Thursday, 16 January, 2020 - 06:59
Black Swan appoints executive director
Rick Heath has been named executive director at Black Swan State Theatre Company, following controversy over sudden leadership changes at the organisation last year.
Rick Heath has worked in the performing arts industry across Australia for over 25 years.
He is the director of Push Management, an arts management company that undertakes strategic business planning for creative organisations. Mr Heath was executive producer for the Perth International Arts Festival, and has fulfilled roles such as event operations manager at the Sydney Opera House and general manager of Buzz Dance Theatre. He has co-produced work with Black Swan Theatre Co and worked with companies such as WA Theatre Company, Dance North (Townsville), Chrissie Parrot Dance Company, Country Arts WA, Barking Gecko Theatre Company, Perth Theatre Company and Australian Dance Theatre.
Mr Heath was chair of Steps Youth Dance Company for eight years, chair of AusdanceWA, project facilitator for the Contemporary Dance Model Development project [Future Moves], member and chair of the Dance and Physical Theatre panel for the Helpmann awards from 2004 to 2013, and a member of the Regional Touring panel for four years. He is an authority on performing arts touring in Australia, having been intimately involved in national touring through his work as a ‘Blue Heeler’, whilst touring consultant at Arts on Tour NSW and as both a councillor and interim executive officer of the Performing Arts Touring Alliance [PATA]. Together with Harley Stumm, Mr Heath wrote Australia’s first National Touring Framework for the Australia Council for the Arts.
He is also a champion for cultural advocacy, particularly strategic audience development and engagement.
Mr Heath graduated from the WA Academy of Performing Arts in Stage Management and holds a Bachelor of Business in Marketing.
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Rick Heath has been named executive director at Black Swan State Theatre Company, following controversy over sudden leadership changes at the organisation last year.
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.
The pandemic has highlighted the plight of the arts sector but will the support continue?
Artists are putting pressure on arts organisations to think more carefully about where their funds come from.
The 2020 balance sheets of WA arts companies appear strong, but performance anxiety lingers.
Rick Heath is departing from his role as chief executive of Black Swan State Theatre Company of WA after two years at the helm and will be succeeded by former Screenwest boss Ian Booth.
The disruption of the past two years has contributed to leadership changes and restructures.
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Rick Heath is linked to 6 organisations which are included in 2 lists - Arts & Cultural Organisations and Associations.
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