Staff

John Kirkman, CEO
John Kirkman has been the Chief Executive Officer Penrith Performing & Visual Arts since 2005. Immediate to this he was Director of the Penrith Regional Gallery & The Lewers Bequest (2001-2005). Previously he was Curator/Manager of djamu Gallery Australian Museum at Customs House (1998-2001), and was inaugural Director, Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre (1992-98). John was also Project Co-ordinator, Flying Fruit Fly Circus, Albury/Wodonga (1987-92).

John Kirkman has worked extensively as curator and project manager for a range of exhibitions, performance programs and major public art commissions and consultancies. Clients include Sydney International Airport (SACL), Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority, Hawkesbury City Council and Liverpool City Council.

John Kirkman has also co-ordinated and curated a range of international cultural exchange programs with particular focus on Japan and India. He was a member of the NSW Premier’s Arts Advisory Council 2006-09. John Kirkman has a Masters of Arts Administration (College of Fine Art, University of NSW) and a Diploma of Teaching (Wollongong University). 

Phone: (02)47237609
Email: jkirkman@jspac.com.au

Ms. Victoria Harbutt, (Acting) Director, Penrith Regional Gallery & The Lewers Bequest
Curator – Special Projects Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre
Victoria Harbutt has been employed in senior management and curatorial positions at the Penrith Regional Gallery & The Lewers Bequest since 2002, and has been a key initiator in the program and operational revitalisation of the Gallery.
Victoria Harbutt has been Curator, Special Projects for Penrith Performing & Visual Arts since 2007. Immediate to this she was Curator for Penrith Regional Gallery & The Lewers Bequest (2003 – 2007). Prior to working with the Gallery Victoria Harbutt curated exhibitions for the Australian Museum’s djamu Gallery at Customs House; was International Client Services Manager for Phillips International Fine Art Auctioneers and was a Director of the Sydney Fringe Festival from 1995 – 1998. In 2009 she also completed a major strategic planning project for the Australian Museum with regards its Pacific Collection, exhibitions and community access.

Victoria Harbutt’s curatorial work is highly regarded in Australia and overseas. In particular, her Vinyl House (2003 and 2010), Tracksuits of St Marys (2006), Strictly Samoan (2008) and Class, Classy, Classic (2009) exhibition projects are considered fine examples of curatorial best practice, scholarship and popularity with audiences. Her exhibitions have also toured nationally and internationally.

Victoria Harbutt has also worked as a choreographer and director of her own dance based performance work as well as a choreographer, dancer and director of both professional and community performance projects for organisations such as Sydney Theatre Company; Belvoir St Theatre; Teatro Doppio; Flying Fruit Fly Circus; El Sharek Arabic Theatre; Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras; Carnivale; Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre; Museum of Contemporary Arts, Sydney; Art Gallery of NSW; The Rockmelons; and the Xylouris Ensemble.

Victoria Harbutt has a B.A. Communication degree from UTS, Sydney, and 20 years dance training in Classical Ballet (R.A.D), Jazz Dance (Alvin Ailey) and Russian Character Dance (Moseiyev).
 
Phone: (02) 4735 1100
Email: vharbutt@penrithcity.nsw.gov.au
 
Naomi McCarthy, Manager - Education and Public Programs
Naomi McCarthy was appointed Manager – Education and Public Programs in 2007 after five years as Education Officer. Naomi produces accessible and relevant education programs that focus on school curricula areas, and designs and develops extra-curricular workshop programs for school-aged students. She also designs and implements community access workshops and tour programs for visitors with a disability, seniors, young audiences and the general public.

Naomi produced and presented Naomi’s Wonderground, a 2006 arts review program for Channel 31 and co-wrote the following education kits: Teacher resource (2008); Case Studies: Penrith Regional Gallery & The Lewers Bequest Collection (2008); Man: Depicting Contemporary Masculinity (2008); For Matthew & Others: Journeys with Schizophrenia (2006); Art in the Classroom (2004); and Anita and Beyond (2003).

