Staff

Caroline Downer is the Tuggeranong Arts Centre’s CEO.  She has over 30 years’ experience in the arts sector – most recently as Executive Director of Arts North West and previously as Director of the New England Regional Art Museum in Armidale. She is committed to community arts organisations and is interested in a broad range of the arts, from visual arts and film to music. She has coordinated large regional music festivals and has served on a number of arts committees including the NSW State Government Classical Music Artform Advisory Board and as a peer reviewer for the Australia Council for the Arts.  Caroline holds a B.Mus (Hons) (Music Performance), B.A.(Hons) (Fine Arts) and a Master of Arts Honours in Museum Studies from The University of Melbourne. In 2020, Caroline was awarded a Medal in the Order of Australia for services to performing and visual arts.

Caroline Wall, better known as Leena, is the Artistic Director of Fresh Funk. Caroline “Leena” Wall initiated the Tuggeranong Arts Centre’s “Fresh Funk” program in the year 2000, introducing hip-hop style classes to the ACT for the first time. Leena has a long history of dance training in various styles for (over 25years), as well as an Honours degree in English and Drama and her dance teaching qualifications from QUT. As the Fresh Funk program grew, Leena was nominated as Young Australian of the Year for her ground-breaking work in the dance community. Leena is known across the ACT and beyond as a pioneer of Canberra’s dance scene, working consistently with schools and other organisations to consult and teach. Leena travels annually overseas to train in LA, New York and/or Japan, and has performed in pieces by Tricia Miranda, Tony Tzar, Andre Fuentes, Matt Steffanina and many others.

Roger coordinates the implementation of the Messengers program and supervises staff who provide the art classes and support. He works closely with the program’s social worker who supports vulnerable young people in the program and the professional artists who act as tutors, to deliver the sessions within the program aims and guidelines. Roger is responsible for collating data, notes and outcome reports to assist in measuring the effectiveness of program and in identifying gaps which may need to be filled. He also works with to actively develop relationships with other organisations and program providers who support vulnerable young people.

Kelsey has been with the Tuggeranong Arts Centre since 2015 and as youth support worker for the Messengers Program she is responsible for engaging and supporting young people through the program. Kelsey is currently completing her Master of Psychology at the University of New England. In Messengers, Kelsey works creatively to engage young people back into their communities, build support networks, address challenges, and encourage young people to reach their goals. Kelsey is passionate about working with and empowering young people who experience mental health issues to reach their goals and she appreciates the powerful positive impacts that the arts have on personal wellbeing and mental health recovery. 

Cassidy is a highly motivated marketing professional with over 20 years’ experience in Federal Government, not-for-profit and private sectors, and 8+ years in arts marketing. Her role at TAC covers everything from managing media relations, to copy writing, photography, and graphic design. She enjoys producing and publishing content and takes pride in her work developing and delivering culturally appropriate, accurate and targeted communications. She loves the challenge of achieving sell out audiences and running a dynamic multifaceted marketing campaign on a shoestring budget. Before working at TAC, Cassidy spent seven years as a Public Affairs Officer in the Australian Public Service working on national campaigns and major events. She holds a Bachelor of Communication and Advanced Diploma of Graphic Design.  

With many years’ experience working in the arts and finance Peter’s analytical skills and easygoing approach are an asset to the Tuggeranong Arts Centre.

Tom Buckland is a practicing artist that has worked at the Tuggeranong Arts Centre in several roles over the last few years. Bringing his creativity and practical knowledge to the team, Tom has been involved in many projects including decorating spaces, installing exhibitions and also exhibiting his own work at TAC.  Alongside this, Tom works at our front of house on weekends and assists TAC with events.

A Rebecca joined the TAC team in mid 2019 after returning to Canberra to study. She has worked in a variety of areas including at Front of house, events and with the CACD program. Since graduating with a degree in graphic design, she has been supporting Cassidy with developing promotional goods for the centre and keeping TAC up to date on social media.

A born and bred Canberran, Ann McMahon’s has worked passionately in Canberra arts for more than 20 years in private, government and not for profit roles. A practicing visual artist with a love of textiles, Ann creates works ranging in scale from small wearables to utilitarian baskets and wall pieces through to large outdoor sculptures. She believes that art is good for the soul and has seen arts experiences touch and even change lives. Her recent working life has been dedicated not only to helping artists to realise their dreams, but to promoting access and growing community and individual engagements with the arts. She continues the mission at Tuggeranong Arts as Exhibitions and Public Program Manager and welcomes inquiries.

Thomas is the first face you will see as you walk into the Arts Centre. He is in the Front of House position this year after graduating from Lake Tuggeranong College in 2022. He has a passion for visual arts and live theatre. He believes in the power of collaboration through all art forms. He holds this belief through personal experience in helping run local productions throughout his schooling and he has been a part of the Tuggeranong Community Council putting his voice forward on behalf of the young people of Tuggeranong since 2020.