Our People

Kim de Kretser is a highly accomplished creative director, producer, curator, and artist with over two decades of experience in the arts and cultural sector. Her extensive background as a creative strategist has allowed her to guide stakeholders and lead multidisciplinary teams, engaging artists, scientists, thought leaders, and communities in curated collaborations across various disciplines.

With a deep understanding of artistic direction, transdisciplinary projects, curation, programming and creative production, Kim has developed and delivered an impressive array of public art exhibitions, events, festivals, and cultural programs encompassing all art forms. Her expertise spans working with local and state governments, philanthropic organisations, corporate partners, universities, and arts institutions.

Throughout her career, Kim has demonstrated a commitment to innovation and community engagement. Her passion for partnerships and innovative audience platforms, combined with her multi-disciplinary approach, has led her to creatively direct large-scale experimental public art projects for organisations such as Experimenta, the City of Knox, RMIT University, and LAGI (Land Art Generator Initiative). Kim has also founded and developed several arts platforms, including threeOclock Gallery (2016) and Arts for a Cause (2005-2010). Additionally, she ran her own arts event business, Peak Events, from 2000 to 2012.

With her extensive expertise in creative direction, curation, and project management, combined with a deep passion for art, technology, and societal impact, Kim de Kretser continues to make significant contributions to the cultural landscape, fostering interdisciplinary collaborations and driving the exploration of contemporary ideas through cutting-edge art forms and tools.

Jeannie has worked and been involved in the Arts for almost two decades, both in Aotearoa/New Zealand and Naarm/Melbourne. Focusing on Public Space, her work seeks to create inclusive and engaging spaces that reach beyond typical arts audiences. She is particularly interested in the arts as a tool for social inclusion and education, sparking great conversation and bringing joy to public space.

Jeannie has a BA(hons) in Art History (Victoria University, Wellington) and Masters of Curating (University of Melbourne). Her professional career has spanned both public and private creative institutions including Te Papa Tongawera, Parliamentary Library of New Zealand, Red Gallery and Arts Centre Melbourne. Most recently she has worked in Local Government in Creative Placemaking, with a focus on neighbourhood renewal and commissioning site responsive public art for civic spaces.

Lubi Thomas is an experienced curator working in the field of digital/new media arts and associate practice areas. In the past decade, she has developed and delivered an extensive range of exhibitions, projects, festivals, events, residencies and mentoring programs, as well as, public and education focused programming. Site-responsiveness is a key element in her practice, working closely with artists, creative technologist, and their collaborators to produce works and cultural experiences for a variety of audiences. Lubi’s master’s Curating in Uncharted Territories proposes a methodology for cultural programming development and sustainability for sites engaged in the display of, and engagement with, experimental creative practice.

Lubi takes a networked and site-responsive approach to programme structures, audience engagement, and partnership development. She has developed cultural programming frameworks for The Cube Brisbane, Creative Industries Precinct QUT, and Qld State Library.  Lubi has developed key partnerships with LEGO Education, Ars Electronica, FACT Liverpool, EMARE, and the Australia Council for the Arts to support these programming sites.  Lubi wears many hats with her key activities being as an Independent Curator and Artist, Experimenta’s Curator @ Large and curatorial advisor to Digital Placemaking Institute. Lubi works and consults locally, nationally and internationally.

Jo commenced her accounting career with Ernst & Young Chartered Accountants (E&Y), after completing a Bachelor of Commerce at University of Melbourne.
After leaving E&Y to travel, Jo returned to Melbourne and worked in financial positions with a number of advertising agencies including George Patterson Bates. Jo then took up a role as Business and Finance Manager with art gallery and consultancy, Australian Art Resources (AAR). After returning from maternity leave, Jo managed AAR’s art rental business, The Art Trust, before joining the Experimenta team in 2006.

Santana is a digital marketer, content strategist, and freelance writer with over 15 years’ experience crafting content that educates, entertains, and inspires. She can be found doing anything from running a large international content team or developing campaign messaging to writing punchy web copy or sharpening a social media strategy.

She has worked in content and marketing for some of Australia’s biggest brands – including Jetstar and Australian Unity – and has contracted with digital agencies across Australia and Europe specialising in SEO, content marketing, and content creation.

Over the years, Santana has developed an appreciation for the positive impact of customer-focused storytelling in marketing contexts. While specialising in content, she is a skilled marketing all-rounder. In fact, she considers being a marketing all-rounder as her superpower when it comes to creating content.

Throughout her career, she’s also had a side-hustle freelancing in the arts sector, developing content for – and providing marketing support to – actors, musicians, music venues, and not-for-profit arts and music organisations across countless projects.

Santana believes that storytelling, in all its forms, has the power to build a better world – something she plans to keep working towards one project at a time.