About

Hello and welcome!

I'm a Melbourne-based arts and cultural professional with a passion for creative strategy, public art, and community engagement. With extensive experience across local and state government as well as the not-for-profit sector, I bring both practical and theoretical insight to strategic policy development, curating, socially engaged arts practice, collection management, cultural development, and funding.

My academic background includes postgraduate qualifications in Leadership and Management, Art History, and Anthropology, giving me a broad and nuanced understanding of leadership, art, community, and culture.

Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of leading and curating major national initiatives, including ngurrak barring | RidgeWalk, a landmark cultural tourism project, and establishing Immerse, now attracting national and international media attention. I’ve also managed several major public art projects, many delivered within the context of suburban renewal and placemaking initiatives. Highlights of my curatorial work include Desert Mob and other national touring exhibitions.

I have extensive experience in collection management across Australia and a strong track record of working closely with communities to deliver long-term cultural development initiatives throughout metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria. My deep knowledge of funding has resulted in securing several significant government grants, and I’ve authored numerous strategic arts policies, plans, and reports that have helped shape creative direction at both local and national levels.

While I’m proudly based in Melbourne, I’m always up for an adventure—and love any excuse to travel.

ABN: 34 622 137 153

jo@openartsconsultancy.com