Katy McKeown
Melbourne
Summary
specialisationI am an experienced performing arts leader, manager, and teacher with a specialization in dance education and work experience across music and general curricula in government (VPS 6), arts, schools, and tertiary institutions. I have a history of overseeing performing arts curriculum development and assessment in pre-tertiary, tertiary, and vocational institutions. I have also led education departments in national performing arts companies spanning the United Kingdom, China, Australia, and Asia. Record of accomplishment of promoting fruitful dialogue to enable complex programs, curricula, research, and policy development in settings and institutions like the Sydney Opera House, the Australian Ballet, the University of Melbourne, the Scottish Ballet, and the Beijing Dance Academy. I have many years of experience in securing partnerships, effectively managing stakeholders, collaborating in multifaceted teams, and using data and policy to inform and innovate practice. A thought leader in dance, arts, and cultural competency. My doctoral studies in the use of First Nations ontologies aim to enhance engagement and equity in the arts (such as Kaupapa Māori and 8 Ways) and support my passion for equity and curriculum.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
Work History
MANAGER PROGRAMS AND EVALUATION (AFTER-HOURS and VOCATIONAL)
Department Of Justice And Community (Cherry Creek)
05.2023 - 02.2024
- In this role, I led strategic and financial management of the after-hours arts and sports programmes, aligning them with the broader curriculum goals and educational outcomes outlined by the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA)
- Directed after-hours vocational pathways education programmes (1.2 million) in partnership with Parkville College and TAFE, ensuring they met the standards and requirements set forth by VCAA and relevant educational bodies
- Embedded child-safe policy across the precinct (three hundred Youth Justice staff) and external providers, adhering to government regulations
- Devised and delivered evaluations of precinct-wide program outcomes, utilising data and metrics to assess the effectiveness and impact of the programmes in line with VCAA's and Justice's assessment frameworks.
- Achieved departmental goals by developing and executing strategic plans and performance metrics.
- Facilitated successful cross-functional collaborations for the completion of key projects, fostering strong working relationships among team members.
LECTURER DANCE /INTERDISCIPLINARY
Victorian College Of Arts University Of Melbourne
08.2021 - 04.2022
- In this role, I coordinated and taught dance and humanities subjects on the BFA course, including developing and managing curricula, assessments, courses, and students
- Key achievements: benchmarking the BFA course against international models and developing the Capstone BFA module for the BFA final year, aligned to progressions from VCE Dance.
- Promoted collaboration among students through group projects and presentations, fostering teamwork and communication skills.
- Evaluated student progress through regular assessments, providing detailed feedback for improvement and growth.
- Developed strong relationships with colleagues, collaborating on curriculum development and sharing best practices in teaching strategies.
HEAD OF EDUCATION & OUTREACH
The Australian Ballet
04.2015 - 09.2021
- I managed stakeholders, business cases and proposals as well as reporting and compliance requirements, ensuring the capture of key metrics to support future ases for funding and partnerships
- And align to the Australian Curriculum
- I was responsible for strategic planning and leading a team of 8 to deliver an annual program of 800,000 p.a
- Expenditure
- I managed stakeholders, business cases and proposals as well as reporting and compliance requirements, ensuring the capture of key metrics to support future cases for funding and partnerships
- Additionally, I supported the introduction of VCE dance to five schools in Shepparton over s as part of the Better Together Alliance
- This involved providing teacher inset days and online resources, contributing to the successful implementation of VCE dance in these schools and highlighting my ability to support educational initiatives in line with the VCAA's objectives
- I grew participants from 9000 to 40,000 per annum in over sixty communities over 6 years, increased key sponsorships from 300k to 800k over 5 years, personally secured over $2m in funding over 6 years, and tendered and established a research partnership with La Trobe University to measure value
- I created the First Nations People Internship and Choreographic Commission Programs, valued at 500,000 AUD per year, aimed at advancing reconciliatory industry pathways for young First Nations performing arts graduates
- These initiatives not only demonstrate a commitment to diversity and inclusion but also promote Indigenous perspectives and participation in the performing arts.
ARTS & CULTURE COORDINATOR
Maribyrnong Council
04.2013 - 04.2015
- I led the delivery of the latent Arts Strategy to develop effective strategies that align with the Council’s goals and values, enriching performances and public art, aligning programming of the Bluestone Venue, maximising growth within the Arts and Culture
- This involved managing the daily operations of an Arts & Culture Department, which consisted of five employees and a budget of $850,000, seven organisations and venues that received major grant funding, a public art program and an open grants and funding stream
- Key achievements, including aligned department structure through change management to meet Council’s KPIs
- Secured $100,000 of funding for innovative programs through grants and partnerships (Metro Trains, Victoria University, Australia Rail and Track & Arts Access) to fund Street Works Graffiti Arts (Department of Justice) and delivered major and minor capital venue works programs within budget across three sites aligned to community and place values (Bluestone Church/Living Museum Bluestone venue and FCAC review).
