Steve has worked extensively in the arts over the past eighteen years since graduating as a theatre director from the Drama Centre at Flinders University South Australia.
Steve began working as a freelance theatre director in the early nineties with community and youth orientated arts companies such as Urban Myth and Junction Theatre. Then over a period of eight years he took lead managerial roles as Artistic Director of Riverland Youth Theatre (1996 - 1998), Manager, Artistic Programs of Junction Theatre (1998 - 2000) and General Manager for Brink Productions (2001 – 2004).
In 2005 Steve returned to freelancing and covered broad territory as Creative Producer for the 2005 and 2006 Adelaide Cabaret Festival and Special Events Program Coordinator for the Adelaide Fringe 2006. He was the recipient of the Australia Council’s 2005 Camden Head Community Cultural Development Residency and in 2006 he spent three months at the Hong Kong Fringe Club on an Asialink residency. He returned to the Hong Kong Fringe Club in 2008 to guest curate their Australia On Stage program. In 2009 Steve directed the installation performance work “Bedroom Dancing” for Restless Dance Theatre inclusion in that year’s Come Out Festival program. The work won the 2010 National Dance Award for best Community / Youth Dance project.
Since 1996 Steve’s work in regional areas of South Australia has been broad and long-lasting. Combine this with his extensive work across the spectrum of the arts in management, the development of new theatre based works as a director, writer, designer, composer, dramaturg and creative producer Steve is often sought as an outside eye / dramaturg for self devised multi art form works and mentor for new and developing artists. Since 1999 Steve has had the pleasure of an occasional creative and ongoing advisory relationship with performance company The Border Project and its director Sam Haren.
Previously Steve has sat on funding advisory panels for Carclew Youth Arts and Arts SA he is currently a board member for Restless Dance Theatre and he participated in the Leadership Institute of SA’s 2010 Governor Leadership Foundation Program. Steve currently sits on the Theatre Board for the Australia Council for the Arts.
He is currently Creative Producer, Regional Performance Development and Presentation at Country Arts SA developing contemporary professional performance in regional South Australia and has commissioned new works featuring regional artists for touring and festivals across the state and is the Artistic Director of the 2012 National Regional Arts Conference and Festival to be held in Goolwa, South Australia.
Phone
08 8444 0426
Mobile
0423 841 588
Fax
08 8444 0499
Email
steve.mayhew@countryarts.org.au
Jo McDonald has worked in regional arts since joining Country Arts SA in 2004 as an arts officer, then as Coordinator of the Fleurieu Biennale, followed by a year of maternity leave. On returning to work after her first child, Jo was the Project Manager for Regional Arts Australia for four years, making it a very logical step for her to accept the position of Conference Coordinator for the 2012 Regional Arts Australia National Conference.
Jo is the founder and director of Adelaide-based Move Through Life Dance Company, which has a vision to engage people in dance throughout their lives. Before becoming involved in the arts industry, Jo worked as a researcher and project officer in workforce development in the drug and alcohol field, and did a brief stint as the learning and development manager for a small registered training organisation and management consultancy. Jo has a Bachelor of Science, an honours degree in psychology, a partially completed Master of Psychology (Organisational), a Graduate Diploma in Creative Industries (Dance Teaching) and certificates in commercial music (performance) and workplace assessment and training.
Phone
08 8444 0428
Mobile
0423 290 436
Fax
08 8444 0499
Email
joanne.mcdonald@countryarts.org.au
After working as a Librarian in Canberra and Melbourne from1982-1991, Françoise trained as a Stage Manager at the Victorian College of the Arts. In 1995 she worked with Meryl Tankard Australian Dance Theatre as Stage Manager and from 1996 to 1998 at the School of Dance, Victorian College of the Arts as Production Manager. Since 1999 she has worked as a Stage Manager, Production Manager and Project Coordinator for the Adelaide Festival of Arts (1996-2002 & 2006), the Adelaide Cabaret Festival (2202-2007, 2010), State Theatre Company of South Australia, Brink Productions, the Adelaide Festival Centre, Arts Projects Australia, the Adelaide Festival of Ideas 2011, Womadelaide and Australian International Documentary Conference 2012. She is the resident Production Manager for Brink Productions.
