Sarah Gardner

In 2001 Sarah Gardner created the first global network of national arts funding bodies, the International Federation of Arts Councils and Culture Agencies, and is its founding Executive Director. With members from 60 countries, the Federation provides a meeting ground and information resource for arts policy makers and managers.

 

From 1990 to 2001 she held several senior positions at the Australia Council, the Federal Government's arts funding and advisory body, which had a budget of $A70 million and a staff of 120. During 2000 she conducted the Council's national arts planning project, Planning for the Future, while working to establish the Federation.

 

From 1993 to 1999, she was Director Strategy and Policy, managing the Council's policy, planning and promotional activities, government relations, its internationally renowned arts research program, the secretariat and library. She directed the Australia Council's extensive print and web publishing program and information management strategy. She was responsible for advocating to and advising Government and the arts sector on numerous policy issues such as copyright, new technologies, regional arts, cultural diversity and indigenous arts, youth arts, broadcasting and taxation reform.

 

Sarah represented the Council in many committees, conferences and Parliamentary hearings. She played a key role in restructuring the Council's governance and operations, held the positions of Public Affairs Manager and Operations Manager, Performing Arts, and was appointed Acting General Manager on several occasions.

 

Prior to joining the Council, Sarah was a Senior Consultant for Issues Australia whose clients included BHP Steel, Rothschilds, State Rail Authority, Bond Brewing and prominent companies in the health, legal, retail and cultural sectors. From 1985 to 1988 she was National Media Coordinator then Director Public Affairs, for the Australian Bicentennial Authority. Prior to this, Sarah was Manager of Regulatory Affairs for the Australian arm of German pharmaceutical company, Schering AG.

 

Sarah has a Masters in Public Policy and a BSc. She served on the board of Object, the Australian Centre for Craft and Design, and of the Forum Cultural Mundial. She has a strong commitment to supporting artists and creativity, social inclusion and democratic policy making, a singular knowledge of international arts policies and a worldwide network of contacts.

 

	2001 - 2008 Executive Director - IFACCA (Australia) -
	1993 - 2000 Director Strategy and Policy - Australia Council (Australia) -
	1990 - 1993 Public Affairs Manager - Australia Council (Australia) -
	1988 - 1990 Senior Consultant - Issues Australia (Australia) - Issues management, communications and marketing strategies for major clients in private and public sector.
	1985 - 1988 Director Public Affairs - Australian Bicentennial Authority (Australia) - Various roles in information, media liaison, editor for national celebrations
	1981 - 1985 Manager Regulatory Affairs - Schering AG (Australia) -

	2000 MPP Masters in Public Policy - University of Sydney (Australia)
	1977 BSc Bachelor of Science - University of Sydney (Australia)

Sarah Gardner (2000) Planning for the Future , Sydney, Australia Council, ISSN/ISBN:0642472335

S. Gardner (2006) 'Dialogue or Diplomacy? Public Policy and International Artist Mobility Programs', IN: Dynamics of Communications: New Ways and New Actors 137-144, ISSN/ISBN:978-953-6096-39-8