Scandal Rocked Aus Council Appoints New Chair

23 June 2012 | 4:01 pm | Staff Writer

Embroiled in controversy for the past few months, the Australia Council announces a new Chair and Deputy Chair.

Having spent the past few months embroiled in very public controversies, the Australia Council for the Arts today announced the appointment of a new Chair and Deputy Chair.

James Strong (Chairman of Woolworths) has stepped down from the Council Chair and is handing over the position to Rupert Myer AM. It has also been announced that singer/writer/director Robyn Archer will now be Deputy Chair.

Under the rein of Strong the Council has been criticised for both elitist funding and giving money to a death metal band.

Both Myer and Archer have hands-on experience in the arts and entertainment industries. Myer is a former Chairman of both the National Gallery of Australia and the National Gallery of Victoria Foundation. And alongside her lengthy stage career, Archer has also been a public advocate of the arts.

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