Françoise is a committed organic gardener and eater of nice food, a recycling enthusiast and is currently studying the Diploma of Sustainability at TAFE SA.
As a Production Manager I am excited about being involved in KUMUWUKI / big wave for many reasons. It is wonderful to work with a new group of people including Country Arts SA staff and Regional Arts Australia as well as the artists and speakers presenting and the Goolwa community. I’m looking forward to meeting the challenges of this stand-alone event in a regional town which may not have all the infrastructure that we are used to having in Adelaide. I’m also pleased to be involved in the sustainable presentation of the event.
Email
francoise.piron@countryarts.org.au
Over the past 16 years Becci has worked for arts organisations and festivals around Adelaide, Australia and Europe, including an Arts Administration Traineeship at Carclew Youth Arts, working on the Adelaide Fringe, Adelaide Festival and Adelaide Film Festival, Melbourne Comedy Festival, Melbourne Film Festival and Sydney Film Festival, Ten Days on the Island (Tasmania), Edinburgh Fringe, and Raindance Independent Film Festival (London). In 2012 Becci worked on the Australian Performing Arts Market coordinating international guests representing some of the biggest arts venues, festivals and organisations around the world.
In 2010 Becci opened The Reading Room on Hindley Street, a Renew Adelaide initiative, which acts as a cultural community space in the centre of the city. The programming focuses on visual arts and spoken word from young and emerging artists, writers and performers and is staffed entirely by volunteers. In her spare time Becci is a contributor for fivethousand – an online resource for all things interesting in Adelaide – where she talks mostly about food.
I am looking forward to being a part of Kumuwuki / Big Wave for the chance to work with some of Australia’s most interesting and influential art makers and arts workers. I am also excited about working in and with the community of Goolwa to present a really huge and diverse program, and to highlight what makes Goolwa such a beautiful place to live, work, and to be creative.
Mobile
0427 007 561
Fax
08 8444 0499
Email
becci.love@countryarts.org.au
Since graduating from UniSA with a Bachelor in Recreation Planning and Management, Penny has loved working in the arts. Her experience includes two years as Administration Coordinator for State Theatre Company of South Australia, three years on the Patron Services team at the Adelaide Festival Centre and a stint as Event Liaison at Tourism Tasmania.
Her passion centres on events and festivals working in production and operations at the Adelaide Fringe in 2006, 07, 11 and 12, Hobart’s MONA FOMA in 2010, Edinburgh Fringe in 2007 and Junction, the 2010 Regional Arts Australia National Conference in Launceston.
A keen traveller, in 2011 Penny worked as a Customer Service Representative for Vancouver Symphony Orchestra in between journeying throughout Canada.
After living in Tasmania and Canada for the last few years, Penny is happy to be based back in her hometown Adelaide for 2012.
I am excited to be working on Kumuwuki / Big Wave, my second Regional Arts Australia National Conference. The energy and enthusiasm of so many arts practitioners gathering in one place is unmatched anywhere in Australia. To hold this event in Goolwa, with its vibrant culture and stunning environment, is going to be a real treat. The extensive program planned for the conference will be sure to enthral locals and visitors alike.
Mobile
0427 007 359
Fax
08 8444 0499
Email
penny.camens@countryarts.org.au
Kyra joined Country Arts SA in May 2011. She was previously Marketing Manager and Tour Co-ordinator for Australian Dance Theatre (ADT). Kyra has worked in marketing and publicity for three Adelaide Festivals as well as the Adelaide Festival Centre. Kyra has recently been dabbling in short film production as well as acting as a creative producer for three emerging Australian choreographers in her spare time.
My professional involvement with the arts began as a publicity secondment on Robyn Archer’s 1998 Adelaide Festival. Following a short-term contract on the 2000 Adelaide Festival I took up a full time position with the Adelaide Festival Centre as the Publicity and Promotions Co-ordinator and was a senior publicist for the 2002 Adelaide Festival.