DANCE OFFICER/PROJECT MANAGER
Creative Scotland
10.2009 - 02.2013
- In the role at Creative Scotland, the public body for culture and arts in Scotland and independent advisory arm to the Scottish Government, I collaborated with local authorities, artists, art organisations, venues, and the wider public to manage national projects
- I also managed professional, organisational and community grant funding streams, as well as policy and research initiatives aimed at supporting cultural development and leveraging resources
- Key achievements include launching a weeklong program in six cities that attracted 500,000 participants, demonstrating the ability to organise large-scale cultural events with significant public engagement
- Developing a partnership between Chinese contemporary artists and the British Council to promote tourism and art partnerships, showcasing the capacity to foster international collaborations that benefit Scotland's cultural landscape
- Developing a program for the Shanghai Expo to showcase Scottish artists, indicating the ability to create strategic opportunities for Scottish artists to gain international exposure
- Leading the Dance & Disability Strategy 2009, which enabled the delivery of a National Strategy valued at £2 million, demonstrated expertise in developing and implementing strategies that promote inclusivity in the arts
- Managed seven partnership evaluations across the London Olympic program for the government and sponsors, showcasing proficiency in evaluating complex program with multiple stakeholders and interests.
EDUCATION DIRECTOR
Ydance
- In this role, devised and implemented a national for-profit program of workshops and performances in schools, prisons, and the community sector
- This program included designing digital resources for teachers and was conducted in partnership with Sports Scotland, requiring the coordination of a team of 20 artists
- This initiative aligned with the responsibility for managing national projects and grant funding streams to support cultural development
- Additionally, I developed a youth program called 'Under the Same Sky,' aimed at increasing engagement in marginalised communities
- This initiative reflected my commitment to community engagement and leveraging cultural resources to promote inclusivity and diversity.
- Enhanced curriculum quality by collaborating with faculty and staff to develop innovative educational programs.
- Streamlined program operations by managing budgets, allocating resources, and overseeing staff performance evaluations.
- Built strong relationships with community partners to secure funding and resources for new initiatives and programs.
- Led professional development training for teachers on best practices in instruction, assessment, and classroom management.
Education
Ph.D. - Dance Education And First Nations
07.2024
Masters of Teaching - Dance
06.2012
Post Graduate Certificate of Education - Dance Education And Science
06.2010
Bachelor of Arts - Dance Theatre
06.1996
Skills
- Special Education
- Student Engagement
- Cultural Competency
- Teacher Training
- Educational Leadership
- Performance Assessment
- Learning Strategies
- Policy Implementation
- Curriculum Assessment
- Budget Management
- Project Management
- Data Analysis
- Curriculum Development
- Program Evaluation
- Grant Writing
- Curricular Implementation
- Programme Management
- Instructional Design
- Strategic Planning
Accomplishments
Australia Centre Scholarship for Indigenous-Settler Program
Board Service
- NSW Education Standards Board
- AMPAG Performing Arts Committee
- ACARA consultation board (on behalf of The Australian Ballet)
- City of Melbourne Arts Committee
- Australia Council Art Panel
- Brimbank Council Art Advisory Board
- Western Partnership Arts Group
Training
- Restorative Practice
- Transgender
- Sudanese Cutural Training
- VPS procurement
- VPS finance and oracle
- VPS core induction training
- DISC for Managers
- PRINCE2 Project Management
- Indigenous mental health
- Child Protection
- Equalities and Equity
- Negotiating Difficult Situations: An Appraisal and Review
- Production, Touring, and Health and Safety
- Cultural Protocols
- Ethics in Research
- Leadership and Management
- Indigenous-Settler Scholar Program
- Finance
- Procurement
- Tessitura, DAISE, Microsoft Teams, Zoom
- JIRA, Microsoft Project, Office
Timeline
MANAGER PROGRAMS AND EVALUATION (AFTER-HOURS and VOCATIONAL) - Department Of Justice And Community (Cherry Creek)
05.2023 - 02.2024
LECTURER DANCE /INTERDISCIPLINARY - Victorian College Of Arts University Of Melbourne
08.2021 - 04.2022
HEAD OF EDUCATION & OUTREACH - The Australian Ballet
04.2015 - 09.2021
ARTS & CULTURE COORDINATOR - Maribyrnong Council
04.2013 - 04.2015
DANCE OFFICER/PROJECT MANAGER - Creative Scotland
10.2009 - 02.2013
EDUCATION DIRECTOR - Ydance
University of Melbourne - Ph.D., Dance Education And First Nations
University of Surrey - Masters of Teaching, Dance
University of Edinburgh - Post Graduate Certificate of Education, Dance Education And Science
Trinity Laban Conservatoire - Bachelor of Arts, Dance Theatre
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