Post by Katrina Cashman · Fri 23 Dec 2011 · Behind the scenes
Ten minutes with Cultural Services
Front row left to right: Skye, Jane, Julie. Middle row: Janelle, Katrina, Judi, Yolande. Back row: Michael, John
Do you know who works here and what they do? Meet Mosman Council’s Cultural Services team!
We work together to deliver a world class Regional Art Gallery, the major cultural centre on Sydney’s North Shore. The Gallery presents a rich and varied program of high quality exhibitions, educational activities and special events which make a significant contribution to the cultural life of Mosman and the broader general public.
Steering the ship is John Cheeseman, Director of the Mosman Art Gallery and Cultural Services Manager. John is responsible for all of the Gallery’s operations and cultural activities including Friendship cities, public art, tourism and events in Mosman. Katrina Cashman is the Assistant Director/Senior Curator. She is primarily responsible for coordinating the Gallery’s exhibition program, as well as the Mosman art collection and associated gallery activities. Julie Petersen coordinates and curates exhibitions and Gallery events, as well the Gallery’s marketing and publicity. Janelle Patchett is the acting Public Programs Officer, while Suzanne Davey is on extended leave. Janelle coordinates the Gallery’s primary schools education program and manages the training and special events for the Gallery’s Friends and Volunteers.
Judi MacLaren is the Cultural Services Administrator which means she is on the pulse of Gallery operations, administration and she also assists with graphic design. Michael Neal has a dual role working across Gallery operations as a technician and also managing the Art Collection, while also being the Operations Officer for Venue Hire activities. Want to hire a space for a wedding or workshop? Yolande Pierce, Venue Coordinator is the person to see. Did you know the centre has a broad range of venue hire activities? These include corporate events such as conferences, private parties and community groups for meetings and workshops.
Jane Hurley is the Venue and Markets Officer, working with Yolande on Venue Hire activities and coordinating the monthly Mosman Arts & Craft market, which attracts over 150 stall holders. Lastly, Skye Paton is Council’s Events and Marketing coordinator, responsible for all of Council’s major special events such as Balmoral Burn and the Festival of Mosman.
In 2012 we will welcome a new staff member to the team in the position of Philanthropy Officer – we’ll keep you posted on this.
The Gallery will be closed to the public from January – mid March 2012 for essential maintenance work which will be followed by capitol works on the Ground floor in April – June 2012, creating new reception, foyer and offices. We look forward to seeing you at the Gallery in the New Year.
Cultural Services snap shot
- Did you know that over 6,000 school children visit the Gallery for educational programs each year?
- Each year the Gallery’s exhibition program and venue hire activities attract over 75,000 visitors?
- Over 50,000 visitors attended the Festival of Mosman
- Bouquets: The Gallery has been recently awarded over $250,000 worth of grants for projects and capitol works
- The Gallery and Mosman Library received a joint MAGNA Industry award for the best exhibition Australian Accent: the Designs of Annan Fabrics and Vande Pottery in the 40s and 50s.
- The Gallery will be closed in January-mid March 2012 for essential maintenance works which will be followed a refurbishment of the ground floor reception, foyer and offices.