Othello
Ms Katherine Hough is the new Director for Arts Tasmania. I fear this is a divisive move.
Ms Hough, after all, was Arts Adviser to former Premier Jim Bacon at the time The Emperor memorably lambasted artists protesting at Forestry Tasmania sponsorship of 10 Days on the Island as cultural fascists.
The wounds of that little standoff still fester.
And Othello fears Ms Hough will be too entrenched in that establishment camp to bring a uniting salve.
Here’s Paula’s gushing announcement …
New Director for Arts Tasmania
A candidate with strong arts management and government policy credentials has been appointed the new Director of Arts Tasmania.
The Minister for Tourism, Arts and the Environment, Paula Wriedt, said the appointment of Ms Katherine Hough is great news for the arts in Tasmania.
“Ms Hough has the experience, the skills and the expertise to drive the arts forward and build further on Tasmania’s reputation for a dynamic and vibrant arts sector.”
Ms Hough began her career in the arts in Perth, Western Australia, more than 20 years ago and highlights include coordinating the Festival of the Dreaming as part of the Sydney Olympics Arts Festivals, being the operations manager of the Sydney Dance Company and the program manager of the Canberra Theatre Trust.
Ms Hough came to Tasmania in 1999 to be the chief executive officer of the Theatre Royal in Hobart. For four years, Ms Hough worked as the arts advisor to former premier Jim Bacon. Most recently she has been the Director of the Policy and Projects Unit in the Department of Tourism, Arts and the Environment.
Ms Wriedt said Ms Hough’s appointment is particularly timely, with the release last month of An Island Inspired, a discussion paper on a new vision for the arts in Tasmania.
“This discussion paper is seeking input from people throughout the state on a new vision for the arts in Tasmania,” Ms Wriedt said.
“It comes on the back of a record investment in the arts by the State Government in the 2007/08 Budget, including an increase of $1.5 million each year for arts grants, programs and new initiatives.”
Ms Wriedt once again paid tribute to the work of out-going Arts Tasmania Director, Lynne Uptin, and her achievements for the arts sector in Tasmania.
“Lynne Uptin leaves a record of strong leadership behind her and the appointment of Ms Hough will ensure that the many successes of the last decade are built upon as we move towards a new vision for the arts in Tasmania.”
Katherine Hough – Curriculum Vitae
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
2006-present DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM, ARTS & The ENVIRONMENT (DTAE)
Position: Director, Policy & Projects Unit/ Secretariat
2005-2006 DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM, PARKS, HERITAGE & THE ARTS
Position: Principal Policy & Projects Officer
2004- June2005 OFFICE OF THE PREMIER, TASMANIA
Deputy Chief of Staff
2001- 2004 OFFICE OF THE PREMIER, TASMANIASenior Policy Adviser
1999-2001 THEATRE ROYAL HOBART
Position: Chief Executive Officer
1997-1999 SYDNEY DANCE COMPANY
Position: Operations Manager
July-October 1997 SOCOG OLYMPIC ARTS FESTIVALS
Position: Project Co-ordinator, Festival of the Dreaming
1995-1997 CANBERRA THEATRE TRUST
Position: Program Administrator
1994-1995 General Manager, Griffin Theatre Company
1993-1994 Freelance events management and publicity
1992 Project Co-ordinator, Darling Harbour Authority
1990-1991 Assistant General Manager, Beck Theatre, London
1986-1990 Special Projects Officer, Perth Theatre Trust
1985 Youth Arts Officer, Youth Affairs Bureau W.A.
TRAINING AND EDUCATION
1999 Fundraising and Philanthropy in the Arts
Queensland University of Technology short course
1986-1988 Associate Diploma of Performing Arts (Arts Management)
W.A. Academy of Performing Arts
1984-1985 Associate Diploma of Trinity College London
(Speech & Drama teaching)
1984 Tertiary Admissions Examinations, Penrhos College, Perth W.A.
OTHER INFORMATION
Professional associations & committees
2001-current Various interdepartmental committees on policy issues
across State government
2000-2001 Vice President, Australasian Performing Arts Centres Association
2000-2001 Executive Committee, Australian Presenters’ Group
2000-2001 Convenor, LIVE Tasmania performing arts marketing
1996-2001 Long Paddock Arts Presenters’ Group
1996-2000 Confederation of Australasian Performing Arts Presenters
Community & other associations
2007 Volunteer mentor, Festival of Dreams
Volunteer, RSPCA Tasmania
Committee member, Cultural & Policy Platform, Australian Labor Party (Tasmanian Branch)
Team member & fundraiser, Cancer Council Relay for Life
2004 Chair, Cultural & Policy Platform, Australian Labor Party (Tasmanian Branch)
1992-current Member, Amnesty International
Languages
Good spoken and written French
Currently learning Italian; some basic Japanese
Interests & hobbies
Food, wine, travel, politics, film, theatre, gym, bushwalking, books, music, dogs, rugby
