ARTRAGE has a voluntary un-paid Board that provides strategic advice, governance and oversight to the organisation.
The ARTRAGE Team consists of the core staff members listed below. Additional staff members are employed to support specific projects such as FRINGE WORLD Festival and Rooftop Movies.
Board
Noel Whitehead
Chair
Noel Whitehead
Chair
Noel has held senior executive and advisory positions in the public and private sectors. Noel holds a Bachelor of Laws, Master of Industrial relations and Bachelor of Business degrees.
His work has included advising government Ministers and representing the State Government, private sector employers, and employees in matters before Federal and State tribunals and courts.
Noel also has extensive experience working in the NGO sector. One of his most rewarding positions was managing a refugee settlement agency in Mirrabooka at a time when Australia was responsible for settling refugees through the UNHCR from Syria and Iraq and other war-torn countries including Eritrea and South Sudan.
Brodie McCulloch
Co-Deputy Chair
Brodie McCulloch
Co-Deputy Chair
Brodie McCulloch is the Founder and Managing Director of Spacecubed, a coworking, collaboration and innovation space located in Perth, and he has completed a Churchill Fellowship to explore global models for supporting entrepreneurship and innovation.
Carolyn Chard
Co-Deputy Chair
Carolyn Chard
Co-Deputy Chair
Carolyn Chard is Executive Director, West Australian Opera and has worked in senior leadership roles with Deckchair Theatre 1992-1994, Barking Gecko Theatre 1995-1999, Awesome Festival 1995-1999, Black Swan Theatre secondment 2000; West Australian Opera 2001-2005, Opera Australia 2005-2009, West Australian Opera (2010-current). She has a Bachelor of Arts, Arts Management (WAAPA 1990-1992) and studied fashion design (1986-1988). In the ‘80s she produced dance parties, wrote music reviews and a weekly club column and was a volunteer with Artrage.
In 2004 she undertook an Executive Program for Non-Profit Leaders (Arts) fellowship at Stanford University, California; was state finalist in Telstra Business Women of the Year awards 2010; state finalist in the WA Citizen of the Year Awards in 2014; was awarded a place in McKinsey’s inaugural ‘Remarkable Women Program’ in 2014.
She was awarded in the 2018 Queen’s Birthday Honours List as member in the General Division (AM) of the Order of Australia for services to the arts and received an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Western Australia in July 2023 entitling her as Hon. Dr Carolyn Chard AM BA(ArtsMgt) ECowan, HonDMus W.Aust
Ezra Hefter
Hon Treasurer
Ezra Hefter
Hon Treasurer
Following studies in Law, Chemistry and Extractive Metallurgy, Ezra Hefter has worked in scientific research and in the resources industry, before trading in the test tubes for the tax act as a partner at Ernst & Young where he has been for 18 years. He has worked with government and appeared before Senate Committees in relation to support for R&D and Innovation in Australia. When not talking tax, Ezra has a range of interests including the arts, old British cars, social justice issues, food, theatre, travel, and BBQ.
Rowan Clarke
Board Member
Rowan Clarke
Board Member
Rowan’s diverse professional experience includes over 15 years within business development, property and investment banking both locally and internationally. He is a Director of Hesperia Property. Rowan holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Western Australia and has completed his MBA at London Business School. He is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia and has a Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Finance.
Zahra Peggs
Board Member
Zahra Peggs
Board Member
Zahra is the Chief People & Corporate Affairs Officer of TSA Group, Australia’s leading specialist in customer experience consultancy and services. She is an expert corporate communicator, focused on transforming the employee experience in the CX industry.
Sue Meaghan
Board Member
Sue Meaghan
Board Member
Sue is an experienced policy advisor and legal practitioner, with over 25 years working in the native title sector across Government, representative body and consulting roles. She holds a Bachelor of Laws, and brings a background of leadership, policy and governance experience to the Board.
Dean Misdale
Board Member
Dean Misdale
Board Member
(Artist Representative - Non-Voting)
Dean is a multi-award-winning artist and drag performer who has won Entertainer of the Year at the 2019 Proud Awards and most recently took home the award for best Cabaret and Variety Show at FRINGE WORLD 2022. Dean’s music theatre credits include Killer Queen, We Will Rock You The Musical, Miss Understanding and Priscilla Queen of the Desert The Musical.
Executive
Jo Thomas
CEO
Jo Thomas
CEO
Jo Thomas is an experience arts leader and creative force. As CEO, Jo is excited to continue the ARTRAGE Vision of embedding arts in the hearts and minds of all West Australians and to drive projects and events that will surprise and delight.
Hailing most recently from Brisbane, Jo brings with her a prodigious career history as an Artistic Director, CEO, Churchill Fellow, Telstra Business Woman of the Year, and member of the Asian Producers Platform.
Jo was also a performer for many years starting her career playing a leprechaun in year one!
Katie Anne Dixon
Head of Production and Operations
Katie Anne Dixon
Head of Production and Operations
Katie has over 15 years’ experience in the music, event and festival industry and has consistently demonstrated a deep understanding of the creative process, coupled with a keen eye for operational efficiency.
