The VCA is delighted to announce the appointment of Maureen Gardner to be the new Head of Production at the VCA. Maureen as worked for many years as Operations Manager and Productions Manager at the Melbourne International Arts Festival. She has also worked over the years for the Melbourne Midsumma Festival, Melbourne Comedy Festival, Scottish International Children's Festival and a number of other organisations.

“I am delighted that Maureen has been appointed as Head of Production,” said Kym Williams, Acting Head of VCA Production. 

“She is highly respected by the industry and has terrific connections which will no doubt be of great value to Production students and staff. She also brings with her, a close professional history with Kristy Edmunds who will join the VCA as Head of Performing Arts in November.”

Kym Williams, Undergraduate Coordinator and lecturer in Costume, has been Acting Head of VCA Production since Richard Roberts stepped down in late 2007.  Richard remains at the VCA as Postgraduate Coordinator and part-time lecturer in Design.

Maureen will commence at the VCA on August 4th, working 2 days a week while she finishes her commitment with the 2008 Festival. She will commence full time on 3 November. We look forward to welcoming her on 4 August.

About Maureen Gardner

Originally from the Shetland Islands in the far north of Scotland, Maureen came to Australia in 1996 after 6 years studying and working in Edinburgh. She brings to the VCA a wealth of experience and broad technical knowledge in all disciplines of the performing and visual arts, multi-media expression and inter-disciplinary site-specific scene making.

Since coming to Melbourne, Maureen has worked extensively on the Festival circuit, in particular with Melbourne International Arts Festival where for over 10 years she managed all technical and logistical aspects of the Festival and where she had the privilege of working with some of the most inspiring artists and artistic directors from Australia and internationally.

Maureen holds a senior leadership position within the arts festival community in Australia and internationally, and across the Melbourne arts presenter network in both the cultural and commercial sectors. She is passionate about supporting artists to realise their vision through concept development in visual and spatial dimensions. She believes that in this age of visual culture the synergies of art, design and technology offer an unparalleled opportunity for those who can create, design, build, implement and manage.

The hallmark of Maureen’s practice is an inclusive and transparent communication and a collaborative problem-solving approach to ‘producing’ and it is these qualities she offers young and emerging production professionals at the VCA.

Technical & artistic collaborations include:

Ariane Mnouchkin & Theatre du Soleil – Le Denier Caravanserail
Robert Wilson Company – I La Galigo / TheTemptation of Saint Anthony
Chris Doyle – Ecstatic City
Big hArt – The bed vigil / Knot @ Home / Radio Holiday
Romeo Castelucci & Societas Raffaello Sanzio – Genesi /Tragedia Endogonidia
Lakhaon Kaol – Weyreap’s Battle
Merce Cunningham Dance Company – The Melbourne Residency
Neil Thomas and the Museum of Modern Oddities – The Blue Thong / Blue Rinse Club
Patrice Warrener - Chromolithe
Wood Marsh Architecture – The Clubhouse
Neil McLachlan & Anton Hasell – Federation Bells / 2001 Handbells