Naomi was previously a Visual Arts teacher at Penrith High School. She gained a BA in Fine Arts (Distinction) from The University of Western Sydney in 1999 and a Graduate Diploma in Secondary Education (Distinction) from the University of Western Sydney in 2000. She is currently undertaking a Master of Creative Writing at The University of Sydney.

Phone: (02) 4735 1100
Email: nmccarthy@penrithcity.nsw.gov.au

Zona Wilkinson, Curator - Indigenous Programs
Zona Wilkinson is an Aboriginal artist, educator and elder highly respected in local and regional communities. She has expertise in Aboriginal community cultural development and community engagement – particularly regionally focused Aboriginal contemporary visual arts practice – and visual arts education. She has worked as a tutor and lecturer at the Western Sydney Institute of TAFE and has developed and delivered non-gallery outreach programs, including those in prisons and community centres.

Zona has extensive experience as a young offenders support person and works with Blacktown, Mt Druitt and St Marys police stations.

Phone: (02) 4735 1100
Email: zwilkinson@penrithcity.nsw.gov.au 

Dr Shirley Daborn, Curator and Collections Manager
Shirley Daborn was appointed Project Officer – Collections and Strategic Projects in December 2006. Shirley manages the Penrith Regional Gallery & The Lewers Bequest Collection. She is also a member of the curatorial team and works on selected curatorial projects and publications.

From 1999 to 2006 Shirley tutored in the areas of Art and Architectural History and Theory at The University of Western Sydney and The University of New South Wales. She received a BA Art History and Criticism (Hons First Class) from The University of Western Sydney in 1999. She completed her PhD in 2009 at The University of New South Wales, focusing on mid-twentieth century suburban shopping centres and cultural representations of women in the role of primary shopper.

Phone: (02) 4735 1100
Email: sdaborn@penrithcity.nsw.gov.au
 
Jonathan Wilson, Exhibitions Manager
Jonathan Wilson was appointed Exhibitions Manager in 2010. Jonathan installs all exhibitions and maintains the galleries visual aesthetic in line with exhibiting artists, the gallery director and it’s curators desires. Jonathan has worked on Disorder Disorder: Ulterior Motives in Contemporary Art (2010) and Gathered Up (2010). He has previously worked at Penrith Regional Gallery having installed shows for John Kirkman and Victoria Harbutt. Some of these include Unreal Rock (2003), The Vinyl House (2003), Brainfeed (2003), Boofheads & Scrubbers Revenge (2003) and Anita and Beyond (2003).
 
Jonathan currently owns independent record label Speak n Spell, manages artists, is an aria nominated musician and visual artist. He has exhibited across the country including Brainfeed (2003) and performed internationally at length. He has lived in both the UK and USA and through his extensive travels has worked with visual artists and musicians. He has an honours degree in Fine Arts from the University of Western Sydney. 

Phone: (02) 4735 1100
Email: jonathan.wilson@penrithcity.nsw.gov.au  

Shayne Roberts, Heritage Gardener
Shayne Roberts was appointed Heritage Gardener in 2006. He is responsible for the conservation, care, maintenance and management of the Gallery’s heritage gardens.
Shayne was previously a Horticulturalist with the Historic Houses Trust of NSW and worked at Vaucluse House from 2001 to 2005. He joint project managed the Vaucluse House Specimen Garden, which has a mixture of exotic shrubs as well as natives, perennials and various annuals, a collection representative of the early nineteenth century when William Wentworth resided at the property. Prior to this he worked in Landscape Construction with Geoff Rogerson Pty Ltd as a Leading Hand (1998–2001). He gained a Diploma of Horticulture and Landscape at Ryde Technical College in 2002.

Phone: (02) 4735 1100
Email: sroberts@penrithcity.nsw.gov.au
  
Cassandra Aad, Gallery Cleaner
Cassandra Aad was appointed Gallery Cleaner in 2009. She is responsible for the maintenance and cleaning of all Gallery spaces and amenities as well as the care of Garden sculptures.

