Gresford's Ivan Skaines is looking forward to being able to make a contribution to the creativity of the Upper Hunter.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Mr Skaines has been elected Chair of Arts Upper Hunter (AUH), a community organisation which provides, supports and promotes opportunities for people and organisations involved in the creative industries across the Shires of Dungog, Muswellbrook, Singleton and Upper Hunter.
He was previously Vice Chair of the organisation and is well known in the shire as a long-term resident of the Gresford area, community worker and a former employee of Dungog Shire Council where he had the responsibility of 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," he said.
Mr Skaines 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 Mr Skaines.
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 from Muswellbrook and Peter Carlin from Murrurundi.
"Our immediate priority is recruiting a new Executive Director/Regional Arts Development Officer," said Mr Skaines.
"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."
