Music Victoria announces Simone Schinkel as chief executive

Simone Schinkel is the new CEO of Music Victoria.

With effect from 8th March, International Women’s Day, Schinkel takes the top job having served at Theatre Network Australia, most recently as General Manager.

During her time at the organisation, she established a national alliance of arts industry councils to provide a national advocacy platform.

A veteran arts administrator, Schinkel holds a Master of Arts and Cultural Management, a Bachelor of Fine Arts in technical production, is an alumni of the Australia Council’s Emerging Leaders Development Program and Co-convenor of the Arts Industry Council of Victoria.

“In Simone we have found the person to lead our organisation and sector through its next critical stage,” comments Music Victoria Chair Sally Howland.

Ella Hooper & Fallas Frasca at Victorian Music Awards

Schinkel takes the reins at the most challenging of times for the trade body and its members.

Her appointment by the Music Victoria Board coincides with the lifting of a five-day “circuit breaker” lockdown across Victoria, though some restrictions that impact the live industry, including capacity limits on venues, remain in place.

Melbourne, widely regarded as Australia’s “culture capital” and the beating heart of the independent music community, has endured three crippling lockdowns in less than 12 months.

“COVID 19 has decimated our industry and Simone is absolutely the right person to drive our sector back to growth,” Howland continues.

“Her astute thinking and demonstrated abilities at capacity building gives the Music Victoria Board every confidence that she will be an ardent advocate on behalf of our membership, our stakeholders and our wider music community. We’re thrilled to have her at the helm.”

Schinkel succeeds Patrick Donovan, the trade body’s inaugural CEO who departed earlier this year after a decade in the role.

A former journalist, Donovan was appointed as MV’s very first CEO back in August 2010.

In recent months, Dale Packard has been tasked with steering the organisation. On 8th March, Packard steps into the position as General Manager.

This article originally appeared on The Industry Observer, which is now part of The Music Network.