Creative Partnerships Australia Unveiled, Chief Executive appointed

Experienced not-for-profit sector manager, Fiona Menzies has commenced work as the first Chief Executive of Creative Partnerships Australia (CPA), the new agency set up to drive giving and investment in Australia's cultural sector.

CPA is the single agency created through the consolidation of the Australia Council's Artsupport Australia initiative and the Australia Business Arts Foundation (AbaF). Its establishment follows recommendations in the report of the 2012 Review of Private Sector Support for the Arts.

Launching the new agency, Federal Arts Minister Simon Crean explained that "donations, social investment and business partnerships are already essential to the innovation and sustainability of the cultural industries in Australia, but there's much more to be done.

"Creative Partnerships Australia is a crucial part of the strategy in the National Cultural Policy and I thank Mr Harold Mitchell (Chairman of the report committee) who recommended this new approach in his 2012 Review."

The Mitchell Report called for the amalgamation of AbaF and Artsupport into a new organisation with responsibility for encouraging and facilitating all private sector support for the arts in Australia.

Announcing Menzies' appointment, Minister Crean added "Creative Partnerships Australia has the responsibility for creating a new culture of giving and investment for the cultural industries in Australia by bringing donors, business, artists and cultural organisations together.

"A strong new agency requires strong and creative leadership and I welcome Ms Menzies to the role and look forward to her working together with Chair, Ms Carol Schwartz AM.

"Ms Menzies' experience as Development Manager of Melbourne's Wheeler Centre over the past three years, and her extensive background in arts policy provides the industry knowledge and innovative approach required to establish Creative Partnerships Australia."

Chair of Creative Partnerships Australia, Carol Schwartz AM said Menzies is recognised within the industry as a strategic and insightful voice on cultural sector development and planning, stating "she will be instrumental in leading Creative Partnerships Australia to encourage and support philanthropy and investment in the cultural industries."

Menzies said she was excited about the challenge of redefining the way the Australian cultural sector is supported, working in partnership with government, donors, investors and the community.

She explained "Australia's funding landscape is on the cusp of a generational change and I look forward to leading Creative Partnerships Australia to drive this change."

The Australia Council (AC) for the Arts welcomed Menzies' appointment with AC Chair Rupert Myer AM stating "the Australia Council welcomes the appointment of Ms Fiona Menzies.

"Her extensive arts sector experience, communications and policy background, combined with her deep commitment to arts and culture will provide valuable leadership to this important new organisation."