The Ipswich Arts Advisory Group (IAAG) is a dedicated collective of volunteer community leaders committed to fostering the growth of Ipswich’s creative sector. As a key initiative of the Creative Industries Action Plan, the IAAG works to:
Following a successful first term, council expanded the IAAG by inviting passionate arts and cultural leaders to help shape the city’s creative future.
Council encouraged applications from:
Kate Roberts is an Ipswich-based silversmith and artisan who employs multiple disciplines in her artistic practice. She exhibits regularly and has been a finalist in the Contemporary Wearables competition. Her work has been acquired by the Ipswich Art Gallery, as well as numerous private collections. Kate has also served on various local committees, including the Ipswich Art Awards, and is a strong advocate for Ipswich's local artists.
Tom Thum is a renowned beatboxer/musician who has been performing across the globe professionally for almost 20 years. Tom gained notoriety through his 2013 TEDx performance at the Sydney Opera House, becoming the most-watched TEDx video ever with over 114 million combined views. He constantly tries to test the extremes of the human voice whether it be jamming cameras up his nose while performing or fronting the world’s first vocally synthesised live band at Google Brandcast.
Melanie Saward is a proud descendant of the Bigambul and Wakka Wakka peoples. She is a writer, editor, and university lecturer. Her writing has been published in Flock, Overland, Kill Your Darlings, New Australian Fiction 2022 and 2019. Her debut novel Burn was published by Affirm Press in September 2023 and was awarded Queensland Writers Fellowship at the 2023 Queensland Literary Awards.
Matt is a multi-instrumentalist with a passion for helping grow the community music scene. He is in demand as a performer and conductor throughout Queensland. Matt is currently the Musical Director for the Ipswich RSL Band and the Ipswich City Big Band. He has a passion for finding performance opportunities for local musicians who play music as a hobby.
Natalie is a local High School teacher, specialising in Senior English and Legal Studies. Natalie is also the co-manager, editor, social media guru and regular content contributor for Good Call Live, a South-East Queensland independent music website. Run by a strong team of local women, Good Call Live actively supports local musicians in providing day-to-day media coverage, interviews, live reviews as well as the site’s well known Weekly Gig Guide.
Wayne McDonnell is an award-winning photographer with more than thirty years’ experience. His works are displayed in a variety of locations including corporate spaces, private homes and the Ipswich Art Gallery. Wayne was the arts columnist at both the Queensland Times and Ipswich Advertiser. For two decades, he organised the Ipswich Art Awards. Wayne currently tutors photography at U3A.
Ipswich City Council respectfully
acknowledges the Traditional Owners, the Jagera, Yuggera and Ugarapul People of
the Yugara/Yagara Language Group, as custodians of the land and waters we
share. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, as the keepers of
the traditions, customs, cultures and stories of proud peoples.
Phone: (07) 3810 6666
Email: communityengagement@ipswich.qld.gov.au
Postal: PO Box 191, Ipswich QLD 4305, Australia
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