About / The Board

The Board

The IFACCA Board comprises a group of committed leaders in arts and culture who meet at least twice each year to oversee the good governance and sustainability of the Federation in keeping with its Constitution; to shape its strategic vision and direction; to consider expressions of interest for membership; and to guide and inform the work of the Secretariat to ensure it delivers on the IFACCA Strategy. Board Members are senior executives from National Member institutions, who are elected by fellow National Members at the General Assembly. Find more information on current and former members of the Board below.

 

Kristin Danielsen, Chair

CEO, Kulturdirektoratet - Arts and Culture Norway

Mrs Kristin Danielsen is the CEO of Arts and Culture Norway. She is an experienced cultural leader combining formal leadership education with a background as a performing artist. She specialises in strengthening and developing organisations within the cultural sector and is passionate about highlighting the role of art and culture in societal development.    

Mrs Danielsen is an active public speaker, lecturer and contributor to societal debates. She has held various board and advisory roles and has extensive experience in board governance.    

Mrs Danielsen started her career as a dancer and choreographer and was educated at the Norwegian Ballet Academy, Oslo and Ballet Arts/Broadway Dance Centre, New York. She holds a Master in Arts Management from City University of London, UK specialising in international cultural relations.   

 

 

Julie Diphofa, Deputy Chair 

Interim Chief Executive Officer of the National Arts Council of South Africa

Julie Diphofa currently serves as the Interim Chief Executive Officer of the National Arts Council of South Africa (NAC), overseeing the development, advocacy, and promotion of the arts. Ms Diphofa holds a deep understanding of the South African arts and culture landscape and legislative framework, along with knowledge of various art forms and artists. With 21 years of experience at senior management and executive levels, Ms Diphofa’s expertise extends to all aspects of arts administration including the development and implementation of policies and the management, disbursement, monitoring and evaluation of grants. Her strong leadership and strategic management skills drive the NAC to achieve its strategic objectives and foster collaborations with artists and cultural organisations. Notably, Ms Diphofa successfully negotiated the continuation of the MMINO (South African – Norwegian Music Programme) partnership funding scheme and led the successful bid for the 2009 IFACCA World Summit on Arts and Culture, chairing the IFACCA Local Steering Committee that hosted the Summit. Ms Diphofa holds a master's degree in Adult Education from the University of the Witwatersrand. 

 

 

Simon Mellor, Treasurer

Deputy Chief Executive, Arts and Museums, Arts Council England  

Simon Mellor is Deputy Chief Executive, Arts and Museums for Arts Council England. He is a member of the Arts Council’s Executive Board, has responsibility for national arts and cultural strategy and provides executive board leadership for the Arts Council’s international strategy. Prior to joining the Arts Council in 2012, he helped set up the Manchester International Festival in 2006 and was its first General Director. Before that he was the Chief Executive of the Lyric Hammersmith, West London’s leading producing and presenting theatre. He was also the producer founder of Gloria Theatre (an international music theatre company). 

 

 

 

Nguyen Phuong Hoa 

Director General, International Cooperation Department, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Viet Nam

Nguyen Phuong Hoa has been working at the Ministry of Culture of Viet Nam for more than 15 years. She is one of the main authors of Vietnam's National Strategy on International Cultural Relations and has been actively involved in organising numerous Vietnamese cultural days abroad as well as hosting a number of international art festivals in Viet Nam. She is the national contact point for 2005 UNESCO Convention on the protection and promotion of Diversity of Cultural Expressions and has strongly supported and advocated for the National Strategy for the development of Vietnamese Cultural Industries vision 2030. She has extensive experience in leading her team to implement cultural cooperation agreements with several countries. She also took part in the copyright negotiation for the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP).

She was Commissioner General of Viet Nam Section in Expo 2020 Dubai and also serves as Vice President of Viet Nam's Association of Film Promotion and Development. Nguyen Phuong Hoa holds a BA in International Relations (Diplomatic Academy of Viet Nam) and a MA in Cultural Policy and Arts Administration from Goldsmiths, University of London, the United Kingdom.

 

 

Adrian Collette AM

Chief Executive Officer, Creative Australia

Adrian Collette AM is Chief Executive Officer of Creative Australia. Mr Collette held the position of Chief Executive of Opera Australia, Australia’s largest performing arts company for 16 years. He also worked in book publishing for a decade, including as Managing Director, Reed Books, a Division of Reed Elsevier. His previous role of Vice-Principal (Engagement) at the University of Melbourne included the oversight of the University’s museums and galleries and its many arts sector partnerships. He served on the Australia Council Board since 1 July 2013.

He was made a member of the Order of Australia in 2008 for service to the performing arts particularly through executive roles with Opera Australia, as a mentor to young artists, to publishing and to the community. 

