Perth office

Pilar Kasat | Managing Director

I manage all the operations of CAN WA - providing leadership, mentoring and support to staff, as well as developing the direction of the organisation and securing its resources. I have been lucky to have the opportunity to assemble a team that I trust to deliver our vision.

In my role at CAN WA I have travelled widely within WA and assisted many communities and organisations with their cultural development plans. I especially love the work that we do with young people and Indigenous communities.

I am a committed advocate of the power of community arts and cultural development for community wellbeing, having presented widely at conferences and critical discussions on themes such as arts and health, multiculturalism, cultural identity and global sustainability. My appointment to the Board of the Chamber of Arts and Culture, the state's representative arts body, is further
expanding my advocacy role within the arts sector of WA.

My love for travel has taken me through Asia, South and Central America, Europe and Australia, and
continues to deepen my understanding of the relationship between culture, community healing
and wellbeing.

Jason Cleary | Operations Manager

My role involves administering and managing the operations and funding programs of CAN WA and its three offices. I keep an eye on the day to day happenings in the offices, making sure that everything runs smoothly.

The great part about working at CAN WA is being able to see communities benefit directly from the programs we deliver. Arts and culture are things that everybody should have access to. The work we do here is a major connection for many people into something that most of us take for granted. It's a great feeling to know that my work helps facilitate this process.

Ling Lee | Accountant

I currently work part-time at CAN WA ensuring that the organisation adheres to good financial management practices. CAN WA has a number of fund providers so my job is to keep track of money coming into and out of the various funding pools. I also provide timely and meaningful financial reports to the Board and funding bodies at the end of the financial year.

The working environment of CAN WA is inspiring – my colleagues are passionate and enthusiastic about their work, and supportive of one another. As an accountant I am proud that I can use my professional expertise to advance such a valuable and integral organisation as CAN WA.

annette Gohl | personal assistant to the managing director

Previously the part-time Administration Assistant at CAN WA, I have now evolved into the newly created position of Personal Assistant to the Managing Director, 4 days a week.

I provide support to our tireless Managing Director, Pilar, and try to make sure she has as little to worry about as possible!

It’s been a unique learning experience so far and I feel inspired to continue to work hard for such a great organisation.

zoe chua | administration and training officer

As Administration and Training Officer, I make up one third of a dynamic administration team that makes sure that everything flows smoothly in the office. My role also includes being the first point of contact for anyone interested in what we do, so I am lucky enough to be chatting to artists, arts workers and members on a daily basis. I am also of assistance to Monica, CAN WA's Training and Business Development Officer, where I provide her with administrative support while she works on developing our nationally recognised training programs.

After previously working in a variety of community, intercultural and cultural cooperation music projects in Perth and Barcelona, I am really excited to be part of WA's peak body for community arts and cultural development. Coming from a background in playing and teaching violin, I have experienced first-hand how the arts can foster self confidence, incite dialogue and create rapport with others, and look forward to assisting the team in making these opportunities accessible to the Perth community.

emma fletcher | communications and marketing coordinator

As the CAN WA Communications and Marketing Coordinator my role encompasses informing you of the many inspiring CAN WA projects and services, alongside the great breadth of community arts and cultural development practice occuring within WA and Australia.

I have recently moved to Perth from New Zealand, where I managed a creative space for artists with intellectual disabilities and completed an Arts Management degree, specialising in the potential for using art as a vehicle to develop education, community participation and wellbeing.

monica kane | training and business development manager

Within the new role of Training and Business Development Manager at CAN WA I hope to support and expand the innovative programs, which CAN WA currently delivers. As a Registered Training Organisation CAN WA provides nationally recognised training in community engagement and consultation, cultural mapping and planning, youth and Aboriginal engagement, community arts and event management.

I love the paradigm that CAN WA training takes place in. Using flexible and contextual modes our facilitators ensure the training works for the individual. I’m looking forward to working with the committed and fervent CAN WA team to further develop this model and its accessibility.

