WAM Appoints Arts Exec As New CEO

Arts and theatre director Mike Harris has been named the new CEO of WAM, replacing Wendy Were who resigned last year after revitalising the organisation.

Western Australia's peak industry body for contemporary music, WAM announced the appointment today, with Harris to take up the role towards the end of February.

Raised in WA, Harris said, “I am thrilled at the opportunity to work with such a pivotal and well respected organisation as WAM, and look forward to contributing to the ongoing championing and well-being of WA's contemporary music industry.

“Having lived and worked in the eastern states for 15 years, and largely in the performing arts sector, it is exciting to be returning home to work in the area of my first love, music!”

Since leaving WA Harris had has stints with the Melbourne International Arts Festival, Sydney's Glen Street Theatre and Melbourne's Arts Centre before most recently holding down a consulting role with Pracsys Consulting Group, where he was involved with a State Government review of the Perth Theatre Trust.

WAM President Andy Zell said the organisation “is set for a period of continued evolution and growth, improving further upon an excellent position established by outgoing CEO Wendy Were. With renewed focus, WAM is excited to have Mike as our new CEO to continue WAM's contribution to all facets of WA music.”

The most visible aspect of WAM's revitalisation was the broadening of the conference's scope and the national profile of the WAM Awards.