Kathy Keele Reappointed Australia Council Chief Executive

Minister for the Arts Peter Garrett has announced the reappointment of Kathy Keele as Chief Executive of the Australia Council for the Arts for a further five years.
Speaking of the reappointment Minister Garrett âunder Ms Keeleâs leadership the Australia Council has successfully delivered on its mandate to promote excellence, provide opportunities and foster appreciation of the arts in Australia.
âI am delighted Ms Keele has agreed to continue to lead the Australia Council during this critical period as we develop a national cultural policy and examine current arrangements for supporting artists and arts organisations.�?
Kathy Keele was first appointed to the role of the Australia Councilâs General Manager in 2007. During her first term as Chief Executive she has implemented important reforms which have resulted in a more efficient, transparent and effective national arts agency.�?
Australia Council Chair James Strong welcomed her reappointment.
âKathy has developed a strong and constructive relationship with the governing Council, the Government, and the wider arts sector, from urban to regional Australia. She has also forged a unity of purpose within the Council based on greater external focus and wider engagement.�?
Keele brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the Council. She was previously the Chief Executive Officer of the Australia Business Arts Foundation (AbaF) and is currently a board member of the International Federation of Arts Council and Cultural Agencies.
The Australia Council for the Arts is the Australian Governmentâs arts funding and advisory body. It supports Australiaâs arts through funding, strengthening and developing the arts sector. Each year it provides more than $158 million in funding for arts organisations and individual artists across Australia.