As Head of Production and Operations, Katie is responsible for overseeing the lifecycle of all activations at the helm of the Production, Operations, Technical and Project teams. Her leadership style is characterised by her unwavering commitment to fostering a collaborative and inclusive work environment.
Tiffany Creasey
Head of Artists & Audience Services
Tiffany Creasey
Head of Artists & Audience Services
Tiffany is part of the Artrage Executive Team, overseeing the Programming, Ticketing and Marketing departments. Tiffany is a key contributor in shaping the strategic plan for the Fringe World Festival, with a focus on optimising the festival's execution to benefit both artists and audiences.
With over eight years with Artrage, Tiffany’s experience allows her to work collaboratively across Artrage teams, leading efficient project management, data-driven insights and fostering effective staff leadership. Tiffany is particularly passionate about introducing new audiences to the arts.
Before joining Artrage, she lived in London, where she managed large-scale fitness events throughout the UK.
Elliott Brannen
Head of Finance
Elliott Brannen
Head of Finance
Elliott provides support to the executive and board on financial matters. He has significant experience in the creative industries as an accountant and board member. A lifelong musician, he once wrote a piece for The West Australian about his experience in opening for Julio Iglesias.
Georgia Clark
Head of Partnerships and Philanthropy
Georgia Clark
Head of Partnerships and Philanthropy
Experienced in the Philanthropy, Sponsorship and Community Engagement, Georgia's role is to cultivate and manage fundraising across individual donors, gifts, grants, foundations and corporate sponsorship. Georgia is addicted to cheese and hopes to retire on a farm in France one day.
Staff
Chloe Connolly
Venue Manager
Chloe Connolly
Venue Manager
Arts Admin and Venue Management for L'Euro Grand. I used to sing in a punk band.
Matthew Taggart
Web Developer
Matthew Taggart
Web Developer
The resident coder here at ARTRAGE, helping to maintain the database and various other internal systems. They secretly wish they were a club kid in 90s NYC and can sometimes be found performing strange experimental music across Perth's venues.
Kate Brennan
Production Manager
Kate Brennan
Production Manager
Kate coordinates ARTRAGE’s production logistics; overseeing schedules, trucks, and many many spreadsheets. Kate began her career in the arts onstage as a flautist and musical theatre performer, before making the transition to stage management and production coordination. If you pass Kate in the car, you are guaranteed to see her singing along.
Julio Machado
Artrage Logistics Coordinator
Julio Machado
Artrage Logistics Coordinator
Julio coordinates the logistics for ARTRAGE. He keeps our events on track, with suppliers, trucks, timelines, staff, and of course, the excel spreadsheets! In his spare time, you can occasionally find Julio either DJ'ing, acting, or solving Rubik's cubes.
Ella Studley
Program Coordinator
Ella Studley
Program Coordinator
Ella is the primary point of contact between FRINGE WORLD and its participants. She works on the delivery of the ARTRAGE Managed Venues, programming systems, participant services, and facilitation of the Independent Program. Ella's favourite fun fact is that Sea Monkeys spent 9 days in space in 1998.
Alana Cook
Projects Coordinator
Alana Cook
Projects Coordinator
Alana supports the Projects team with coordinating the day-to-day running of Rooftop Movies and with ongoing and future projects and events. Her favourite film(s) is The Lord of the Rings trilogy... all three are very 'precious' to her.
Judita Csirkova
Partnerships Coordinator
Judita Csirkova
Partnerships Coordinator
Judita supports the Partnerships team to maintain and foster positive relationships and oversee the coordination of partnership benefits across ARTRAGE produced events. J used to study film and loves a good movie recommendation. Special skills include playing violoncello and too much Harry Potter knowledge.
Verity Bennett
Business & Office Manager
Verity Bennett
Business & Office Manager
Verity is pivotal in making sure ARTRAGE runs smoothly. She ensures our customers enjoy positive experiences and Team ARTRAGE have a happy and productive environment. Many moons ago Verity was a Showgirl and Wrestler, whilst attending law school and touring Australia with rockstars.
Veera Njo
Assistant Accountant
Veera Njo
Assistant Accountant
Veera assists the team with all things finance. Before studying Arts Management, Veera played the trombone at WAAPA but working with numbers is more her thing.
Cat Holker
Ticketing Manager
Cat Holker
Ticketing Manager
Cat coordinates Box Office operations and ticketing systems for FRINGE WORLD and ARTRAGE. They bring with them 10+ years experience working dual career paths in live music and large scale arts festivals, and as a public servant in logistics and project management.
Tia Hall
Marketing Coordinator
Tia Hall
Marketing Coordinator
Tia is the Marketing Coordinator for Rooftop Movies with a keen eye for all things punny. When she's not busy making meme magic, she is the fearless leader of the saddle club gang.
Bianca Galan-Dwyer
Strategic Engagement Manager
Bianca Galan-Dwyer
Strategic Engagement Manager
As Strategic Engagement Manager, Bianca builds business and revenue opportunities through key stakeholder engagement to contribute to the organisation’s sustainability and growth. She is also building a tiny house on wheels.
