Arts Funder Network (Funder only)

• To explore successful collaborations in the arts. 
• To discuss cross-sector partnerships with examples and a participating organisation in the Darwin Festival.
• To communicate a compelling roadmap towards Australia becoming a globally influential player in the field of arts and culture.

Overview

The Arts Funders Network, made up of a group of foundations and funders, convenes to promote and enhance philanthropic practice in the Arts in Australia.

The session aims to: 
1.    To explore successful collaborations in the arts
2.    To discuss cross-sector partnerships with examples from a participating organisation in the Darwin Festival
3.    To communicate a compelling roadmap towards Australia becoming a globally influential player in the field of arts and culture

In this network meeting, hear from Suzana Bishop, the CEO of NT Major Events Company (NTMEC). As the front door for the events industry in the Territory, NTMEC strives to grow industry capability, strengthen the NT’s identity as an exciting place to live and work and deliver world-class events to boost visitation and ultimately strengthen the Territory’s economy. As a key partner of the Darwin Festival and Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair, Suzana is uniquely placed to talk about strategies to help these two organisations continue to thrive.

Next, Zoe Scrogings, Executive Producer & CEO at Corrugated Iron Youth Arts will share the wins and learnings from cross-sector collaborations. Corrugated Iron Youth Arts is the Northern Territory’s leading youth arts company playing a crucial role in a region where there is no performing arts tertiary training or major performing arts company. The company has a co-production in this year’s Darwin Festival with Gravity and Other Myths and Zoe will share her view of the arts sector in Darwin.

To close the meeting, Kate Fielding, CEO of A New Approach, will update the group on the think tank’s refreshed five-year strategy. Having played a crucial role in the creation of and announcement of Australia’s first cultural policy in ten years, what’s next for this independent think tank?

Please note:

• this session will be recorded.
• presenters will share their thoughts and views in conversation, but will not offer any financial advice.

Audience

This event is for Philanthropy Australia funder members only, if you are not yet a member of Philanthropy Australia or want to find out more about the philanthropic work in this area, please reach out to [email protected].

Presenters

Suzana Bishop – Chief Executive Officer – Northern Territory Major Events Company (NTMEC)

Suzana started in NTMEC in December 2022, after relocating to Darwin from Melbourne with her family.

The former Victorian resident brings with her 25 years of experience in the tourism and events industry. For the past four years, Suzana led a comprehensive portfolio of events in Victoria as Chief Experience Officer at Federation Square. Some of the esteemed event organisations she has worked with also include the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, The Australian Grand Prix and The Royal Melbourne Show.

Suzana has served in various task forces and boards over the years, notably the Victorian Tourism Industry Council, Canberra International Music Festival Board, Port of Echuca, and Meetings and Events of Australia Board. Suzana is also an alumna of the Committee for Melbourne’s Future Focus Group program, a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, has a Master’s degree in advertising and an Executive MBA from RMIT University.

Zoe Scrogings – Executive Producer and Chief Executive Officer – Corrugated Iron Youth Arts 

Zoe is an arts manager and creative producer with over two decades of working in cross cultural collaborations, major events, and business development. Her local knowledge of the Top End comes from her previous roles as Business Development Manager with the Yothu Yindi Foundation, Garma Festival and Development Manager at Darwin Festival, stewarding a significant portfolio of corporate and philanthropic partnerships. Zoe has produced and developed social circus projects for young people with Rock n Roll Circus, Circa, Vulcana Women’s Circus and has produced a range of arts, digital activism and cultural exchange projects in Thailand, Timor Leste, Indonesia, India, and China. Zoe has held positions in leading youth arts companies as Executive Director Backbone, and Artistic Director and CEO of Contact Inc in Brisbane, Queensland as well Lecturer and sessional academic at QLD College of the Arts, Griffith University.

Kate Fielding – Chief Executive Officer – A New Approach (ANA) 

Kate Fielding has led ANA since its inception in 2018, drawing together a unique alliance of people across the country in governance, advisory and staffing roles to create a foundation on which ANA could grow and thrive. In this time, ANA has been credited with contributing to a distinct shift in the conversation and knowledge about arts and culture in Australia. Prior to her role with ANA, Kate was the Chair of the Goldfields-Esperance Development Commission in Kalgoorlie, and a member of the Board of the Australia Council for the Arts. She has been the Chair of Regional Arts Australia and of Country Arts WA, and was named a 40Under40 WA Business Leader in 2017.

Chair

Neal Harvey – Chief Executive Officer – Tim Fairfax Family Foundation 

Neal is the CEO of the Tim Fairfax Family Foundation. Previously he was a Program Manager with The Myer Foundation and Sidney Myer Fund where he helped secure the tax-free status of the Sidney Myer Creative Fellowships, establish A New Approach (Australia’s first think tank dedicated to arts and culture), and create the National Assistance Program for the Arts – a nation-wide COVID-19 emergency program supported by 29 philanthropists in every state and territory. 

Neal has a First-Class Honours BA and a PhD from the University of Queensland and an MBA from University of Melbourne/Melbourne Business School. Neal is a past Chair of Yarra City Council’s Arts Advisory Committee Melbourne company Snuff Puppets. He is currently a Fellow of the Queensland Academy of Arts and Science. 

Banner image credit: Inventi Ensemble