Jessica Machin

The West Australian Ballet has appointed Jessica Machin as executive director, filling one of the biggest positions in the state’s arts scene.

Regional tours have become a regular fixture on the calendars of Western Australia’s biggest arts companies, but ensuring the programs’ longevity remains a financial challenge for many.

WA’s major performance-based arts groups have persevered through a broadly stagnant economic environment this past year.

The West Australian Ballet has announced it will tour China with a performance of ‘Giselle’ in October of next year, as part of the company’s recently announced 2020 season.

The performing arts sector is coming up with new ways to ensure people are entertained, in light of government restrictions on indoor events attended by 100 people or more as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Forty-nine arts organisations that previously received Australia Council for the Arts funding have missed out in the latest round, with the 95 recipients selected last Friday to share $31.7 million over four years.

Arts organisations are cautiously planning how they might perform and interact once restrictions are lifted.

The business community has supported front-line charities during the pandemic, but the economic downturn may change this.

Lotterywest has announced the beneficiaries of $26.3 million in COVID-19 relief grants, with West Australian Ballet receiving one of the largest sums.

Jessica Machin has resigned as West Australian Ballet’s executive director to pursue a new, as-yet-unannounced leadership role.