New executive director for Bangarra Dance Theatre

Zak Kirkup Published March 20, 2023 at 12.16pm (AWST)

business

Ken Markwell. Photo credit: Aged Care Workforce Remote Accord.

Bangarra Dance Theatre has announced the appointment of Ken Markwell, a proud Mununjhali man, to the position of Executive Director.

Bangarra is considered one of Australia's premier Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander performing arts companies, with each dancer a professionally trained, dynamic artist with a proud Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander background.

Mr Markwell has a wealth of experience across the corporate, public sector, and community levels, and at all levels of government. He is a respected Indigenous leader who has been the Executive General Manager of Australian Unity's Indigenous Services business, led Indigenous Business Australia's Traditional Owner and Sustainability Unit, and guided multidisciplinary teams at Commonwealth and State Government levels.

Bangarra Chair, Phillipa McDermott, said: "As the first Indigenous Executive Director in many years, Ken brings a wealth of leadership experience and a deep connection to culture and heritage."

"The Bangarra board and I know that he is the right leader to work alongside Frances Rings to lead the company towards a bright new chapter as we continue to honour and celebrate the stories and culture of Indigenous Australia," she said.

Bangarra Artistic Director Frances Rings said Mr Markwell "shares this deep responsibility, making him the perfect selection to help guide this special company".

"I am thrilled to welcome Ken to the Bangarra Clan, and look forward to working alongside him to help guide this next phase of Bangarra's Songline."

Mr Markwell said it is an "absolute honour" to be "part of such an iconic organisation where our culture and mob are at the heart of everything they do".

Mr Markwell will commence in the role at Bangarra in April 2023. The previous Interim Executive Director, Louise Ingram, will continue as the company's Chief Financial Officer.

The company said the announcement is a advances Bangarra's "vision of promoting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture to a global audience through powerful and distinctive dance performances".