Members announced for South Australia’s new Artists at Work Taskforce

The South Australian Government has announced the membership of the new Artists at Work Taskforce, created to investigate work insecurity and income inequality experienced by some South Australian artists and arts workers.

After a call for expressions of interest in November 2023, 27 experts were announced from across the arts, cultural and creative industries to make up the taskforce.

Members include Art Gallery of South Australia Chair and former Lord Mayor Sandy Verschoor, Adelaide Festival Chief Executive Kath M Mainland and Artistic Director Ruth Mackenzie and South Australian actress and writer Elena Carapetis.

Members will convene regularly over a four-month period to provide expertise and advice on current issues and industry trends and developments.

The taskforce will make recommendations to the Minister on actions the State Government can take to address the issues artists and arts workers face in South Australia.

SA Minister for Arts Andrea Michaels enthused "it’s fantastic to announce the members of this important taskforce and I would like to sincerely thank all who applied.

“There is tremendous passion and experience in South Australia’s arts, culture and creative sector, reflected by the representatives who have joined this taskforce, and who will help create better outcomes and opportunities for artists and arts workers in our state.

‘Our arts, culture and creative sector contributes so much to South Australia and to the wellbeing of our community and it is vital that we ensure the sustainability of the sector for the long-term.

“I want South Australia to be a place where our arts, culture and creative sector grow and thrive and I look forward to working with the Artists at Work Taskforce to achieve this.

Sandy Verschoor, Chair of AGSA added “Arts and culture are intrinsically part of who we are in South Australia and I’m looking forward to working with the Minister and the taskforce to improve job security for artists and arts workers.

“Our cultural institutions, our world-class festivals, our events and performances are woven into the fabric of South Australia and it is essential that the people behind them - our artists and arts workers - are recognised and valued for the extraordinary contribution they make to our state.”

Kath M Mainland, Chief Executive of Adelaide Festival shared “I look forward to working with the Minister and government to address the job insecurity and other challenges currently being experienced by some artists and arts workers in South Australia.

“Our workforce is the backbone of our industry and is instrumental in making the amazing cultural events we have here happen. It’s great that there’s a specific taskforce to focus on them.”

The members are:

• Alison Lloydd-Wright (Chair)

• Elena Carapetis

• Daniel Connell

• Aaron Connor

• Mimi Crowe

• Christopher Drummond

• Sarah Feijen

• Jennifer Greer Holmes

• Angela Heesom

• Justyna Jochym

• Amanda Macri

• Ross McHenry

• Nicholas Linke

• Nathan Luscombe

• Kath M Mainland / Ruth Mackenzie

• Lewis Major

• William Mellor

• Jo O’Callaghan

• Anthony Peluso

• Rhys Sandery

• Simon Tait

• Sandy Verschoor

• John Wardle

• Emma Webb

• Patricia Walton

• Samuel Whiting

• Rebecca Young

For more details and member biographies

SA Minister for Arts Andrea Michaels enthused It’s fantastic to announce the members of this important taskforce and I would like to sincerely thank all who applied.

“There is tremendous passion and experience in South Australia’s arts, culture and creative sector, reflected by the representatives who have joined this taskforce, and who will help create better outcomes and opportunities for artists and arts workers in our state.

‘Our arts, culture and creative sector contributes so much to South Australia and to the wellbeing of our community and it is vital that we ensure the sustainability of the sector for the long-term.

“I want South Australia to be a place where our arts, culture and creative sector grow and thrive and I look forward to working with the Artists at Work Taskforce to achieve this.

Sandy Verschoor, Chair of AGSA added “Arts and culture are intrinsically part of who we are in South Australia and I’m looking forward to working with the Minister and the taskforce to improve job security for artists and arts workers.

“Our cultural institutions, our world-class festivals, our events and performances are woven into the fabric of South Australia and it is essential that the people behind them - our artists and arts workers - are recognised and valued for the extraordinary contribution they make to our state.”

Kath M Mainland, Chief Executive of Adelaide Festival shared “I look forward to working with the Minister and government to address the job insecurity and other challenges currently being experienced by some artists and arts workers in South Australia.

“Our workforce is the backbone of our industry and is instrumental in making the amazing cultural events we have here happen. It’s great that there’s a specific taskforce to focus on them.”

Image. Kath M Mainland, Chief Executive of Adelaide Festival