Creative Respite Options - History - Management Committee - Staff Profiles - Membership Services
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Ross Barber - Executive Director

Ross Barber has experience in NSW, Queensland, Europe and Asia in the development and management of Arts and Community Cultural Development practice and programs. He initiated and developed the artists training program for the highly successful Travel lines www.tapinonthepipes.com, a multi arts performance program in Regional Queensland funded by the Australia Council and RAF in 2001. Ross continues to maintain his professional practice as an artist developing and regularly exhibiting new installation work. Recognition of his contribution to the Arts and awards include: Commonwealth Centenary of Federation Medal: for Distinguished Service to the Arts, Bachelor of Arts (Visual Arts) University of Western Sydney. 1994, Master of Fine Arts Queensland University of Technology. 1998, Certificate IV Workplace Trainer. CSIT. 2000. For a complete list of Ross’ recent work, please visit http://www.rossbarber.com.

Emma Bennison - Project Coordinator and Assistant Director

Emma Bennison joined Access Arts in 2001 when she represented Brisbane as a composer and performer at the Asia Pacific Wataboshi Music Festival In Taiwan. She served on the Management Committee for two years and joined the Membership Services Team in June, 2004. Emma is the Project Co-ordinator at Access Arts and is responsible for ensuring that Access Arts delivers high-quality projects to Access Arts members. In addition, Emma is a Sound Circles facilitator and the statewide co-ordinator for the program Emma is also a professional singer/songwriter and has a Bachelor of Music from the University of Queensland.
She performs with her husband in a piano/vocal duo and has released a CD containing original compositions and covers. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and son and reading the occasional thriller. Her dreams for the future include continuing to contribute to the development of Access Arts and its members, to expand her artistic practice and to have another child.

Angela Jaeschke - Administration Coordinator

Angela Jaeschke is the Administration Coordinator at Access Arts. She came to Access Arts in August 2004 as a student placement. Angela was tour manager of the Sound Circles tour to Japan in September 2005, taking 13 people to run Sound Circles workshops over 21 days at the NGO Village of World Expo, Aichi, Japan.

With a background in music, Angela plays the double bass in the Brisbane Philharmonic Orchestra and was a member of the Queensland Youth Orchestra for a number of years. Angela has a degree in Social Science (Human Services) from QUT.

Nick Reilly - IT Administrator

Nick Reilly is the IT Administrator , responsible for building and maintaining all things IT at Access Arts. Nick came to Access Arts in 2002 as a volunteer, and became a staff member in 2004, first as Communications Officer, later graduating to IT Administrator. In this time, Nick has built new computers and upgraded the office server putting Access Arts on a par with current IT standards. Nick's skills in upgrading computers have become an important service that we can extend to members in Brisbane and regional communities in various ways.

Nick studied Korean, Russian and French at University, which has been important for international organisations visiting Access Arts. Nick has interests in music, was a drummer in a number of bands, and is currently studying for his Grade 5 Piano exam.

Sally Josephson - Project Coordinator

Sally Josephson is an arts and cultural worker with a degree in Social Science (Human Services) from QUT. Sally has four years experience working across the sector with a range of agencies including Indigenous Support Agencies. As part of her role at Access Arts, Sally currently coordinates the successful pilot program Creative Respite Options, which has resulted in a number of quality outcomes including a month-long photographic exhibition at the Queensland State Library during October 2007. Sally also coordinates the organisation's Indigenous Program, comprehensive Workshop Program and is involved in developing and maintaining Access Arts Quality Assurance System. Sally is a key Sound Circles facilitator who assists with Sound Circles coordination and is regularly involved in the training of new facilitators at regional Sound Circles Facilitator Skills Development Programs.

Jasmin Jacobson - Visual Arts Coordinator

Jasmin Jacobson has a background in Visual Arts and Education. After completing a Bachelor of Visual Arts, Jasmin worked in the TAFE system in Visual Arts and Disability programs for several years, before completing Post Graduate study in Education. Jasmin then taught and coordinated visual art programs in schools. As an artist herself, Jasmin has varied experience in community arts projects, teaching and curatorial work. Jasmin joined Access Arts in 2002 as a member and currently coordinates the Brisbane Outsider Artists’ Studio and Visual Arts Projects at Access Arts. She values working with an organisation that supports and respects people experiencing disabilities.

Jan Spinks - Finance Officer

Jan Spinks came to Access Arts looking for a new challenge, sharing the Finance Officer role for one day a week in 2004 and after learning the ropes began working two days a week in 2005.

In the future Jan is looking forward to joining the grey nomads and travelling around Australia at a leisurely pace, as well as having lots of fun with her grandchildren.

Julie Jones - Membership Services Officer

Julie came to Access Arts in September 2006 as a Volunteer after returning from 2 years of teaching in China, and was officially offered the Membership Services Officer position at Access Arts in January 2007. Julie has been involved in Creative Arts for many years; originally she owned a Costuming and Dressmaking business, and worked from home whilst her children were growing up. Julie also volunteered at their local schools, helping with their education and teaching Art, English and Maths, and has worked in all facets of the Hospitality industry, from being a bar attendant to working at Management level.

Julie is currently continuing with her studies in Office IT and is looking forward to workshops in the areas of costume making and designing props for Access Arts productions. She also enjoys working & developing relationships with the many different people she has come into contact with through Access Arts.

Karen Lee Roberts - Membership Services Officer

Karen has been involved in the arts for many years, she has performed on the West End in London, done drag shows in Sydney, cruises on the harbour. Now, she sails smoothly around the office and is a valued Sound Circles facilitator. She has facilitated some very successful storytelling workshops and is working to get two new books and a series of greeting cards published,

Karen currently sings professionally in Brisbane, is studying piano, has had children’s books published, written poetry and is an accomplished songwriter. Karen has been invited to represent Access Arts to perform her own work at the 2007 Asia Pacific Wataboshi Music Festival in Johor Bahru Malaysia.

Renae Burton - BOA Studio Assistant

Renae Burton came to Access Arts in August 2007 as visual arts assistant in the BOA Studio. Renae came from a graphic design background and will complete a Bachelor or Fine Art (visual art) in November 2007 at QUT. As a practicing artist, Renae has exhibited both in Brisbane and Sydney since 2002 and has private collections in Australia and the UK, as well as experience in exhibition/event coordinating and curating. To view Renae's work and artistic journal please visit: renaeburton-artist.blogspot.com.

Jessica Townsend - Project Officer

Jessica Townsend is a creative and passionate arts worker with 10 years experience in the arts and cultural sector both locally and internationally. Jessica is a graduate of QUT Creative Industries majoring in Performance Studies and also completed a Minor in Indigenous Studies through cross institutional studies at JCU Cairns. Jessica has worked as a respite carer, behaviour support worker and coordinator of community programs for adults and children with disabilities in the Brisbane region and in the UK. Jessica has been a private Speech and Drama teacher for ten years and an enthusiastic Director of Children's theatre. Jessica is the Assistant Artistic Director of Butterfly Theatre Company who specialise in Black-light puppetry and physical theatre. Jessica has performed with Butterfly Theatre Company at many festivals around the world most recent being Glastonbury Festival of Contemporary Performing Arts (UK) and the Woodford Folk Festival. Jessica loves a creative challenge and is excited about being a new member of the Access Arts Team.