 

 

Kajsa Ravin

Director General, Swedish Arts Council

Kajsa Ravin began her appointment as Director General for the Swedish Arts Council on March 9, 2020. Ms Ravin has been active in the cultural sector for more than twenty years and has comprehensive experience of driving cultural questions and culture policy both on a regional and national level. Prior to joining the Arts Council, she managed departments of cultural affairs in several Swedish regions and municipalities, most recently as Director of cultural affairs at Uppsala County. Ms Ravin has worked with a wide variety of cultural expressions, and she is strongly committed to making arts and culture accessible and relevant to broad audiences. She has a distinct interest in cultural diversity and audience development and has been involved in several projects about learning and education in the arts, for example the European consortium Collect and Share.

Kajsa Ravin holds a BA in Art History from University of Gothenburg.

 

 

Ascala Tsegaye

Independent appointment, USA (February to May 2025)

Ascala Tsegaye is an experienced leader with 20 years of expertise at the intersections of the arts, community development, housing, and health, and holds a master's degree in public policy from the University of Maryland and a bachelor’s degree in urban studies from Brown University. Ms Tsegaye has provided strategy advice to nonprofit, philanthropic, and academic institutions and held leadership roles in national nonprofit organisations working to leverage investment, policy, and research for more healthy and equitable communities. Her work is focused on advancing art, culture, and play as essential to vibrant and equitable societies.

From January 2023 to January 2025, Ms Tsegaye served as the Senior Deputy Chair of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) where she oversaw the Office of the Deputy Chair for Management and Budget; the Office of Strategy, Programs, and Engagement; the Office of Guidelines and Panel Operations; the Office of State, Regional and Local Partnerships/International Activities; and the Creative Forces®: NEA Military Healing Arts Network. Prior to assuming the Senior Deputy Chair role, she served as the NEA’s senior advisor for the American Rescue Plan Recovery Strategy, assessing the impact of COVID-19 and the American Rescue Plan in the arts and culture sector.

 

 

Former Board Members

We acknowledge with great appreciation the following individuals who have served on the IFACCA Board since 2000:​

  • Mariana Wainstein (September 2022 - February 2025)
    National Director of Culture, Ministry of Education and Culture, Uruguay

  • Ascala Tsegaye (September 2023 - January 2025)
    Senior Deputy Chair, National Endowment for the Arts, USA

  • Nicholas Moyo (April 2023 - November 2023)
    Executive Director, National Arts Council of Zimbabwe

  • Simon Brault, O.C., O.Q.(October 2016 - June 2023, Chair 2019 - 2023)
    Director and CEO, Canada Council for the Arts

  • Patrick Sam (March 2019 - May 2023)
    Chairperson, National Arts Council of Namibia

  • Dennis Marita (February 2018 - May 2023)
    Director of Culture, Ministry of Culture & Tourism, Solomon Islands

  • Pablo Raphael de la Madrid (May 2020 - January 2023)
    Director General, Cultural Promotion and Festivals, Ministry of Culture, Mexico

  • Park Jong-Kwan (August 2020 - January 2023)
    Chair Person, Arts Council Korea (ARKO)

  • Rosemary Mangope (April 2020 - October 2021)
    CEO, National Arts Council of South Africa

  • Daina Urbanavičienė (March 2019–January 2021)
    Chairwoman, Lithuanian Council for Culture

  • Suecy Callejas Estrada (May 2020–November 2020)
    Minister of Culture of El Salvador, Ministry of Culture of El Salvador

  • Orlaith McBride (2015–March 2020)
    Director, Arts Council/An Chomhairle Ealaíon, Ireland
     
  • Staffan Forssell (2015–March 2020)
    Director General of the Swedish Arts Council, Sweden
    ​
  • Tan Sri Norliza Binti Rofli (January 2014–January 2020)
    Director-General, National Department for Culture and Arts, Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Malaysia 
     
  • Dong Zhanshun (January 2014–January 2020)
    Director General, International Liaison Dept, China Federation of Literary and Art Circles (CFLAC)
     
  • Andrés Gribnicow (March 2019–December 2019)
    Secretary for Culture and Creativity, Secretary of Culture of the Nation
     
  • Stephen Wainwright (2015–March 2019)
    Chief Executive, Creative New Zealand
     
  • Rosemary Mangope (2014–January 2019) 
    CEO, National Arts Council, South Africa
     
  • Jimena Lara Estrada (May–December 2018) 
    Director General of International Affairs at the Ministry of Culture in Mexico
     
  • Bilel Aboudi (2012–2018)
    Director, Head of Monitoring and Evaluation Unit - Minister's Office, Ministry of Cultural Affairs, Tunisia 
     
  • Iván Petrella (2016–2018)
    Secretary for Federal Integration and International Cooperation of the Ministry of Culture of Argentina, Argentina 
     
  • Elise Huffer (2011–2017)
    Adviser, Human Development Programme, The Pacific Community, Fiji 
     
  • Felipe M. de Leon (2014–2017)
    Chairman, National Commission for Culture and the Arts, Philippines
     
