Meet the experts joining the Performance Space board in 2024

As a small team accomplishing big things, Performance Space relies on the expertise and skills of our Board. This is why we are delighted to share with the world the brilliant brains that have recently joined us, and take a moment to thank the Board members who will be stepping down after having served us so well for many years.

Joining the Performance Space board with a wealth of experience across a wide array of industries, we welcome Victoria Hunt, Meagan Loader, Sandra Thoma and Nina Trofimova. They will be joining the talents of our current board members Julie Robb, Fenella Kernebone and our Chair Janine Collins. This marks the end of the tenure of Agatha Gothe-Snape, Brian Fuata, Donna Lawler and Thomas Thoma, whose support has been invaluable during their time on our board,

"Performance Space has a 40 year history of exceptional Board members committed to the growth of Australia's independent arts. So it is with delight that we  announce our latest Board appointments with members who bring a depth of experience and skills across media, financial, fundraising and artistic areas. These appointments will ensure staggered Board terms and long term sustainability. Along with secure funding and a recently appointed Artistic Director, I can't wait to see how the next decade of independent arts evolves." - Janine Collins (Chair of the Performance Space Board)

ABOUT VICTORIA HUNT
Victoria Hunt (she/her) was born on unceded Kombumerri Country (Surfers Paradise) and currently lives on Bidjigal Country, Eora (Sydney, Australia). Her ancestral affiliations are Te Arawa, Rongowhaakata, Kahungunu Māori, Irish, English, Finnish. She works across the visual and performing arts as a dancer, director, choreographer, dramaturg, photographer, and filmmaker. Victoria’s work delves into Indigenous epistemologies within diasporic concepts of identity formation and belonging. Her work is liminal, transcultural, transdisciplinary and reinstates the power of Indigenous creativity within the politics of Rematriation – inserting the body into frameworks of power, for future ancestors. Central to this is Whakapapa (kinship/genealogies), Atua Wahine (sacred feminine principle), Body Weather and IndigiQueer revitalization within creation practices. Her work is a gradual binding of intimate collaboration between artists, Elders and communities

ABOUT MEAGAN LOADER
Meagan Loader (she/her) has worked in arts, music and media for over 30 years, managing creative teams, building brands plus creating, curating and commissioning Australian music and arts content across radio, audio, tv & online, with a focus on young audiences. Meagan was the first ever Program Manager of FBi Radio, designing the station sound and programming when it launched on air fulltime in 2003, where she also launched the Sydney Music Arts and Culture Awards (SMACs) to celebrate the work of emerging and under-represented artists and practitioners across the creative industries including music, food, fashion, art, performance and more. She’s worked at the ABC, launching Double J and working across all the music radio networks and rage as Head of Music. She’s currently Chief Curator of the National Film and Sound Archive. Meagan’s inspired by the work of those who create culture and bring connection, energy and new ideas to audiences, driven to help create spaces, pathways and communities for Australian artists and performers to contribute to Australian arts, culture and identity in all its many forms.

ABOUT SANDRA THOMA
Sandra’s (she/her) background is in Tourism, Hospitality and Marketing with experience in real estate marketing in London,  promotion of Sydney as a convention destination, telecommunications marketing and operations and finally in her own businesses. Her interest in philanthropy and fundraising started in the early 90’s when chairing a committee of friends that raised funds for The Royal Alexandra Hospital for Children. Her high energy approach and capacity to pull teams to share a common goal was then used through involvement in schools associations and charitable organisations in Sydney. Sandra’s interest in the arts stems from a family background of artists in the Philippines. Together with her husband Thomas, a previous PSpace board member, they share a common interest in the arts and design and are avid collectors of modern art. Sandra is excited to bring her eagerness and experience to help artists develop and grow through the auspices and support of Performance Space.

ABOUT NINA TROFIMOVA
Nina (she/her) is an experienced CFO / Head of Finance, with a passion for helping non-profits be the best they can be. She currently works as the outsourced CFO for a range of not-for-profits, providing financial leadership and delivering sound, strategic advice to senior management and Boards. Before this role, Nina managed Finance Functions for large non-profit organisations within the arts, culture and environmental sectors, including the Biennale of Sydney. With over 15 years of experience in the NFP sector, Nina has a deep understanding of industry-specific issues, including legislation, funding and reforms. Nina is a for-purpose person, deeply committed to making a difference. Her expertise has been recognised with the status of Fellow of CPA Australia (FCPA), she is also CA qualified and a Member of the Institute of Community Directors Australia. Nina dedicates her spare time to her family and volunteer work. She was a Chair of CPA Australia’s Not For Profit Committee, a Committee member of the CPA Women In Business Discussion Group and a Treasurer for NFPs in arts and Community Services.