The Australia Council has announced the appointment of Lisa Colley as the new Executive Director of its Policy, Communications and Planning Division.

Colley’s 23-year career in the arts began with the role of Community Arts Officer at the Adelaide Festival Centre, and grew to positions in local government and public radio. Her policy and strategic work for the Australia Council has included managing the establishment of the New Media Arts Board (1996-2001), as well as the development of a number of policy documents, such as the organisation’s first Arts and Disability Action Plan, the Arts and Science Strategy and the Arts and Education Policy.

‘I feel a tremendous sense of honour to work in a position able to advance the interests of Australian artists,’ Colley commented on her appointment, ‘I aim to lead a dynamic approach to research, policy and communication, that will unite sectors and support the long-term sustainability of the arts.’