The Hon Rod Kemp was Minister for the Arts and Sport from Friday 23 November 2001 to Tuesday 30 January 2007. This site is available for archival purposes only.
Appointment to Australia Council's Dance Board
The Minister for the Arts and Sport, Senator Rod Kemp, today announced the appointment of Simon Dow to the Australia Council's Dance Board.
'I would like to thank Mr Dow for agreeing to work on the Australia Council's Dance Board. As the Artistic Director of one of Australia's leading Ballet companies I know he will be a welcome addition to the Board,' Senator Kemp said.
In his position as Artistic Director of the West Australian Ballet Mr Dow has created several new works including the very successful ballet version of La Bohème and Carmina Burana which will open in July 2004.
Prior to joining the West Australian Ballet Mr Dow was the Artistic Director of the Milwaukee Ballet and he has choreographed ballets for the Washington Ballet, New York Festival Ballet and the Boston Ballet. Mr Dow has also performed with the Stuttgart Ballet, the San Francisco Ballet and the Australian Ballet and made guest appearances at many international dance festivals including the Mann Performing Arts Centre in Philadelphia, the Spoleto Festival and the International Festival of Dance in Havana, Cuba.
'Mr Dow's experience as both a dancer and Artistic Director has provided him with an excellent insight into Australia's dance companies and the sector,' Senator Kemp said.
The Australia Council is the Australian Government's principal arts funding and advisory body. It encourages the creativity and development of Australian artists and aims to increase access by all Australians to arts and cultural activities.
CANBERRA
21 June 2004