Previously Cassandra has managed and maintained various positions within the NSW hospital system as well as being an employee for the Australian tax office as a client contact officer. Since her appointment the Gallery has enjoyed a high level of care which has enhanced the natural beauty and elegance of Penrith Regional Gallery & The Lewers Bequest. 
 
Phone: (02) 4735 1100

Board of Management
The management, operations and strategic direction of the Penrith Regional Gallery & The Lewers Bequest is overseen by the Board of Management of Penrith Performing & Visual Arts (PP&VA). The PP&VA Board meets six times each year, and currently comprises:
Hon. Peter Anderson AM (Chairman)
Ms. Gil Appleton
Cl. Robert Ardill
Cl. Ross Fowler OAM
Cl. Jackie Greenow
Mr. Barry Husking
Mrs. Cathy Jarman
Mr. Tony Lackey
Cl. Karen McKeown
Ms. Barbara Magee
Mr. John Mullane (Deputy Chairman)
Mr. Dennis Rice
Mr. Pat Sheehy AM.

Visual Arts Subcommittee
The PP&VA Board has established a Visual Arts Subcommittee, which meets six times each year and currently comprises:
Cl. Jackie Greenow (Chair)
Ms. Gil Appleton
Mrs. Jan Cannon (Community Advisor)
Mr. Charles Glanville (Community Advisor)
Mrs. Lynda Henderson (Community Advisor)
Mr. Tony Lennon (Community Advisor)
Cl. Karen McKeown
Ms. Ana Sastrias (Community Advisor)
Ms. Naomi Oliver
Ms. Fabri Blacklock
 
All correspondence/enquiries for the PP&VA Board of Management and Visual Arts Subcommittee should be directed to:
Mr. John Kirkman
CEO
Penrith Performing & Visual Arts
PO Box 2
PENRITH NSW 2751
jkirkman@jspac.com.au


Penrith Performing & Visual Arts
Penrith Performing & Visual Arts (PP&VA) was established in 2007, and is an internationally unique (and ambitious) amalgam of the visual arts, performing arts and arts education.

PP&VA produces and presents dynamic cultural and arts education programs for the people of Penrith, western Sydney and beyond, and comprises:
- Penrith Regional Gallery & The Lewers Bequest
- Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre
- Q Theatre Company
- Penrith Conservatorium of Music

PP&VA Vision
To develop and deliver cultural programs and infrastructure that enriches, educates and empowers our communities and audiences. We believe that:
- Our communities and audiences deserve the very best in cultural programs, entertainment and arts education.
- The Arts assist in achieving community engagement and cohesion, and are central to creativity.
- Creativity nourishes and stimulates the health and vibrancy of our communities.
- The Arts are integral to innovation and the creative economy.

PP&VA Values
PP&VA is committed to:
- Access and equity
- Cultural excellence and innovation
- Community engagement and collaboration
- Celebrating our local (and regional) communities and their stories
- Inspiring and educating the youth of our community
- Respecting our communities and audiences.

PP&VA Structure
PP&VA is a Company Limited by Guarantee, and a controlled entity of Penrith City Council. Managed by a community based Board of Management PP&&VA receives ongoing subsidy from Penrith City Council (as well as private and public sector funding – particularly ArtsNSW).

PP&VA – Value to our Community
Penrith Performing & Visual Arts is acknowledged regionally, nationally (and internationally) for its dynamic cultural programs and excellent cultural facilities, and specifically:
- Develops and delivers a unique blend of visual and performing arts programs, events and activities of excellence
- Provides community focused performing and visual arts education programs
- Attracts audiences and visitors to Penrith and our region
- Provides employment for artists and performers living and working in our region
- Presents artists of national and international renown for the people of Penrith and our region
- Presents exhibitions and performances throughout Australia and internationally
- Specialises in the development of cross art form synergies and community development projects
- Is a cultural hub and economic driver for Penrith
- Provides affordable and accessible cultural infrastructure for Penrith and our region.