News

New CEO and Program Manager for Youth Arts Queensland 16/09/09

by Caro Jende

Julie Woodward and Anne Toovey join Queensland’s peak body for children and young people in the arts

Dr Janet McDonald, Chair of Youth Arts Queensland (YAQ), today announced the appointment of Julie Woodward as new YAQ Chief Executive Officer and Anne Toovey as new YAQ Program Manager.

Julie joins Queensland’s peak body for children and young people in the arts with an in-depth knowledge of the arts industry in Queensland and Australia. Most recently, Julie was Chief Executive Officer of Queensland’s iconic Flying Arts. Prior to this she spent a number of years in development positions at both Queensland Theatre Company and the Adelaide Festival Centre. In these roles she had the opportunity to work with a large variety of local, national and international arts organisations across both the visual and performing arts. Julie completed her undergraduate studies at the University of South Australia and is currently working towards completion of a Doctorate in Creative Industries at Queensland University of Technology where she also teaches.

“We are delighted to have Julie join YAQ as the new CEO,” says YAQ Chair Dr Janet McDonald.

“After an extensive review of the organisational structure earlier this year, Julie’s experience in managing change will be essential in leading this company into the future. Julie brings with her the key ingredients for YAQ’s success: she knows how to create a change-able culture in the workplace that will increase YAQ’s positive contribution to the sector.”

Julie, who was recently engaged as a consultant with YAQ, is looking forward to continuing the growth the organisation has seen over the past 5 years.

“YAQ is a long-standing organisation that is well known in the youth arts sector and beyond,” Julie says.

“2010 will be a crucial year for YAQ and I am very excited to roll out new strategies that will take this organisation into the future.”

Joining Julie on this exciting path is Anne Toovey who has been appointed as the new YAQ Program Manager.

“This is a new role which will see all YAQ programs managed by one central position,” states YAQ Chair Dr Janet McDonald.

“Anne will oversee the future development of YAQ’s programs including the roll-out of the new national mentoring initiative JUMP.”

YAQ is Queensland’s peak body for children and young people in the arts. YAQ is a membership-based organisation that supports young artists and arts workers, youth arts workers and organisations, the wider youth and educational sector, funding bodies and policy makers. YAQ manages the key youth arts initiatives Transit Lounge, Navigation, YAMP and JUMP.