COVID-19: Sudden Impacts
When COVID-19 hit, the arts sector was immediately impacted with organisations having to close their doors. Shelagh Magadza, Executive Director of The Chamber of Arts and Culture will provide insights into the impacts experienced across the sector along with steps to recovery. She will be joined by Alec Coles, Chief Executive Officer of the Western Australian Museum to discuss the impacts of COVID-19 and their plans to be ready to open the facility later in the year.
Meet our speakers and panellists
Shelagh Magadza
Executive Director of The Chamber of Arts and Culture
Shelagh Magadza has had an extensive career as an Artistic Director and Producer of major events and Festivals. For the last decade, she has held leadership positions as Artistic Director of two of Australasia’s largest multi-arts Festivals in Perth and New Zealand.
She is currently Executive Director of the Chamber of Arts and Culture WA an organisation that represents the State’s creative industries. The Chamber advocates for the sector and its role within our State both economically and socially.
“I am a strong believer the personal and social transformation that is offered by arts and cultural experiences in our lives. The creative sector is an integral part of healthy lives and healthy societies. As we look to the future and the increasingly complex issues we are facing it is important that we use the most powerful tool humanity has - our imagination."
Alec Coles OBE
Chief Execuutive Officer of the Western Australian Museum
Alec Coles has been CEO of the Western Australian Museum since 2010. The WA Museum is the State’s premier scientific and cultural institution with sites in Perth, Fremantle, Geraldton, Kalgoorlie and Albany.
Alec was previously Director of Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums in North East England for eight years.
Prior to that, he was CEO of the Northumberland Wildlife Trust, a wildlife conservation charity in North East England.
Alec is an Adjunct Associate Professor in the School of Social Sciences at The University of Western Australia, an Executive Member of the Council for Australasian Museum Directors, a Board member of the Australian Council for the Humanities and Social Sciences, and former Chair of the International Council of Museums (ICOM) Australia.
He is committed to developing and demonstrating the public value of museums in today’s society.
Alec is currently driving the development of the New Museum for WA, a $400 million redevelopment in the heart of the Perth Cultural Centre due to open in November this year. He aspires to create a museum that is owned and valued by all West Australians and admired by the world.
In 2010, Mr Coles was awarded an OBE for Services to Museums.