MEET THE CEO
Samantha Cook is cross-artform practitioner, educator, arts manager and leader. A retired musician she was the Executive Producer of a leading Australian theatre company, Director of The Dreaming Festival and a programmer of the Woodford Folk Festival. Working with profiled artists within Australia, USA, New Caledonia and Reunion Island, Samantha was the recipient of a mentorship from the Australian Music Managers Association and supported by John Woodruff, whose credits include some of Australia's most significant Rock artists such as The Angels, Icehouse and Savage Garden.
Noted Appointments
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Sounds Australia 2022
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Australian Theatre Festival NYC 2021
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Artivist Entertainment 2020
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International Association of Blacks in Dance 2020
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California Arts Council assessor 2020
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Australians in Music (AMA) 2020
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United Stages 2019
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Arts QLD Grant assessor 2012–2018
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Regional arts development fund assessor (RADF QLD) 2016-2018
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Arts QLD Touring Funding Committee for 2012 – 2018
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Q-Music Awards – Judge & Presenter 2011-2018
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Director - Wantok Foundation 2012- 2015
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Further Arts, Board Member 2012- 2015
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Helpmann Awards - Judge 2010- 2013
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Advisor - Parliamentary Enquiry into Regional Arts 2006
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President, Youth Media Society of Western Australia, Groove FM 2006
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Committee Member, Perth International Arts Festival, literature committee 2004
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Aboriginal Arts Policy development committee 2002-2003
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Mentor, Australia Day Foundation 1999
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Registered Peer Advisor, Australia Council for the Arts 1999
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Board Member, ArtsWA, Aboriginal Arts Panel 1999-2001
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NAIDOC committee, National Focus 1998.
Notable Achievements
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Guest Speaker, UC Berkeley 2022
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Guest Speaker, Santa Barbara Zoo Aussie Walkabout Opening 2022
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Guest Speaker, Australian Theatre Festival, NYC 2021
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Guest Speaker Australian Consulate, LA 2021
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Guest Speaker, VCA 2021
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Guest Speaker, African Union HQ 2018
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Alumni investible tech-start ups 2017
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WOW Women of the World speaker 2015
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Founder, #SOSBLAKAUSTRALIA 2014
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Melbourne Business School – Murra Alumni 2014
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Australian Music Managers Association Awardee 2013
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Finalist, Deadly Awards 2013
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UK Arts Council Fellowship recipient 2011
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World Who’s Who of Women 15th Edition 2009
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Founder, Australia’s Blak History Month 2008
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Key Note Speaker Sorry Day London 2017
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UK Arts Council Fellowship recipient 2007
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Queen’s Baton Relay Runner - Commonwealth Games 2006
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Torch Bearer, Olympic Torch Relay, Australia, 2000
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Winner, National Aboriginal Youth of the Year NAIDOC 1999
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Finalist, Young Australian of the Year Awards, 1998.
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Winner, Broome Aboriginal artist of the year award, 1998.