FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
29 May 2023
MULTICULTURAL ARTS VICTORIA (MAV) APPOINTS LAUREN MULLINGS AS CREATIVE DIRECTOR/CO-CEO AND ANNOUNCES FOUR NEW BOARD MEMBERS.
Multicultural Arts Victoria (MAV) is pleased to announce the appointment of Lauren Mullings as the organisation's new Creative Director/Co-CEO, effective July 2023.
Lauren brings a wealth of experience in the arts sector from both Australia and the UK, positioning MAV for an exciting phase of growth and innovation.
In her role as Creative Director/Co-CEO, Lauren will collaborate with Executive Director/Co-CEO Andy Miller to shape MAV's strategic direction. Together, they will champion MAV’s vision of an arts and cultural landscape as diverse as our people
Leading a dedicated team of staff and collaborators, Lauren will foster partnerships and amplify creative talent across communities.
With a background in arts management and creative producing, Lauren possesses a deep understanding of the transformative power of the arts. Her expertise will strengthen MAV's commitment to supporting artists from diverse backgrounds, facilitating cross-cultural collaborations, and engaging with communities meaningfully.
Lauren’s dedication to utilising the arts as a catalyst for social change aligns seamlessly with MAV's Vision. Her previous roles include Senior Producer at Fuse Festival and Independent Creative Producer and Access and Inclusion
Lead at RISING: Melbourne. Through these positions, she has connected artists, communities, and stakeholders to create dynamic artistic experiences and culturally safe spaces.
Commenting on her appointment, Lauren expressed her enthusiasm about joining MAV:
"I am excited aboutthis opportunity to work collectively with MAV's remarkableBoard, team, and allied communities who, like me, are committed to cultural change, visibility, and equity in the creative sector."
Michael van Vliet, Chairperson of MAV, remarked:
"Lauren is the ideal leader for MAV, drawing on her national and international experience in programming and her knowledge of Victoria's local government arts environment. Furthermore, her background as a multi-disciplinary artist will build upon MAV's impressive legacy as an organisation driven by creatives."
The Board of Directors extends their gratitude to Zii Nzira for his outstanding service as interim Co-CEO, recognising his steadying influence and the significant initiatives and connections created during his tenure.
The Board invites everyone to join them in welcoming Lauren Mullings as the new Creative Director/Co-CEO, offering their warmest congratulations on her appointment.
With Lauren’s guidance and expertise, MAV will continue to be a driving force in advancing cultural equity, supporting emerging artists, and promoting cross-cultural understanding in the State and across borders
MAV ELECTS FOUR NEW BOARD MEMBERS
MAV is pleased to elect the following community leaders onto the Board:
Shankar Kasynathan is a Commissioner for Multicultural Affairs in Victoria and the Deputy Chair of the Migrant Workers Centre. He brings to MAV a wealth of knowledge and experience to the board as; a previous adviser to
State and Territory members of parliament, appointments as a sessional teacher at various universities, workingwith Youth Services, Housing, Public Health, Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs across various states and territories.
Ursula Dyer Lepporoli was co-opted as a board member in 2022 and was a previous observer. As a partner of KPMG, Ursula brings her leadership skills and financial experience as a Global Mobility Tax leader to MAV. She has worked closely with MAV to develop a procurement training session with the support of KPMG and is looking forward to contributing her value to the organisation as a patron of the arts, and as a culturally diverse business leader.
Kylie Crane is a HR professional with over 20 years of experience in the creative industries, including The Arts Centre Melbourne, and Madman Entertainment. Kylie is passionate about the role art can play in shaping mindsets and communities. Culture-first and collaboration is her approach when initiating strategy, and champions a designing people-centric programs, frameworks, and solutions.
Michael van Vliet has served as Chair for the past five years at MAV and intends to support the transition of leadership. Michael has extensive experience in the multicultural sector having worked with the Victorian Government in the Multicultural Affairs portfolio, grant manager at the Victorian Multicultural Commission, communications manager at Spectrum Migrant Resource Centre, and is currently the Grants Team Leader at City of Yarra.
For media inquiries or further information, please contact:
Theresa Angela
Marketing Communications Manager
Phone: 0421 502 768
Email: theresa@mav.org.au
About
Multicultural Arts Victoria (MAV): For 40 years MAV has been a leading arts organisation in Australia dedicated to supporting artists and communities from culturally diverse backgrounds. MAV has a profound commitment to arts and artists shaping the narratives that define who we are as a multicultural nation.
MAV champions the development of artists and artform practices that speak to who we are as Australians, embedding pluralism and diversity as a fount of artistic and cultural innovation;
MAV builds the case for diversity as one of our greatest cultural assets, through the generation of critical and compelling new work; and
MAV leads transformation in our sector, contesting the marginality of diverse artistic practices through the application of contemporary lenses and frameworks.
To learn more, visit https://mav.org.au