Three new members have been appointed to the Minister’s Creative Council, an advisory body for the arts in the ACT: Julie Nichols, founder and director of the Handmade Market Canberra, the quarterly food and design market; Leah Blankendaal, multi-award-winning performance maker and sound artist; and Daniel O’Malley, author of The Rook, which was awarded the best science fiction novel of 2012, and adapted for television.

Ms Nichols and Ms Blankendaal will begin on 1 January 2024; Mr O’Malley on 1 July.

They will join AJ America, Ketura Budd, Hannah de Feyter, Emma Batchelor, Christopher Carroll, Sophie Edwards, Marissa McDowell, and Rachel Reid, who have all been reappointed.

Ketura Budd will Chair the Council; Ms Nichols will take on the rôle of Deputy Chair.

Outgoing members Ian RT Colless, Ngaio Fitzpatrick, and Ruth O’Brien finish their two-year terms this month, and Ashley Zmijewski will finish his term on 30 June.

The Minister’s Creative Council, established in 2018, provides a vital two-way link between the Minister for the Arts, Tara Cheyne, and Canberra’s arts, culture, and creative sector.

“The appointment of Council members follows a public merit-based recruitment process,” Ms Cheyne said. “I’d like to thank all applicants for the time taken in expressing interest in the Council. It was a very strong field of candidates.

“I am looking forward to working with the new members who represent diverse artforms and backgrounds, adding fresh perspectives to the work of the Council as we continue our ambition for Canberra to be recognised as Australia’s art capital.

“The Council will work with me to progress priorities outlined in the ACT Government’s arts policy, Canberra: Australia’s Art Capital – Arts, Culture and Creative Policy 2022-26, which aim to:

• elevate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ cultural and artistic practices
• create opportunities for art and culture everywhere
• develop arts cultural and creative industry, practice and facilities
• promote our arts and culture to attract artists and creators, arts workers, visitors and investment