The Australia Council for the Arts (OzCo) has recently welcomed the appointment of twelve new members to its artform Boards by the Federal Minister for the Arts, Senator Rod Kemp. CEO of OzCo Jennifer Boycott, has commented that the Boards provide the main sources of advice for the Council in the development of arts policy and funding through its grants categories, noting that they are responsible for the annual selection of 1500 grant recipients from a competitive field of national artists and organisations. 'In the make up of these Boards it is important to maintain their relevance to and experience of current arts practice. The Minister's recent appointments aim to reflect the diversity and depth of experience in the Australian arts community,' she commented. Appointed for a period of three years, the new members are as follows; Community Cultural Development Board

Patricia Arden (QLD), a previous member of the Australia Council's Regional Arts Panel and Chairperson of the South West Regional Cultural Development Committee.

Rose Cantali (NSW), a District Guidance Officer with the Department of School Education and Training and operating her own Psychology practise in Concord.

Martin Cunningham (WA), Chair of the Youth Arts Network WA and current Community Development Officer (arts and culture) for the Town of Victoria Park. Dance Board

Jeff Meiners (SA), a lecturer at the University of South Australia's de Lissa Institute of Early Childhood Studies and previously manager of outreach projects for Ausdance (NSW).

Jan Pinkerton (NSW), a professional dancer and choreographer.

Steven Richardson (VIC), acting-Manager of Chamber Made Opera, member of Melbourne Council Cultural Advisory committee, the Arts Victoria funding panel for marketing and audience development and until recently Executive Director of the Next Wave Festival. Music Board

Katie Noonan (Qld), a Queensland Conservatorium trained singer, pianist, percussionist, composer and arranger. She is currently the lead singer of popular contemporary bands Georgeand Elixir.

Father Arthur Bridge, OAM (NSW), founder of Arts Musica Australis. Father Bridge has a special interest in chamber music, orchestral music, community music and the creation of new work.

Carol Day, OAM (WA), is Chair of the Western Australian Youth Orchestra and has extensive management experience in the youth orchestral sector and government. Theatre Board

Marion Potts (NSW), newly appointed Curator of the Australian National Playwrights Conference, member of the artistic directorate of Hothouse Theatre and previous resident director at Sydney Theatre Company.

Sally Beck (VIC), General Manager of the Geelong Performing Arts Centre and President of the Australian Performing Arts Centres Association. Literature Board

Andrew Bovell (SA). Bovell is an extensively awarded and experienced playwright with theatre credits including Scenes From a Separation and film credits including Strictly Ballroom, Head On and Lantana. His residencies include the Melbourne Theatre Company.