Ms Hough, after all, was Arts Adviser to former Premier Jim Bacon at the time The Emperor memorably lambasted artists protesting at Forestry Tasmania sponsorship of 10 Days on the Island as cultural fascists.

The wounds of that little standoff still fester.

And Othello fears Ms Hough will be too entrenched in that establishment camp to bring a uniting salve.

Here’s Paula’s gushing announcement …

New Director for Arts Tasmania

A candidate with strong arts management and government policy credentials has been appointed the new Director of Arts Tasmania.

The Minister for Tourism, Arts and the Environment, Paula Wriedt, said the appointment of Ms Katherine Hough is great news for the arts in Tasmania.

“Ms Hough has the experience, the skills and the expertise to drive the arts forward and build further on Tasmania’s reputation for a dynamic and vibrant arts sector.”

Ms Hough began her career in the arts in Perth, Western Australia, more than 20 years ago and highlights include coordinating the Festival of the Dreaming as part of the Sydney Olympics Arts Festivals, being the operations manager of the Sydney Dance Company and the program manager of the Canberra Theatre Trust.

Ms Hough came to Tasmania in 1999 to be the chief executive officer of the Theatre Royal in Hobart.  For four years, Ms Hough worked as the arts advisor to former premier Jim Bacon.  Most recently she has been the Director of the Policy and Projects Unit in the Department of Tourism, Arts and the Environment.

Ms Wriedt said Ms Hough’s appointment is particularly timely, with the release last month of An Island Inspired, a discussion paper on a new vision for the arts in Tasmania.

“This discussion paper is seeking input from people throughout the state on a new vision for the arts in Tasmania,” Ms Wriedt said.

“It comes on the back of a record investment in the arts by the State Government in the 2007/08 Budget, including an increase of $1.5 million each year for arts grants, programs and new initiatives.”

Ms Wriedt once again paid tribute to the work of out-going Arts Tasmania Director, Lynne Uptin, and her achievements for the arts sector in Tasmania.

“Lynne Uptin leaves a record of strong leadership behind her and the appointment of Ms Hough will ensure that the many successes of the last decade are built upon as we move towards a new vision for the arts in Tasmania.”

Katherine Hough - Curriculum Vitae

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

2006-present     DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM, ARTS & The ENVIRONMENT (DTAE)

Position:          Director, Policy & Projects Unit/ Secretariat

2005-2006     DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM, PARKS, HERITAGE & THE ARTS

Position:        Principal Policy & Projects Officer

2004- June2005 OFFICE OF THE PREMIER, TASMANIA

                  Deputy Chief of Staff

2001- 2004       OFFICE OF THE PREMIER, TASMANIASenior Policy Adviser

1999-2001       THEATRE ROYAL HOBART

Position:          Chief Executive Officer

1997-1999       SYDNEY DANCE COMPANY

Position:            Operations Manager

July-October 1997         SOCOG OLYMPIC ARTS FESTIVALS

Position:            Project Co-ordinator, Festival of the Dreaming

1995-1997         CANBERRA THEATRE TRUST

Position:            Program Administrator

1994-1995         General Manager, Griffin Theatre Company

1993-1994         Freelance events management and publicity

1992               Project Co-ordinator, Darling Harbour Authority

1990-1991         Assistant General Manager, Beck Theatre, London

1986-1990         Special Projects Officer, Perth Theatre Trust

1985               Youth Arts Officer, Youth Affairs Bureau W.A.

TRAINING AND EDUCATION

1999       Fundraising and Philanthropy in the Arts

          Queensland University of Technology short course

1986-1988       Associate Diploma of Performing Arts (Arts Management)

                W.A. Academy of Performing Arts

1984-1985       Associate Diploma of Trinity College London

                (Speech & Drama teaching)

1984       Tertiary Admissions Examinations, Penrhos College, Perth W.A.

OTHER INFORMATION

Professional associations & committees

2001-current     Various interdepartmental committees on policy issues

                  across State government

2000-2001         Vice President, Australasian Performing Arts Centres Association

2000-2001         Executive Committee, Australian Presenters’ Group

2000-2001         Convenor, LIVE Tasmania performing arts marketing

1996-2001         Long Paddock Arts Presenters’ Group

1996-2000         Confederation of Australasian Performing Arts Presenters

Community & other associations

2007       Volunteer mentor, Festival of Dreams

            Volunteer, RSPCA Tasmania

            Committee member, Cultural & Policy Platform, Australian Labor Party (Tasmanian Branch)

            Team member & fundraiser, Cancer Council Relay for Life

2004       Chair, Cultural & Policy Platform, Australian Labor Party (Tasmanian Branch)

1992-current       Member, Amnesty International

Languages

Good spoken and written French

Currently learning Italian; some basic Japanese

Interests & hobbies

Food, wine, travel, politics, film, theatre, gym, bushwalking, books, music, dogs, rugby

Othello

Ms Katherine Hough is the new Director for Arts Tasmania. I fear this is a divisive move.