Always at the meeting point between government, the arts and community for 30 years, Ant has gained a reputation as a dynamic and forward thinking artist, worker, producer, project developer, fund sourcing specialist and manager.

Previously Program Manager of Brisbane Multicultural Art Centre (BEMAC), overseeing programs at the Qld Multicultural Art Centre (QMC) and across the state, including Arts Queensland’s Regional Arts Services Network in Logan & Ipswich.

Previously he managed the $6.5 million Backing Indigenous Arts Initiative at Arts Queensland. He successfully advocated for the position to be made an Identified position for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and then moved to Partnership Managing for large areas of regional Queensland.

As Team Leader of Cultural Programs for Sunshine Coast Council, Ant oversaw the Caloundra Regional Gallery, Sunshine Coast Art Prize, Public Art, the Regional Art Development Fund (RADF) and significant creative and cultural industry development programs across the region. He worked to double the RADF budget by $100K, double applications to the Sunshine Coast Art Prize, and envisage and initiate the Horizon Festival of arts and culture. As well as growing Council’s reputation he worked tirelessly to support the growth in Council funding and support to local leadership body, the Sunshine Coast Creative Alliance, now a key creative organisation in SEQ.

Ant also previously led QMusic and brought the first swath of International guests to the BIGSOUND Music industry conference in 2005, transforming it into an internationally focused and internationally recognised event after working at the music organisation for six years.

Some other key highlights include:

· Developing and managing the state-wide A-Venue youth music initiative which ran for 13 years and developed some of Australia’s current top artists including Kate Miller Heidke

· Fund raiser for the well-respected Seed Fund (founded by renowned artist John Butler) for many years, speaking at the widely respected Seed Music Management Workshop in Katoomba annually for six years

· Touring nationally with his band Those Bloody McKennas and award nominated duo Alfanant for many years