Minister for the Arts Peter Garrett  has announced the reappointment of Ms Kathy Keele as Chief Executive Officer of the Australia Council for the Arts for a further five years.

îUnder Ms Keeleís leadership the Australia Council has successfully delivered on its mandate to promote excellence, provide opportunities and foster appreciation of the arts in Australia.

ìI am delighted Ms Keele has agreed to continue to lead the Australia Council during this critical period as we develop a national cultural policy and examine current arrangements for supporting artists and arts organisations,î Mr Garrett said.

ìMs Keele was first appointed to the role of General Manager in 2007. During her first term as CEO she has implemented important reforms which have resulted in a more efficient, transparent and effective national arts agency.î

Australia Council Chair James Strong welcomed Ms Keeleís reappointment.

ìKathy has developed a strong and constructive relationship with the governing Council, the Government, and the wider arts sector, from urban to regional Australia.  She has also forged a unity of purpose within the Council based on greater external focus and wider engagement.î

Ms Keele brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the Council. She was previously the Chief Executive Officer of the Australia Business Arts Foundation (AbaF) and is currently a board member of the International Federation of Arts Council and Cultural Agencies.

ìI look forward to continuing to work closely with Ms Keele in her role at the Australia Council.  The Council makes a tremendous contribution to our nationís cultural life by supporting the practice and enjoyment of the arts which, in turn, enriches all our lives.î Mr Garrett said.

Each year, the Australia Council, through the Australian Government, provides more than$158 million in funding for arts organisations and individual artists across Australia.

ìThe Council has successfully managed the implementation of a number of the Governmentís election commitments including ArtStart grants for emerging artists, the Artist in Residence program, or ëAIRí, in schools across the country and the Creative Communities Partnership initiative,î Mr Garrett said.

The Australia Council for the Arts is the Australian Governmentís arts funding and advisory body. It supports Australiaís arts through funding, strengthening and developing the arts sector.