Hey team, for those of us still here....! 

I'm signing off after my next meeting, so just wanted to say how brilliant I think you all are. And not just because it's Christmas.

We are definitely not a typical arts organisation, so there's rarely a roadmap for the kind of work we want to do - and there's both joy and frustration in having some freedom to design what that looks like. The unusual nature of our organisation also means we are often not the priority of the people we work with outside the organisation whether that’s funders, or members, or other arts organisations... until suddenly we are their priority… and that in itself is challenging. The way this team navigates these complexities is really admirable. We’ve grown quickly, and many of us swimming in the deepest of deep ends, and I acknowledge this therefore hasn’t always been the easiest pool in which to spend so much of our time.

I know I say this a lot, but truly, what each and every one of you do makes a difference. It’s hard to get that clarity when you’re deep in the weeds, but know that the rest of your team, the board, the members and the sector at large see what we are doing and see that it’s not easy work. In a time when the good things emerging from the sector seem few and far between, please know that YOU are the good things emerging from the sector. You are the ones who are making good (and important) things happen.   

I hope you all really do take the time not just to relax (holidays are meant for more than healing!) but really enjoy some nourishing time with family, friends or whomever brings you joy over the coming weeks!

With immense gratitude and respect,

Katherine

Katherine Connor

(she/her)

Executive Director | PAC Australia | +61 (0) 419 428 412 | paca.org.au

I acknowledge the Whadjuk people of the Noongar nation, on whose land I live and work, and pay respects to their Elders past and present.

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