Matthew Henderson-Kelly
Artrage IT support
Matthew Henderson-Kelly
Artrage IT support
Matthew assists in getting the networks and POS systems festival-ready, while also lending a hand with some all-around office IT wizardry!
Kaiya Ashworth
Partnership Manager
Kaiya Ashworth
Partnership Manager
Kaiya supports the Partnerships team to maintain and foster positive stakeholder relationships and oversee the coordination of partnership benefits across ARTRAGE produced events. Kaiya enjoys live music gigs and impressing people with their dumpling making skills.
Morgan Farley
Senior Marketing Coordinator
Morgan Farley
Senior Marketing Coordinator
Morgan supports the Marketing team with communications and signage for ARTRAGE Projects and FRINGE WORLD. Her favourite social media platform is Pinterest and her go-to treat is a Curly Wurly.
Courtney Meagher
Projects Manager
Courtney Meagher
Projects Manager
Courtney has produced 5 seasons of Rooftop Movies, introducing immersive cinema experiences, a roller-skating rink and live theatre to the venue in addition to the popular cinema seasons. She is currently working on adding new and exciting events to the ARTRAGE repertoire after recently wrapping up a successful regional tour of The Rocky Horror Picture Show Immersive Spectacular. When she is not scheming up crazy event ideas, Courtney can be found in the kitchen cooking up a storm.
Kylie Baker
ARTRAGE Producer
Kylie Baker
ARTRAGE Producer
Kylie started her arts career as a dancer and musical theatre performer, before being enticed into the wide world of arts administration and spreadsheets. Kylie Produces and programs FRINGE WORLD Festival as well as other ARTRAGE Projects throughout the year. On hot summer days, you can find Kylie lapping it up on her family's Paddle Steamer, the P.S. Rodney!
Abby Chandler
Communications Coordinator
Abby Chandler
Communications Coordinator
In her capacity as ARTRAGE's Communications Coordinator, Abby contributes to all things copy and content within the Marketing team. Having started at ARTRAGE in Audience Support, she brings a thorough understanding of our beloved customer base. When she's not correcting grammar or throwing out rogue puns - you can usually find her at a gig or listening to records.
Adam Dance
IT & Systems Coordinator
Adam Dance
IT & Systems Coordinator
Adam keeps the ARTRAGE IT running and helps with creative solutions to festival IT requirements. Adam went to 101 FRINGE WORLD Shows in 2020.
Sarah Cole Bowen
Operations Manager
Sarah Cole Bowen
Operations Manager
All things Liquor and Larder; Sarah manages the operation of the Bar Program across ARTRAGE produced events. Sarah once travelled to Shanghai to create a photography piece on the underground Chinese Drag Queen culture.
Nemo Gandossini-Poirier
Technical Manager
Nemo Gandossini-Poirier
Technical Manager
Nemo is a creative and ambitious technical manager and lighting designer with 10 years of extensive experience in managing major concerts, theatre, and festivals worldwide. He ensures that all things technical at ARTRAGE run effortlessly.
Zane Castle
Projects Assistant Coordinator
Zane Castle
Projects Assistant Coordinator
I assist the Projects team in delivering any current, future and ongoing projects and events, working on things such as Rooftop Movies and Fringe World. My life goal (and future) is to be the winner of Australian Survivor.
Khazia Wong
Brand & Marketing Manager
Khazia Wong
Brand & Marketing Manager
Khazia’s diverse skillset guides campaign strategy and activation conception through to the execution of cross media communications, digital product delivery, brand creation and partnership activations. She leads her team collaboratively to craft end-to-end campaigns that achieve results. When Khazia was little she wanted to grow up to be a fire engine.
Amir Barber-Skwarko
IT & Systems Manager
Amir Barber-Skwarko
IT & Systems Manager
Amir is responsible for keeping ARTRAGE's IT operations and information systems running in tip-top condition. Amir once met Sir Patrick Stewart in the flesh and almost fainted 🖖.
Katherine O'Neill
Senior Accountant
Katherine O'Neill
Senior Accountant
Katherine manages the day-to-day accounting and finance tasks of the business ranging from data entry to financial reporting. She completed an events management degree before completing her bachelor's degree. Katherine attended school in the music program for voice.
Jasmin Walker
FRINGE WORLD Program Manager
Jasmin Walker
FRINGE WORLD Program Manager
Jasmin is the FRINGE WORLD Program Manager. She has a career spanning 15+ years in communications and more recently built House of Theodora, a platform that elevates female and non-binary artists pushing boundaries. She has also published three anthologies with writers from across the globe. Jasmin’s favourite FRINGE experience was seeing Bernie Dieter’s Little Death Club in 2020. She loved it so much she took Bernie out for a coffee and they talked for hours about how Bernie came to create the ultimate cabaret club.
Jessica Grant
Senior Ticketing Coordinator
Jessica Grant
Senior Ticketing Coordinator
A spirited attendant of FRINGE WORLD Festival since its inception, Jessica now applies her expertise to delivering ticketing solutions across all ARTRAGE Projects. She suspects her childhood pet pig Priscilla may have been letting her win at hide and seek.