Tapp Coutts steps up while Godinymayin searches for new CEO

Toni Tapp Coutts has stepped up as as Interim Chief Executive Officer of the organisation while the search for a new CEO takes place, with applications due to close on August 22. She has stepped down as chairman of the GYRACC board while taking up the interim position.

Ms Tapp Couts, also a board member of the Katherine Regional Cultural Precinct Ltd, replaces current Godinymayin CEO, Jessica Powter, who has returned to the Government sector.

"During the stewardship of Ms Powter, we have achieved significant growth doubling the number of shows, exhibitions, venue hires and have exceeded previous years visitor numbers," Ms Tapp Coutts said.

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"Through the gallery and retail store, the Godinymayin has focussed on selling local and regional arts products, which has resulted in a significant increase in income for the artists in the region.

"Over the next five years, we are focused on making a strategic shift to improve sustainability."

Ms Tapp Coutts said the centre was looking for a CEO who was a good business manager and if they had an arts background that would be a bonus.

"Having some cultural experience across any culture that is different to mainstream Australia would also be great," said.

Godinymayin is the premier arts and culture centre and meeting facility for the Big Rivers Region, with a busy calendar of events, local and national touring acts, exhibitions, meetings and conferences.

"Whoever takes on this job will be in a good position with a great team of people to just hit the ground running," Ms Tapp Coutts said.

"Our key objective is a reinvigorated business model with strategies and targets to expand our revenue streams, increasing community and industry engagement, and ensure creative and cultural diversity of events and exhibitions."

Part of that will be the $4.5 million refurbishment and modernisation of the centre funded by the State government, with further details of the plan, including design, to be announced shortly.

The long-term aim is to make Godinymayin a recognised state and nation-leading facility for culture and arts.

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"Our vision is big because we know we have a very unique product, we live in a very unique part of the world and we will market that and showcase it and our place in the world, in arts and culture," she said.

That plan will build on the centre as an inclusive and diverse place, with a large part of that - and the new CEO's role - being community engagement.

"We have unique little exhibitions from our regional art centers, unique in their own ways and their styles are so different," she said.

"The techniques on the east side of Katherine are so different from the west, in art and storytelling.

"This is an exciting opportunity for an inspirational leader with a commercial mindset and a passion for art and culture to drive the organisation's strategic vision and long-term success."

For more details on the CEO position, go to gyracc.org.au/position-vacant-ceo.

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