Alan Sorrell has been appointed Chair of Creative New Zealand's Arts Board. The incoming Chair of Creative New Zealand's Arts Council, Alastair Carruthers, said Sorrell would bring invaluable experience to his role: "Alan spent six years as Chair of the NZ Film Commission, and is a keen follower of theatre, so he brings a very good understanding of NZ's cultural sector and highly relevant experience chairing a public funding body. Creative New Zealand is fortunate to have the chance to work with him."Alan Sorrell has been appointed Chair of Creative New Zealand's Arts Board. The incoming Chair of Creative New Zealand's Arts Council, Alastair Carruthers, said Sorrell would bring invaluable experience to his role: "Alan spent six years as Chair of the NZ Film Commission, and is a keen follower of theatre, so he brings a very good understanding of NZ's cultural sector and highly relevant experience chairing a public funding body. Creative New Zealand is fortunate to have the chance to work with him."Creative New Zealand is the national development agency for the arts. Its governing body is the Arts Council which oversees the three grant-making bodies: the Arts Board, Te Waka Toi and the Pacific Arts Committee.

The Arts Board allocates project grants and develops initiatives supporting artists and arts organisations. It also allocates annual or three-year funding to key professional arts organisations.

Appointed by the Associate Minister of Arts, Culture and Heritage, Judith Tizard, Alan Sorrell will take up his role as Arts Board Chair on 1 July 2007.

Alan Sorrell is a barrister at Bankside Chambers Auckland, an Associate of the Arbitrators and Mediators Institute of New Zealand and has an interest in intellectual property issues. He was a member of the New Zealand Film Commission for nine years and Chair for six of those years.

Judith Tizard also announced the appointment of Penny Eames and Sid Ashton as members of Creative New Zealand's Arts Board.

Penny Eames has wide knowledge of arts and community sector and has previously worked as Executive Director of Arts Access Aotearoa.

Sid Ashton is an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit and is currently chair of the Christchurch Arts Festival Board and the Charities Commission.

27/6/07