The Federal Government has announced the appointment of Mr Simon Abrahams as a member of the Creative Workplaces Council for a four-year term. Mr Abrahams is a festival director, creative producer and arts advocate with 20 years experience in the industry.
Minister for the Arts, Tony Burke, said Mr Abrahams’ extensive skills and industry experience will provide a valuable contribution to the Council. “Artists deserve safe and fair workplaces, like any other worker. That’s why we established Creative Workplaces,” said Minister Burke.
“Having people like Simon – with extensive experience and in-depth industry knowledge – on the Council is crucial to making that a reality.”
Mr Abrahams said it was essential artists had safe spaces to work in. “Creative Workplaces plays a vital role in strengthening our sector and it’s a privilege to contribute to its work,” said Mr Abrahams.
“To make sure we can create bold and ambitious artworks, we need to ensure there’s safe places for artistic risk taking, and I’m excited to help shape this work alongside Kate and the Council.”
The Government established Creative Workplaces last year in direct response to calls from the industry about widespread risk, inequality and discrimination in the arts and culture sector.
Chaired by former Sex Discrimination Commissioner Kate Jenkins AO, the Creative Workplaces Council is progressing its important work to promote fair, safe and respectful workplaces for artists, arts workers and arts organisations.
Mr Simon Abrahams is the Creative Director and Chief Executive Officer of Melbourne Fringe. His commitment to increasing diversity in the arts sector to date includes the launch of innovative programs such as the Indigenous commissioning and producer development program Deadly Fringe; experimental, contemporary and live art program for children XS; as well as Radical Access, an inclusion program for people who are deaf or with disability.
Mr Abrahams is co-founder of Theatre Network Australia, serving as its chair from 2010-2017. He previously served as Head of Programming at the Wheeler Centre for Books, Writing & Ideas; Executive Producer and Co-Chief Executive Officer at Polyglot Theatre; and was a member of City of Melbourne’s Night Time Economy Activation Taskforce.
For more information about the Creative Workplaces Council, visit: www.creative.gov.au for details.
Image: Simon Abrahams – courtesy of Melbourne Fringe