Ms Lisa Colley has been appointed Director of the Rudd Government’s $17 million Creative Industries Innovation Centre.
Announced today by Innovation Minister Senator Kim Carr and Minister for the Arts Peter Garrett, the appointment is a boost for Australia’s creative industries.
“The appointment of Ms Colley is great news for the Centre and for businesses in creative industries,” Senator Carr said.
“Ms Colley has a strong background in this sector with extensive experience at an industry, community and academic level in creative industries.
"The Creative Industries Innovation Centre assists a broad cross section of creative businesses including: design, publishing, writing, architecture, visual arts, television, radio and advertising, film, performing arts, music, games and interactive content.
“These skills are vital to many parts of the Australian economy from the built environment to software development.”
Mr Garrett congratulated Ms Colley on the appointment: "As a highly regarded industry leader with outstanding national and international networks, Ms Colley is well suited to lead the Centre,” Mr Garrett said.
“Through this Centre, the Rudd Government is supporting the creative industries, ensuring they continue to be a vital component and driving force in the Australian economy."
The Creative Industries Innovation Centre is part of the Enterprise Connect network - a $50 million a year initiative to help small and medium-sized enterprises across the country boost productivity, improve innovation and increase competitiveness.
Ms Colley was previously the Director of Exhibitions, Events and Projects at University of Technology Sydney (UTS).
Prior to this Ms Colley was Executive Director of Policy, Communication, Research at the Australia Council for the Arts. Ms Colley was also the inaugural manager of the New Media Arts Board where she made an important contribution in key policy debates and submissions across a diverse range of issues affecting the arts sector.
For further information about the Centre and other Enterprise Connect initiatives, visit www.enterpriseconnect.gov.au or call the hotline on 131 791.
* Photo of Ms Colley available on request.
Media contact: Patrick Pantano, Minster Carr, 0417 181 936
Ben Pratt, Minister Garrett, 0419 968 734