Patrick Morgan | Chair

Patrick Morgan is a communications and engagement specialist with a background in the arts and events space. Leading the ACT Communications and Engagement practice at AECOM, he drives innovative strategies to connect with stakeholders and communities on major projects across Australia. At the Property Council of Australia Patrick led communications and membership engagement for the ACT Division. As founder of Blahnket, Patrick enriched Canberra’s arts scene by curating events featuring internationally acclaimed producers alongside local musicians and visual artists, which activated unique and unlikely spaces. His expertise in community engagement, project management, sponsorship and fundraising supports M16’s vision for a vibrant, inclusive arts community. 

Lisa Wilmot | Treasurer

Lisa Wilmot is an emerging artist with 30 years of experience in the Commonwealth public service. Working across institutions such as the National Museum of Australia and Parliament House and in the Environment and Employment portfolios, she has executive leadership expertise in strategy and operations for finance, human resources, building management, front-of-house, legal services, business continuity, risk management, events, and catering contracts. She holds a 1989 Bachelor of Arts (Accounting), University of Canberra and a 2025 Bachelor of Visual Arts (Honours), Australian National University. 

Lisa believes a strong and inclusive cultural sector plays a vital role in enriching the society in which it exists. It contributes significantly to the wellbeing and cohesion of its community, offering opportunities for engagement, expression, and connection. 
 
In her own art practice, Lisa explores hard edged abstraction and the materiality of the painting process, producing works with evocative and unique surface qualities. Looking outward to natural and urban environments, she reimagines them in abstract and exaggerated forms, attempting to portray fleeting light and other atmospheric effects and contrasting emotional states. 

Rebecca Scott | Secretary

Rebecca is a Director at Brindabella Project Management, a Canberra-based client-side project management and advisory firm focused on delivering positive outcomes through the built environment. With a background in Architecture and Interior Architecture from the University of Canberra, Rebecca brings a strong design-led approach to project delivery, stakeholder engagement, and strategic thinking across community, education, healthcare, and government projects. 

Rebecca began her career at the Property Council of Australia, where she developed a strong understanding of advocacy, industry engagement, and the importance of shaping positive outcomes for the broader community. She is also a committee member of the Design Institute of Australia and a tutor at the University of Canberra, where she is passionate about supporting the next generation of designers and built environment professionals. 

As a mother of two, Rebecca is invested in Canberra’s future and is passionate about contributing to organisations and initiatives that strengthen the city’s creative, cultural, and community landscape. 

Aaron Crowe

Aaron Crowe is a live music booker and promoter based in Canberra. He developed his passion for music and the arts after moving to the ACT in 2013, attending shows at The Phoenix and discovering artists like TV Colours.  

Aaron’s career in the arts industry began in 2022 at the iconic Canberra live music venue and nightclub, sideway, where he played a pivotal role in nurturing both emerging and established local talent. Working closely with artists and members of the Canberra DIY scene, he also brought renowned acts from underground music scenes across Australia and internationally to the city. 

Following sideway’s closure in 2024, Aaron continues to book and promote independent, punk, underground, and countercultural music events through Sonic Business Ltd, working across a variety of live music venues in Canberra. In addition to his promotional work, Aaron is the Program Manager at MusicACT and plays bass in the latest iteration of the unstoppable Canberra power-pop band, New Age Group. 

With a strong commitment to fostering Canberra’s vibrant scene and building sustainable communities, Aaron is dedicated to supporting the local arts community and its continued growth. 

Amelia Zaraftis

Amelia Zaraftis is an executive leader, fundraiser, educator, artist and reconciliation advocate living on Ngunnawal Ngambri Country. As the Director of Advancement at Burgmann College, a not-for-profit residential college on the ANU campus, Amelia leads the College's alumni engagement, communications and fundraising programs, and champions the College's reconciliation program. At the ANU School of Art and Design Amelia co-leads the ArtsACT funded Sharing Stories Arts Exchange program which facilitates artists engagement with First Nations communities in Canberra and surrounds. Amelia has a background in museum & gallery education (CMAG and the NGA) and 22 months experience as the Acting Principal (CEO) of Burgmann College, where she was involved in all aspects of the College's governance and re-opened the College during the pandemic. In 2018 Amelia was a co-recipient of the ANU Vice Chancellor‘s Award for Reconciliation. From 2022-2024 Amelia was a Member of the GMAG Advisory Committee. Amelia holds a Bachelor of Visual Arts (First Class Honours) from the ANU and a Bachelor of Education from the University of Canberra. 

Ruth Ormella

Ruth is a Town Planner and passionate about places and people, building sustainable communities and getting the foundations right.  The golden thread she weaves brings quality design outcomes, sustainability, the environment and adaptation to climate change.  Along with experience at an executive level in local government,  she is adept at balanced decision making and well practiced in good governance. 

Planning with purpose and outcomes in mind, Ruth enables the organisations she works with to achieve their strategic vision through to delivery.  Her work, connecting and collaborating with others, brings an outcome focus to the M16 Board. 

Tara James

Tara James is an experienced arts manager with over a fifteen years’ experience working in National Cultural Institutions in conservation, registration, and exhibitions roles. Tara has worked and studied within the arts for over 25 years in a wide variety of roles. 

She is currently the Senior Exhibitions Project Coordinator at The National Portrait Gallery of Australia and manages their extensive touring exhibitions program.  

With an academic history in Visual Arts, Museum Practise and Arts and Cultural Management she has exceptional arts administration skills, broad project management experience and a deep understanding of working with small and regional galleries.  

Tara is committed to improving accessibility to cultural experiences, artist led practises and fostering arts communities through dynamic periods growth and change. 

Katherine Buchanan | Tenant Representative

Katherine is a published poet, visual artist and the current President of the Artists Society of Canberra (ASOC), which celebrates its centenary in 2027.  She has represented ASOC on the M16 Studio & Workshop Artist Group (SWAG) for a number of years.   

 Katherine enjoys exploring different mediums, including acrylic, printmaking, soft pastel and watercolour.  Her art is inspired by what is happening in her own life, and in the world more broadly. The natural environment and issues impacting it inspire both her visual art and poetry.   

 Since discovering the value of artist residencies, Katherine has created work in Tasmania, Italy, Scotland and Morocco.  She is excited for another opportunity in Spain later this year, noting that the immersive experience that residencies offer assists in her creative work. 

 Katherine is excited have to opportunity to join the M16 Board. 

M16 Artspace Annual Reports