WA councillor wins hunt for GPAC boss

A Western Australian councillor has quit so he can become the next chief of Geelong Performing Arts Centre (GPAC).
Joel McGuinness tendered his resignation from City of Bunbury’s council this week as GPAC announced he had accepted the role that Jill Smith vacated last year.
Cr McGuinness will leave the Bunbury council in early March before taking over at GPAC mid-month.
The 2014 winner of Western Australia’s South West Business Person of the Year oversaw a $12.5 million redevelopment of Bunbury’s entertainment centre as general manager before establishing a consultancy to the state’s arts organisations and venues.
He will arrive at GPAC as it undergoes stage two of its own redevelopment, costing $38.5 million.
“I’m thrilled to be moving to Geelong Performing Arts Centre at such an exciting time for the centre and look forward to becoming part of the community, living and working in Geelong,” Cr McGuinness said.
“I’m keen to start working with the (GPAC) trust, staff and the whole community to deliver great outcomes for Geelong, the G21 Region and the broader arts sector in Victoria and nationally.”
A statement from GPAC said Cr McGuinness won the job after a “national search” for the new chief executive officer.
GPAC described him as an “experienced arts and culture manager” who had worked in metropolitan and regional centres
throughout Australia, including four years in Brisbane .
“Joel is currently the director of the Bunbury Fringe and South West Multicultural Festivals and … has also held numerous industry board positions including vice-chair of the Australian Performing Arts Centres Association.”
GPAC interim-chair Jane den Hollander was “delighted” with Cr McGuinness’s appointment.
“Joel has worked extensively in Australia’s arts and cultural sector both in capital cities and in regional areas,” she said.
“He understands the important role the arts and creative industries can play in shaping and transforming communities and will bring a wealth of experience and ideas to GPAC and the region.”