Are you looking for a pathway towards a career as a Creative Producer or Artistic Director?
Join us online and gain insight from the people behind four of the biggest annual festivals in WA. Hear from these inspirational leaders in this panel discussion about the craft behind putting festivals together. Joining us will be Iain Grandage (Perth Festival), Amber Hasler (FRINGE WORLD), Stuart MacLeod (Fairbridge Festival), and Jenny Simpson (AWESOME Arts).
About the Panelists
Iain Grandage - Artistic Director, Perth Festival
Born in Brisbane and raised in Perth, Iain is one of Australia’s most highly regarded and acclaimed collaborative artists and programmers. He has won seven Helpmann Awards and his long history with Perth Festival began with Black Swan Theatre productions of Merry-Go-Round in the Sea in 1997. As a programmer, he curated the chamber music program for the 2018 Adelaide Festival and was the Artistic Director of the Port Fairy Spring Music Festival from 2016-18.
Amber Hasler - FRINGE WORLD Director, Artrage
Amber has been instrumental in building FRINGE WORLD to its position as the third biggest international Fringe event of its kind in terms of tickets sold and the biggest annual festival in Western Australia. Her direction of the festival has helped transform perceptions of Perth by enlivening city spaces, introducing new live acts from thousands of local and international artists to audiences across the state during the month-long celebration in January /February.
Stuart MacLeod - General Manager, FolkWorld Inc. / Fairbridge Festival
Stuart MacLeod, General Manager of the Fairbridge Festival, has been an integral member of the Australian music scene for over 21 years, as a founding member of Eskimo Joe since 1997, and for three years as the General Manager of radio station RTRFM between 2015-18. Stu is a husband, a father of twins, a passionate Dockers supporter, a massive nerd, a keen problem solver, and a lover of music, art, and creativity in all forms.
Jenny Simpson - CEO / Artistic Director, AWESOME Arts
Jenny joined AWESOME in 2007, bringing to the role extensive experience as a business manager, festival director, performer, and teacher. Jenny has previously held several board positions including Treasurer of Canberra Arts Marketing, President of KULCHA, Multicultural Arts WA, and board member for the Chamber of Arts and Culture. At AWESOME Jenny combines her passion for presenting high quality and innovative arts with community cultural development and working with regional communities.
About KickstART Virtual
22 - 29 May 2020
For 10 years KickstART has been the flagship event for Youth Week WA, however things are a little different in 2020.
As a response to the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent live event cancellations, Propel Youth Arts WA is presenting KickstART Virtual: a week-long online festival of free workshops, talks, and hangouts, specifically tailored to young creative people in WA, and developed by Creative Coordinator Kobi Arthur Morrison with the Youth Week WA Planning Committee.
KickstART takes place on Noongar Boodjar. We acknowledge the ownership and are grateful for the custodianship of the people who originate from the Whadjuk nation. We acknowledge the traditional owners of country throughout Australia. We pay our respect to Elders past and present. We are committed to reconciliation and supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people.
KickstART Virtual is presented by Propel Youth Arts WA and is funded by the Government of Western Australia through the Department of Communities and the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries. KickstART is also sponsored by Lotterywest and the City of Perth.