The Canberra Region is home to many diverse artists and arts organisations that provide inspiration and opportunity for residents within Canberra and beyond. We also have strong engagement in the arts with 99% of Canberrans engaging in creative and artistic activities and events, as well as the highest cultural participation for adults (45%) of any jurisdiction in Australia.
artsACT is part of the Chief Minister, Treasury and Economic Development Directorate within the Economic Development Division. As the ACT Government’s arts agency, we provide policy and funding advice to government; manage the ACT Arts Fund and a range of other arts development and funding initiatives; manage the ACT Government public art collection of over 100 artworks; oversight and policy responsibility for community arts facilities; and maintain links with other arts and cultural organisations in Australia and internationally.
We do this to recognise the integral part that arts and culture play in our community and to encourage creativity, celebration, thinking and exchange.
Our connection with the Cultural Facilities Corporation as the other arm of ACT Government arts activity is vital, as is working across the ACT Government to increase the visibility of the arts, promote our vision and look for opportunities for partnerships and development to benefit the arts in Canberra.
We believe that Canberra is an influential part of the arts and cultural sector nationally and globally and we want to share that story.
Our Minister
artsACT reports to the Minister for Business, Arts and Creative Industries, Mr Michael Pettersson MLA.
Our Staff
A/g Executive Branch Manager
Teresa Comacchio
Phone: 02 6205 6001
Email: Teresa.Comacchio@act.gov.au
Business Support
Sarah Sledge, Executive Assistant and Business Support
Phone: 6205 9127
Email: Sarah.Sledge@act.gov.au
Elizabeth Nangle, Business and Communications Support
Phone: 02 6207 2384
Email: Elizabeth.Nangle@act.gov.au
Arts Policy
Responsible for policy, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander engagement, managing the ACT's involvement in the interjurisdictional meetings, communications, research and development and international engagement. The team also manage the development of the Kingston Arts Precinct.
Georgia Hobbs, Senior Director
Phone: 02 6207 2186
Email: Georgia.Hobbs@act.gov.au
Sonia Hailes, Assistant Director
Phone: 02 6207 2850
Email: Sonia.Hailes@act.gov.au
Ian RT Colless, Assistant Director Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Engagement, Culture and Arts
Phone: 02 6205 2252
Email: IanRT.Colless@act.gov.au
Toni Bailey, Assistant Director, Kingston Arts Precinct
Phone: 02 6207 4246
Email: Toni.Bailey@act.gov.au
Ellanor Webb, Project Officer, Kingston Arts Precinct
Phone: 02 6207 1979
Email: Ellanor.Webb@act.gov.au
Arts Programs
Responsible for the administration of arts funding programs for the ACT Government, including Arts Organisation Investment Program funding, Arts Activities funding, ACT Book of the Year Award and a range of arts initiatives.
Rebecca Kite, Assistant Director
Phone: 02 6205 3662
Email: Rebecca.Kite@act.gov.au
Kiki Skountzos, Programs Officer
Phone: 02 6207 5408
Email: Kiki.Skountzos@act.gov.au
Hannah Carrigy, Programs Officer
Phone: 02 6205 9404
Email: Hannah.Carrigy@act.gov.au
Alison Aedy, Programs Officer
Phone: 02 6205 9703
Email: Alison.Aedy@act.gov.au
Public Art & Creative Spaces
Responsible for management of the ACT Government public art collection and policy related to community arts facilities.
Libby Gordon, Director
Phone: 02 6205 5468
Email: Libby.Gordon@act.gov.au
Jen Collins, Assistant Director Arts Infrastructure
Phone: 02 6205 4001
Email: Jen.Collins@act.gov.au
Cris Clucas, Arts Infrastructure Project Officer
Phone: 6207 8946
Email: Cris.Clucas@act.gov.au
Angie McDuff, Public Art Project Officer
Phone: 02 6207 2380
Email: Angie.McDuff@act.gov.au