Our People - Arts Project Australia

Liz has over 15 years of experience as a curator and cultural leader in Australian and international contemporary art. She has held leadership positions at Adelaide Contemporary Experimental (ACE), Contemporary Art Centre of South Australia, and most recently the Institute of Modern Art (IMA), where she was Executive Director from 2019 – 2022. Prior to working as an Executive Director, Liz held curatorial positions at the Brooklyn Museum, Hazelhurst Regional Gallery, and Tandanya – National Aboriginal Cultural Institute. She is the recipient of a New Work Grant (Early Career), Early Career Residency Grant (both Creative Australia), a Dame Joan Sutherland Foundation Grant and in 2018 was recognised by InDaily as one of 40 under 40 business leaders in South Australia.

Virginia is the inaugural Director Performing Arts, University of Melbourne. Prior to this she was Executive Director/CoCEO of Melbourne Theatre Company and Executive Director at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. A highly experienced and well-respected arts executive, she successfully designed a range of strategic initiatives through her roles at Sydney Festival, Zoos Victoria, Sydney’s Powerhouse Museum, the Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney Theatre Company and the National Gallery of Victoria.

Tiffany Lucas is a lawyer and non-profit arts advisor. She is the director of TEL Consultants, a boutique consulting firm working with nonprofit arts organisations. Throughout her career, she’s worked in arts development and practised corporate and commercial law in the US and Australia. Tiffany is a Director on the Boards of Dancehouse Inc and Northern Rivers Performing Arts Centre, she is the Head of Legal at TEDxMelbourne and serves on the Auxiliaries Executve Committee at the Royal Children’s Hospital.

Marie is Chief Executive Officer with Leonard Joel, Australia’s largest multi-department Auction house, established in 1919. Marie has worked in a number of different industries, since qualifying over 20 years ago as a Chartered Accountant in Ireland. Her corporate experience overseas includes tax analyst, project management, group reporting, systems and people integration.

Kirsty Grant is a curator and writer with a specialist knowledge of Australian art developed over two decades working with major public collections. From 2015-16, as Director and CEO of Heide Museum of Modern Art, she oversaw the artistic direction and operations of one of Melbourne’s most loved art galleries.

Sheryl Bates is the parent of an artist at Arts Project Australia and is currently an educational consultant in teacher training, curriculum development and Special Education. Sheryl was previously the Executive Head of Teacher Training and Digital Resources at The Australian Ballet School. She has held senior positions at the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority, including Chief Assessor and Study Specialist for the foundational Victorian Certificate of Education in Dance.

Julia Cox is an award-winning Architectural Designer, Property Developer, and Arts Patron. With a business background in high end fashion and international textiles, she established her own design practice jcHQ in 2008. She is known for creating intelligent buildings and subtle interiors driven by a deep commitment to sustainable principles.

Denise works as Marketing & Partnerships Director at Melbourne International Comedy Festival, delivering high impact campaigns for one of the largest events in Australia’s cultural calendar. Denise brings significant experience working in corporate partnerships in the arts and entertainment sector and prides herself on bringing to life creative, impactful and mutually beneficial brand partnerships.

Rick is a Partner of SW Audit and a Director of SW Accountants & Advisors Pty Ltd. He has over 12 years experience across a broad range of business and private client advisory services to both listed and unlisted companies, funds management groups, SMEs, not for profits, charities and high net wealth private client groups. A Chartered Accountant and tax advisor, Rick collaborates with SW experts to deliver outstanding outcomes for clients and has experience in outsourced service and Digital Advisory services, including software adoption, implementation and data analytics.

Fiona is a practicing ceramicist, represented by galleries throughout Australia, as well as a seasoned People and Culture practitioner. In addition to a busy exhibition schedule, Fiona is currently the Manager of Learning and Organisational Development at Victoria Legal Aid. She relishes working within organisations to lift employee performance and engagement and firmly believes that taking a coaching approach to workplace challenges results in better solutions.

Mary Parker is an experienced communications and stakeholder engagement professional. She is currently the Director of Corporate Communications for the Melbourne Arts Precinct Corporation and was previous Director of Communications and Creative for the Cross Yarra Partnership and was instrumental in delivering the award-winning Metro Tunnel Creative Program. From 2002-2006 she was the Deputy Chair for the NZ International Fringe Festival.