietsma AM, the founding artistic director of Expressions Dance Company, as a new board member to the Trust which governs the Queensland Performing Art Centre (QPAC) at the Cultural Precinct, South Bank.

“Mr Freeman and Ms Sietsma will bring new ideas to the board plus enormous knowledge and vision as QPAC builds on its reputation as one of Australia’s leading performing arts centres,” Mr Walker said.

“Mr Freeman is renowned for his passion for the development and future of Queensland and the role that arts and culture can play in enriching people’s lives.

“As chair of Major Brisbane Festivals he has seen this event grow to attract more than 1 million visitors in 2012.

“Ms Sietsma is known in the arts for her role as founder of Expressions and also her work in Singapore, Macau and Hong Kong.

“A former dancer and choreographer, it is probably fair to say that the performing arts are part of her DNA.”

Mr Walker thanked outgoing chair Mr Henry Smerdon AM who has been on the QPAT board since 2000, first as deputy chair and then chair from 2007.

“Henry has been a strong and visionary leader,” he said.

“As chair he has seen the organisation grow its audiences, attracting a million visitors in 2011–12 and made critical strategic partnerships through the QPAC International Series which has brought the Bolshoi Ballet and Hamburg Philharmonic, Ballet and Orchestra exclusively to Brisbane.”

Mr Walker said Rhonda White AM, Simon Gallaher, Sophie Mitchell and Mick Power AM will serve another three years as QPAT board members.

He also thanked outgoing QPAT board members, William Grant OAM, Paul Pittico, Professor Sue Street and Rachel Hunter, for their dedication and service.

[ENDS] 6 September 2013

Media contact: Alex Bernard 0417 252 563