Australia Council for the Arts Chief Executive Officer Jennifer Bott has welcomed the announcement today of Mr James Strong AO as Council chair from 1 July 2006.

Ms Bott said: ‘I warmly welcome the appointment of James Strong as the new chair of the Australia Council for the Arts.

‘I have known and worked well with James over many years and value highly his strategic acumen and passion for the arts – qualities which make him an outstanding choice for the position.

‘James Strong is a worthy successor to the superb leadership of David Gonski, who chaired his final meeting of the Council’s governing body yesterday.

‘James has made an enormous contribution to the arts sector – most recently as chair of the Australian Business Arts Foundation, Australian Brandenburg Orchestra and Sydney Theatre Company, as well as conducting the Australian Government’s review of orchestras.

‘As chair of the Australia Council, James will doubtless continue to steer the organisation toward our goals of strengthening and promoting the value of the arts in Australia.’

The Australia Council for the Arts is the Australian Government’s primary arts funding and advisory body. It supports and encourages the development of Australian artists and aims to increase access by all Australians to arts and cultural activities.

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