Minister for the Arts Peter Garrett yesterday announced the reappointment of Professor Ted Snell as the Chair of the Visual Arts Board of the Australia Council for a further three years.

“I am delighted that Professor Snell has agreed to continue in his position as Chair of the Visual Arts Board,” Mr Garrett said.

“Over the past three years, Professor Snell has made a significant contribution to the Visual Arts Board and has been a key member of the Council’s governing board.”

“In particular, Professor Snell has been instrumental in delivering the Australian Governmentís support through the Australia Council for the Visual Arts and Craft Strategy. This important initiative is a partnership between the Commonwealth, State and Territory governments and aims to build a strong, sustainable and dynamic contemporary visual arts and craft sector.”

“The energy, experience and expertise Professor Snell brings to this role are highly valued.”

Professor Snell is the current director of the Cultural Precinct for the University of Western Australia and has made a significant contribution to the Australian visual arts sector through his roles as chair of Artbank, chair of the Asialink Visual Arts Advisory Committee, chair of the Australian Council of University Art and Design Schools and as a board member of the National Association for the Visual Arts.

A practicing visual artist since 1968, Professor Snell’s work has been shown in solo exhibitions in Perth, Melbourne and Brisbane, as well as in group exhibitions throughout Australia.

The Australia Council is the Australian Government’s principal arts funding body and supports Australia’s artists and arts organisations through funding, strengthening and developing the sector.

The Visual Arts Board supports the contemporary expression of art through the broadest range of visual media including craft, design, new media arts and visual arts.

Media contact:

Ben Pratt 02 6277 7640