Staff
Chief Executive Officer
Andy Gowland-Douglas
Arts Waikato welcomes new CEO Andy Gowland-Douglas to the team. Andy comes to us from Taranaki were she has been since 2002 working first as the Community Development Manager at New Plymouth District Council, and for the past 4 years General Manager of the Taranaki Cancer Society. Prior to this while on her ‘big OE’ she worked as a Community ICT project Manager in London, developing projects that utilized technology to achieve social outcomes.
As a University of Waikato Alumni, Andy is no stranger to the Waikato having lived here from 1991 – 1999. Her areas of strength lie in not for profit leadership and organizational development, community development, fundraising and income development, communications, event management, ICT and governance. Andy is passionate about creativity and developing the potential of individuals, organizations and communities which makes her a great fit for her new role at Arts Waikato. She is also a mother of 3 young children, a company director, and in her spare time likes to tackle issues of social justice and human rights. She is also a keen dragon boater, loves to sing, and takes photos of anything and everything.
Contact Andy
Community Arts Advisor
Renee Casserly
Renée Casserly had inside knowledge on one of her first jobs as Arts Waikato community arts advisor.
The recipient of an Arts Waikato scholarship in 2003, she was involved in organizing our annual awards event in May this year.
Renée's scholarship was for a Bachelor of Management Studies with a double major in theatre and marketing. She also completed the Marketing the Arts paper with Dr Suzette Major who co-presents the Arts Waikato Arts.Biz workshop series.
These qualifications will be put to valuable use in her role as advisor to community arts groups, who are often looking for ways to promote their activities and increase membership.
While completing her degree, Renée became a key participant in the region's theatre community, acting, producing and directing. She became a member of the Hamilton Community Arts Council, then worked for them as an Arts Advisor.
Projects and groups she has worked with include the inaugural Words of Worth Literature Festival at the Hamilton Gardens Summer Festival, Slip of the Tongue Summer Shakespeare, Pocket Pantos and Free Lunch Street Theatre Company.
You may also have seen Renée at a festival or event, but under a thick layer of grey paint as a living statue! Most recently she directed the successful production of Bare at Riverlea Theatre in Hamilton.
Renée will be taking over the coordination of the Community Arts Centre steering group and is keen to work with other Arts Waikato networks such as Community Arts Councils and the Creative Spaces network for groups in the disability sector.
She is also interested in extending her already substantial networks. "I believe communication and collaboration are the keys to successfully building the arts in the region. Networking between arts groups and artists is so important, not only in sharing ideas and knowledge but in terms of creating new work, and finding the most effective means of getting it out there to Waikato audiences."
Renée takes over from Hilary Falconer who, after nearly six years at Arts Waikato, has left to travel round Australia.
Contact Renée for advice and support for your group.
Arts Education Advisors
Wanda Barker
Arts Waikato recently confirmed an exciting expansion of regional advisory services with the appointment of two part-time Arts Education advisors, Wanda Barker of Raglan and Kerrie Martin of Hamilton. Starting on June 16, their positions have been made possible by generous funding from the Perry Foundation.
Wanda is a published writer of fiction and poetry and an exhibiting artist. In 2004 she completed her Masters degree in Fine Arts at the Whitecliffe School of Arts and Design in Auckland. With a long association with the Raglan Area School and professional experience as a tutor in the Wintec Media Arts and Communications department, she is also a counsellor and therapist.
Wanda views her appointment as an Arts Waikato advisor as a wonderful opportunity to draw upon all her professional experiences while sharing her creative skills and enthusiasm with educators.
"I value the opportunity to work in the arts, with schools and the wider communities they serve and I'm especially excited about the creative possibilities that might be discovered by bringing community arts people and school communities together. "
Kerrie Martin
Kerrie is looking forward to combining her love of teaching, experience as a visual artist and previous work as an intermediate school Special Needs Co-ordinator. Between 1990 and 2004 she was a highly-regarded teacher at Peachgrove Intermediate, Fairfield Intermediate and Marian School, where her talents assisted many children to discover their own abilities and develop enthusiasm for the arts. In 2005 she established and operated the Riverstone Art Gallery in Hamilton.
"I'm excited at the prospect of working in schools to help develop knowledge and love of the arts. Providing input and ideas into an exciting area of learning is something I can't wait to do," she said.
Chief Executive Tim Macindoe said the appointment of two advisors would be especially helpful as the scope of the new advisory service evolves. "Kerrie and Wanda bring a range of skills and knowledge to their positions. We are confident they will be of enormous help to teachers delivering the arts curriculum in schools at the primary and intermediate levels, especially in areas with small rolls and staff numbers and a lack of community arts facilities and resources."
Kaiwhakahaere i nga Mahi Toi
Waimihi Hotere
Tribal Affiliations: Te Aupouri, Ngati Maniapoto, Ngati Mahuta, Ngati Wai.
Waimihi Hotere is the new Kaiwhakahaere I Nga Mahi Toi - Maori Arts Advisor, a welcome extension to the Arts Advisory services offered by Arts Waikato.
Waimihi graduated from Toi Whakaari: NZ Drama School in 1997, and has since directed and produced shows for Maori Television and TVNZ.
After fifteen years of professional experience in Theatre, Music and Television throughout Aotearoa, Waimihi is thrilled to return to the Waikato and pour her energy into cultivating a vibrant, dynamic and attractive arts industry which reflects the cultural uniqueness of the Kingitanga.
"I believe the creative potential of the Waikato river is yet to be realised. With encouragement and development, we can harness that energy and emanate its beauty, majesty and mystery throughout our artistic disciplines."
Contact Waimihi
Office Manager
Robyn Couchman
Robyn is your first point of contact at Arts Waikato. Our receptionist and office manager is an experienced administrator, but also has a keen interest in the arts.
Her involvement in the visual arts includes working as a commercial artist, participating in her two daughter's school activities such as painting sets for drama productions, and exhibiting with the Waikato Society of Arts. Robyn has also been involved in theatre and would like to have more time to pursue her love of painting in water colour.
Robyn keeps us organised and looks after our databases and website, so if you need contact information, or you have changed your contact details, or you want to give us feedback on this site, let Robyn know.
Contact Robyn if you would like more information about our workshops or scholarships, need a contact, or would like to be in our Spotlight for the month.