CHAIR REPORT

WELCOME TO OUR 2022 ANNUAL REPORT

2022 has been a year of both familiarity and transformation for CuriousWorks as Australia roars back to life after the unfamiliar and disorienting pandemic years.

The CuriousWorks team have found themselves back in their sweet spot, working incredibly hard to deliver the programs, festivals and events that CuriousWorks is so well known for. I was delighted to attend the Urban Stories event at Blacktown Arts in November. I was inspired by all of the contributors and performances and it reminded me of the important work that CuriousWorks does: connecting through creativity and supporting people in finding the power in expression – no matter what form that takes.

It has also been a year of changes. In August the board farewelled Chair Tiffany Lee-Shoy, who had been a member of the board for approximately 2.5 years. Tiff is a thoughtful and supportive leader of our board and a dynamic support for the CuriousWorks team. We thank Tiff for her hard work.

We also said goodbye to Vanessa Hyde, who led CuriousWorks with distinction as CEO (and GM) for nearly 10 years. Vanessa, true to the form that has seen CuriousWorks flourish under her leadership, stayed on after her official departure to support the transition, handing the torch to new CEO, Kiri Zakinthinos, who commenced in March 2023.

In addition, our thanks must be extended to Elias Nohra, one of the original founding members of CuriousWorks, who stepped in to support the team during the transition, including leading the completion and submissions of several time sensitive and critical grant applications.

We have also seen changes in government both federally and locally and are buoyed by each new government’s vision, enthusiasm and solid policy positions in support of the arts.

As they say, with change comes opportunity and from where I sit that is the overwhelming feeling that I get when thinking about CuriousWorks, its future, and the work that it does. CuriousWorks is uniquely poised with fresh leadership and governance to evolve with its community and look to new and innovative ways to enhance and diversify the resources that it requires to expand and grow its reach – through grants, partnerships and private funding. 

For the management committee, the focus is on supporting CuriousWorks to elevate its profile and seize the opportunity. We are committed and enthused about supporting Kiri and the team at CuriousWorks into its bright future.

Amy Noble
Chair, CuriousWorks