During the last eight years I’ve worked as a training consultant and recently completed an Arts and Social Science degree. As the Training and Business Development Manager at CAN WA I get to contribute my expertise and pursue my interests in arts and social justice with like-minded souls.

jill brown | funding manager

My role as Funding Manager at CAN WA involves coordinating specific projects or programs. I work on a part-time basis and have recently taken on the role of looking after the Catalyst funding program.  In addition, I am researching and developing a community arts training course to be delivered in the future.  I love the diversity and flexibility of my work at CAN WA.  On the funding side of things, I am privileged to come across a diverse range of community members from across the state.  I assist applicants with their applications, helping to hone community arts projects and develop applications that address the selection criteria.  Being able to follow the progression of these projects from their beginnings to when they hit the ground, and the positive impacts they have in their communities, is a rewarding part of my job.

Arts as a tool for community engagement, empowerment and transformation is what drives my interest in the arts.  Working at CAN WA, I get to play a role in helping to make this happen, while working alongside a great team who are equally as passionate about community arts.

simone ruane | funding manager

I have recently returned to CAN WA after taking some time out to raise my baby. Previous to that I worked at CAN WA for nearly five years on a range of different projects. I am currently working part time as the Funding Manager for Sharing Stories, a fund sponsored by Healthway to promote Relationships Australia ‘Make time to talk’ message.

Since my first involvement with CAN WA in 2006 I have watched the organisation evolve and grow significantly. Over this time however CAN WA’s commitment to social justice, wellbeing and creativity remains strong and continues to underpin all the work that is done. It is a privilege to work alongside a team of inspiring people who strive to make Western Australia a more equitable and vibrant place to live.

Sian Brown | Arts and Cultural Development Manager

My role as Arts and Cultural Development Manager involves facilitating arts and cultural programs within our key program areas of training and skills development. These program areas engage with young people, local government workers, community artists and cultural development workers and Indigenous communities.

I am passionate about using different artistic mediums as tools for transformation, and look forward to being part of creative projects that effect positive change in a fun and innovative ways.

nicola davison | project coordinator

Starting out as the Administration and Funding Officer, the encouragement and support of CAN WA has provided me with the opportunity to progress into the role of Project Coordinator. In this position I work directly with our Narrogin office, to support and manage arts and cultural development projects across the Southern Wheatbelt. 
 

With a degree in Arts Management, and a passion for film and digital storytelling, my focus at CAN WA is to facilitate and coordinate arts based programs that give a voice to regional communities. Working within this inspiring environment, I am given the chance to create and nurture projects that tell the story of both the individual, and their community.

Ivy Penny | Strategic and Cultural Development Manager

My role at CAN WA is varied and involves working with communities to explore cultural development opportunities, strategic partnerships and capacity building initiatives. I’m often out and about and get to meet some great people, listen to what is inspirational about their place and together build opportunities for community celebration. 
 
What inspires me about the work that CAN WA undertakes is the strong values which underpin every aspect of our work and the capacity community cultural development has to build real strength, esteem, a genuine appreciation of community and a heartfelt connection to place.

natalie scholtz | training and skills development officer

In my part time commitment to CAN WA, my responsibilities are divided between delivering training, and facilitating workshops to youth within metro and rural areas of WA. I will also work alongside Monica (CAN WA's Training and Skills Development Manager) in developing our pilot program of Cultural Mapping and Community Governance with the Gnaala Karla Booja guys doing some cultural mapping in the South West with the Noongar communities.

michelle white | aboriginal arts and cultural development manager

As the Manager of Aboriginal Arts and Cultural Development, I see my role at CAN WA as helping to promote the strength and diversity of Aboriginal culture through grass roots artistic programs. Prior to joining CAN WA I was the Chief Executive Officer of 100.9fm Noongar Radio – Perth’s only Aboriginal radio station. My background is predominantly in the media (ABC TV News Perth, The 7.30 Report, Australian Story, Message Stick, Triple J) however I have always been a passionate supporter of arts and culture. I spent three years working for Yirra Yaakin Aboriginal Theatre Company and I currently serve as a Director on the Board. I’m also the Indigenous representative on the Screenwest Board. I look forward to being involved in CAN WA programs that empower the community and help promote real change.