A WEALTH of experience is just the beginning of what Aanya Whitehead plans to bring to Western Riverina Arts.
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Ms Whitehead has taken up the role of regional arts development officer with the organisation, with the position based in Leeton, but serving the wider area.
A film maker by trade, Ms Whitehead has been part of the film and arts industry for more than three decades.
She's worked overseas, as well as closer to home in Sydney and Melbourne, with her film body of work broadcast across the globe.
Ms Whitehead has also had her films feature at various festivals such as Sundance and Toronto. "I come from specifically a film background, but with all of these films, they are arts related," she said.
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"When you are working within the arts sector, especially with film, it's an extremely collaborative industry. That industry uses artists at every level - graphic artists, photographers, designers, visual artists, writers and many more.
"So, I have been part of that world since I started film making so all of that really does translate into this role."
Ms Whitehead's role will be to develop, promote and align the arts to be a vibrant community in the Leeton, Griffith, Narrandera and surrounding areas.
"It's already a vibrant community ... there are some fabulous things happening," she said.
"I just think it's a matter of locking into those things and, for the organisation, keeping that promoted, audience development is also a big thing for my priorities.
"Another thing I would like to pursue is a cultural map of the area. This would take some time, but it's a long-term goal.
"The arts community involves so much. It's also our job to promote the arts and help artists. We're a service organisation, we facilitate grants, we've got non-profit status.
"We can go for philanthropy money on behalf of artists. It encompasses a lot of things."
Late last year the arts community was dealt a blow of sorts when the federal government announced the Department of Arts and Communication would be blended into one "super department".
As well as the arts and communication, the department will also include the areas of infrastructure, transport and regional development, with some fearing the arts sector would be overlooked when it came to funding and grants opportunities.
"I'm always concerned when the arts goes down the peg in priorities, however my experience has made me a realist," Ms Whitehead said.
"I've seen the arts priorities go up and down many times. For me funding is always a priority and I look at where money can come from all of the time. That's something I will continue doing here."
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