  • Ambassador José Luis Martínez Hernández (2015–2016)
    Director General for International Affairs for the Secretaría de Cultura, Mexico, Mexico 
     
  • Julia Patricia Fernádez Robinson (2015–2015)
    Director of International Cultural Cooperation in the National Council for Culture and the Arts, Mexico 
     
  • Poul Bache (Treasurer, 2009–2015) 
    Executive Director, Kunststyrelsen - Danish Agency for Culture
     
  • Kerstin Brunnberg (2014–2015)
    Chair, Swedish Arts Council 
     
  • Alan Davey (Chair 2008–2014)
    Chief Executive Officer, Arts Council England 
     
  • Mwajim Malgwi Maidugu (2013–2014)
    Executive Director, National Council for Arts and Culture, Nigeria 
     
  • Pramod Jain (2012–2014)
    Joint Secretary, Ministry of Culture, India
     
  • Huang Wenjuan (2012–2013)
    Director General, International Liaison Department, CFLAC - China Federation of Literary & Art Circles 
     
  • Magdalena Moreno Mujica (2012–2014)
    Head, International Affairs, Consejo Nacional de la Cultura y las Artes, Chile 
     
  • Kathy Keele (Deputy Chair, 2007–2012)
    Chief Executive Officer, Australia Council for the Arts
     
  • Robert Sirman (Treasurer, 2006–2012)
    Director and Chief Executive Officer, Canada Council for the Arts 
     
  • Venu Vasudevan  (2011–2012)
    Joint Secretary, Ministry of Culture, India
     
  • Pius Knüsel (2011–2012)
    Director, Pro Helvetia Swiss Arts Council 
     
  • Qu’resh Ahmed (Deputy Chair, 2006–2012)
    General Manager, Bomas of Kenya 
     
  • Li Mu (2006–2012)
    Vice-President, China Federation of Literary and Art Circles
     
  • Gonzalo Martín de Marco (2011–2012)
    Deputy National Director, Consejo Nacional de la Cultura y las Artes, Chile 
     
  • Annabell Lebethe (2009–2011)
    Chief Executive Officer, National Arts Council, South Africa 
     
  • Guillermo Corral Van Damme (2009–2010)
    Director General de Cooperación y Comunicación Cultural, Ministerio de Cultura, Spain
     
  • Risto Ruohonen (Chair, 2003–2009)
    Chief Executive Officer, Arts Council of Finland 
     
  • Lee Suan Hiang (Deputy Chair, 2003–2009)
    Chief Executive Officer, National Arts Council, Singapore 
     
  • Clarisa Ruiz Correal (2006–2009)
    Head of Arts, Ministerio de Cultura de Colombia 
     
  • Georgia Iliopoulou (2006–2008)
    Managing Director, Hellenic Culture Foundation, Greece 
     
  • Ian McRae (2006–2007)
    Chair, Theatre Board, Australia Council for the Arts 
     
  • Kim Evans  (Deputy Chair, 2003–2006)
    Executive Director (Arts), Arts Council England
     
  • John Hobday (2003–2006)
    Director, Canada Council of Arts 
     
  • Nguyen Van Tinh (2003–2006)
    Director General (International Cooperation Department) Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Vietnam 
     
  • Elizabeth Kerr (2005–2006)
    Chief Executive, Creative New Zealand 
     
  • Patricia Quinn (Co-Chair, 2003–2004)
    Director, Arts Council of Ireland 
     
  • Octavio Arbeláez Tobón (2003–2006)
    Director, La Red, Colombia 
     
  • Doreen Nteta (Deputy Chair, 2003–2006)
    Chief Executive Officer, National Arts Council, South Africa 

Interim Board

On 3 December 2000, on the final day of the first World Summit on Arts and Culture in Ottawa, Canada, arts funding agencies from around the globe recommended the establishment of an international federation of arts and cultural support agencies and agreed to the establishment of an interim board.  The members of the interim board, which operated until the formal approval of the federation’s constitution and election of a board in November 2003, included the following individuals:​

  • Choo Thiam Siew (2000–2003)
    CEO, National Arts Council of Singapore 
     
  • Stéphane Martin (2001–2003)
    Director, Musée du quai Branly, France 
     
  • Fernando Vicario (2001–2003)
    Director, APTEC, Spain 
     
  • Doreen Nteta (Deputy Chair, 2000–2003)
    Chief Executive Officer, National Arts Council, South Africa 
     
  • Albanela Pérez Suárez (2000–2001)
    International Relations, Consejo Nacional de la Cultura, Venezuela 
     
  • Patricia Quinn (2000–2003)
    Director, Arts Council of Ireland 
     
  • Risto Ruohonen (Treasurer, 2000–2003)
    Government Advisor, Ministry of Education, Finland 
     
  • Shirley L Thomson (Chair, 2000–2003)
    Director, Canada Council for the Arts