Encounter Welcomes New Board Members, Introduces Innovative Observership Program
Boorloo-based theatre company, Encounter is excited to announce the appointment of Frances Robinson and Josianne Fortin to its Board. With extensive arts experience, Frances and Josianne align with Encounter's commitment to creating theatre that reflects contemporary Australia.
Encounter Chair Karl Matacz said, ‘We are thrilled to extend a warm welcome to Josianne and Frances as they join the board of Encounter. Their wealth of experience and passion for the arts will undoubtedly enrich our endeavours, and we look forward to their valuable contributions.’
Frances Robinson is an experienced Producer who has worked across leading cultural institutions including the Tate Galleries, Biennale of Sydney and Creative Australia. She is currently the Lead Program Producer at Next Wave. Frances is also recognised for her commitment to fairness and societal equity, particularly in her work advocating for deaf and disabled artists and leaders. Her role as a connector and space-creator aligns seamlessly with Encounter's mission of fostering new collective futures, prioritising reciprocity, generosity, and equity.
Josianne Fortin is a transformation and technology professional with Masters in International Relations from San Francisco State University, and a Bachelors in Communication from the Université du Québec à Montréal. Having lived and worked in multiple countries, Josianne brings a global perspective to her work and community engagement. Hailing from a Native American (Wendat) background she is passionate about leveraging storytelling as a powerful tool to connect humans. Josianne has held various senior positions at Synergy before joining Woodside Energy as Head of Digital Delivery, Platforms and Software Engineering.
CEO/Artistic Director Jay Emmanuel expressed, ‘Welcoming Josiane and Frances to the Encounter family is a dream come true following an extensive national search. As we embark on a period of significant growth, I eagerly look forward to working with the board to ensure every story finds its place on our stages.’
Empowering Future Leaders: Encounter Launches New Board Observership Program
In 2024, Encounter is proud to introduce its new Board Observership Program, designed to engage arts leaders aged 21-29 from diverse communities. Over the next two years, Harry Hamzat will observe the Encounter board, gaining insights into high-level arts company governance.
Harry Hamzat, an actor in Children of the Sea and Nightwalks with Teenagers, is studying biological science at UWA. Harry Hamzat said, ‘I am honored for this opportunity to witness the business side of theatre and learn what it takes to make shows happen.’
We look forward to the exciting contributions and fresh perspectives that Frances Robinson, Josianne Fortine, and Harry Hamzat will bring to the next chapter of Encounter.