Marianne Taylor, the new Executive Director of Arts Access Aotearoa, has returned home to New Zealand after four years in Australia, where she headed Arts Action in Tasmania and served on the board of directors of Arts Access Australia.

Ms Taylor has been working in the arts sector for 13 years and sees the arts as a means to build inclusive, vibrant and culturally diverse communities.

"Marginalised people have raw and powerful stories to tell and I'm full of admiration for the process that some people go through to express their artistic vision," she said.Marianne Taylor, the new Executive Director of Arts Access Aotearoa, has returned home to New Zealand after four years in Australia, where she headed Arts Action in Tasmania and served on the board of directors of Arts Access Australia.

Ms Taylor has been working in the arts sector for 13 years and sees the arts as a means to build inclusive, vibrant and culturally diverse communities.

"Marginalised people have raw and powerful stories to tell and I'm full of admiration for the process that some people go through to express their artistic vision," she said."One of the things I'm particularly keen to do is encourage the professional and community arts sectors to work collaboratively. As well as helping marginalised communities tell their stories and voice their concerns with dignity, the experience can be a huge source of inspiration for professional artists."

Murray Short, Chair of Arts Access Aotearoa, said that Ms Taylor brought a wealth of experience to her new role and has developed valuable networks in New Zealand and Australia.

"She has worked across the arts, particularly in cultural community development, and has had a number of leadership roles," he said. "We are delighted to welcome Marianne on board."

Arts Access Aotearoa is a national organisation with an office in Wellington. Working with marginalised artists and communities, it strives for an inclusive society where all people are able to participate in the arts, whatever their circumstances. Its key stakeholders are people with intellectual and physical disabilities, youth at risk, the elderly, mental health consumers, prisoners, refugees and disadvantaged migrants.

Ms Taylor returned from Australia to Wellington in early 2008 and was appointed Programmes Manager at Arts Access Aotearoa. In 1995, she worked at the Victoria University School of Music and then at Capital E National Theatre for Children in Wellington before heading to the Banff Centre for the Arts in Canada in 2002, where she worked as a lighting designer for two years. She was General Manager of Terrapin Puppet Theatre, Australia's oldest puppet theatre, before setting up and then leading Arts Action in late 2005, an organisation promoting arts access in Tasmania.

The following year, she directed the Amalgamation Arts Festival, Tasmania's first arts and disability festival. Opening on International Disability Day on 3 December, it was held in six centres over two weeks in Tasmania.

"This festival is an example of community and professional artists working collaboratively and it's had long-term benefits for both sectors," Ms Taylor said. "I would love to see a similar festival in New Zealand celebrating diversity, disability and art in the margins. As well as providing access opportunities, it would also play an important role in breaking down barriers and fostering an inclusive society."

Arts Access Aotearoa receives major funding from Creative New Zealand, the Department of Corrections and Wellington City Council, as well as sponsorship from a number of philanthropic organisations.

29/05/08