I went on to form my own arts publicity company in 2002, working with a diverse range of clients before joining Australian Dance Theatre as Marketing Manager in 2003.
In 2005 my role within the company expanded to include tour co-ordination during international and national tours. This invaluable opportunity has enabled me to observe first hand arts marketing practice throughout the world. This has enabled me to develop a strategic “comparative practice overview” which I’ve incorporated in to my work and shared with colleagues in order to stimulate ideas and discussion.
While building a career in arts administration I have also sought to contribute back to a community that has provided me with mentors, friends and a passionate commitment to cultural development. Since 2004 I have worked with a number of emerging choreographers on a volunteer basis as well through ADT’s Enhancement program, providing advice and/or work in the areas of publicity, marketing, networking and sourcing supportive funding. I accepted an invitation to join the board of Restless Dance Theatre in 2008 and was the executive producer / first assistant director on a South Australian short film titled Alistair which was completed in 2010 and is currently in international competition in festivals in the UK, US, Europe and Asia.
My professional aim is to find new and exciting ways for artists to grow in their chosen discipline and find meaningful engagement with their communities for the benefit of all.
Phone
08 8444 0406
Mobile
0421 619 132
Fax
08 8444 0499
Email
kyra.herzfeld@countryarts.org.au
Nicole joined Country Arts SA in July 2011 as Marketing Officer for Just Add Water, the 2012 Regional Centre of Culture, and Kumuwuki / Big Wave. In addition to four years of practical experience in communications, public relations, marketing and events, her tertiary qualifications include a Bachelor of Arts in Communication, Media and Culture from the UniversityofSouth Australia.
Nicole has worked in marketing and communications at the University of Adelaide, Solar Shop Australia, The Adelaide Festival and Minda Incorporated, a not-for-profit organisation which supports people with intellectual disabilities.
Nicole has a background in dance and, in her spare time, performs in music theatre productions and corporate events.
Phone
08 8444 0429
Mobile
0427 008 740
Fax
08 8444 0499
Email
nicole.hall@countryarts.org.au
Simone joined Country Arts SA in July 2011. She was previously the Junior Publicist for the 2011 Big Pond Adelaide Film Festival. She has experience across a wide range of community events in the areas of public relations, marketing and event management. In November 2011 Simone completed her Post Graduate studies in Public Relations and Communications, complementing her double undergraduate degree, Bachelor of Education/Bachelor of Arts, where she majored in Globalisation and International Relations.
A social media addict, Simone will do her best to keep the conference updates coming in the lead up to October and when conference time hits she’ll no doubt be seen with iPhone in hand documenting all the happenings of Kumuwuki / Big Wave 2012.
At the age of 20 my studies in Globalisation took me overseas, studying for the better part of a year in Sweden and the Netherlands. During this time abroad I became fascinated with the different cultures in which I had taken up residence and also the resulting effects of grand scale globalisation and migration on these cultures and their emerging subcultures.
Upon my return to Australia I began to focus my studies on how access to digital technologies and new media can impact the success of different groups within our society, I also became interested in how the media works in relation to this. The latter of my interests is undoubtedly why I decided to study PR.
My first experience in Australia’s arts industry came during my time at the 2011 Big Pond Adelaide Film Festival. Part of my role was to manage the promotion of the Festival’s Foreign Film program. Again my interest in culture was brought to the forefront as I worked with different directors and writers utilising film as their medium to tell the stories of their homeland. Since starting at Country Arts SA I have now been exposed to artists working across our regions in multiple art forms to tell their unique stories.
From my involvement in BAFF 2011 my passion for the arts was born. I truly believe that we are working in one of the few industries that can break down the barriers of modern society and engage with people from all walks of life and cultural backgrounds. Kumuwuki / Big Wave 2012 will bring together the arts many sectors of professional artists, arts workers, volunteers, local shire and council employees to create opportunities to produce new works, show examples of their resilience and discuss their innovation and creativity to a large audience.
My personal aim for this conference is to develop a greater understanding of regional arts and to employ this knowledge to my continuing work at Country Art SA.
Phone
08 8444 0417
Mobile
0423 828 035
Fax
08 8444 0499
