our board

our board

Our Board and Patrons are dedicated to supporting arts and cultural initiatives for Australian and International artists, participants and markets.

JOHN HENDERSON - CHAIR

John Henderson assumed the role of The Corridor Project - Chair in 2024. John’s long term commitment to the arts sector in Australia brings a depth of experience and knowledge to our organisation. John is currently the Chief Financial Officer of Bell Shakespeare located in Sydney NSW, Australia. We’re excited in having John lead the future direction of The Corridor Project, and look forward to sharing this vision.

TONY BROOKS - COMPANY SECRETARY

Tony Brooks is a lawyer, advisor, great listener, and courageously one of the longest co-serving TCP Board members. Tony is a member of Coleman Greig’s Commercial Law Team. Tony has extensive experience acting for large property owners and working with company Directors on a range of governance issues. Throughout his career he’s worked with clients across a wide range of industries including property & development, IT, professional services, hospitality, retail and healthcare. Tony has dual degrees in Law and Economics and founded his own Firm, Surry Partners Lawyers, before joining Coleman Greig. In addition to his role at Coleman Greig, Tony is actively involved in his community with a number of pro bono and charitable organisations and was the lead instigator of The Corridor Project Constitution.

DYLAN GOWER - OPERATIONS

Dylan Gower is an architect and bioenergy design strategist. Dylan is a co-founder of The Corridor Project and oversees facilities, event management, and administration pro-bono. Dylan advocates for ecological sustainable development, applying its principles to urban and regional environments. In practice for over twenty-five years and utilising the process of design thinking, Dylan continues to explore new models in creating transformative environmental and social impact initiatives. With a key focus on regionality, Dylan was awarded a Churchill fellowship in 2018 researching “Designing local initiatives exploring place-made development within regional communities.” Since 2013, Dylan has been the lead facilitator in developing the CLEAN Cowra project, transitioning a regional town in central west NSW, to a low carbon economy through a framework assessing biomass and how circular economic structures can be achieved through cross-sector, collaborative ventures.

PHOEBE COWDERY - CREATIVE PRODUCER + CURATOR

Phoebe Cowdery is a Creative Producer and Curator based in Central West NSW, with over 30 years’ experience in the arts, culture, and design sectors. She trained at the National Art School, Sydney, and the University of Technology Sydney, and is a co-founder and Board Member of The Corridor Project, a not-for-profit arts and cultural organisation.

Phoebe’s work focuses on cross-sector and cross-cultural partnerships, bringing together artists, scientists, environmentalists, First Nations peoples, and local communities through residencies, exhibitions, workshops, and large-scale public programs.

As Creative Producer of The Corridor Project, she supports artists and communities through innovative approaches to STEAM education, science communication, and sustainable program delivery, with practice informed by environmental, social, and historical themes, including eco-practice, regional landscapes, habitat, climate, and human impact.

In addition to her work at TCP, Phoebe serves as Convenor of the Orange Cowra Cabonne Science Hub and is a member of the Inspiring Australia NSW Executive Committee, contributing to the advancement of science engagement and creative industries across New South Wales.

ALESHIA LONSDALE - FIRST NATION ADVISORY

Aleshia Lonsdale is a proud Wiradjuri woman based Mudgee in Central Western NSW. As the Aboriginal Arts Development Officer for Arts OutWest and Director of The Corridor Project, she sees the arts not only a vehicle for intergenerational cultural transmission but also as a tool which allows the audience to view the world through a First Nations lens. Aleshia is a multidisciplinary artist, curator and arts worker based in regional New South Wales (NSW). Aleshia is an alumnus of the National Gallery of Australia’s (NGA) Wesfarmers Indigenous Leadership Program, and current Chairperson of the Mudgee Local Aboriginal Land Council. Currently Aleshia is a participant in the Creative Australia Custodianship program. Aleshia has collaborated on numerous programs with The Corridor Project as curator, artist, cultural advisor and educator.

JENNIFER FINIKIOTIS - FINANCIAL AND TAX ADVISOR

Jennifer Finikiotis is a partner of Sydney Accountants Finikiotis & Father and outgoing Chair of The Corridor Project. Jennifer currently advises The Corridor Project Board on financial and tax issues pro bono. Jennifer was the lead instigator in successfully gaining DGR status for The Corridor Project in 2024.

LUCY STRANGER - CURATORIAL ADVISOR

Lucy Stranger is Deputy Editor of Artist Profile. Lucy lives and works in the central west of NSW, she is interested in cultivating meaningful engagement of ideas in the visual arts both within Australia and Internationally. Lucy has curated and written articles involving international exhibitions and residencies in rural areas including curating 'Eyes on Australia' for international photography festival, Eyes on Main Street in North Carolina, which toured to China for the Pingyao International Photography Festival in 2019. Additionally in 2018-2019 Lucy was a curatorial fellow at ACRE Projects in which she worked with artists at a residency program in rural Wisconsin, and then exhibited their work in Chicago. Lucy has written for Artist Profile and Art Almanac. We look forward to Lucy contributing on an advisory level to our program.

PAUL MASON - GRANTS AND PERFORMANCE PROGRAM ADVISOR

Paul Masson is an experienced senior executive specialising in the arts and cultural industries, having worked in the commercial, not for profit and government sectors. Paul was the Director of Music at the Australia Council for the Arts, the federal government’s arts funding and advisory authority. Before the Australia Council he worked in broadcasting, establishing the Amrap the Australian Music Radio Airplay Project, managing the community radio satellite service, and working in the technology division of the ABC. He’s also worked in live events programming festivals and venues. He’s held voluntary roles as a board member of FBi 94.5 during its campaign for a full time licence, as Chair of Music NSW, and as a director of the Music Council of Australia. As a new Board Member we look forward to Paul contributing on an advisory level to our program that supports artists, community and audiences.

OUTGOING BOARD MEMBER - LORRAINE KYPIOTIS

Lorraine Kypiotis is the Head of Undergraduate Studies at the National Arts School Sydney, and holds a Master of Arts degree from the University of Sydney in Renaissance Studies and is currently engaged in a Doctor of Philosophy in Art History at the University of Sydney with a strong focus on the function of artefacts within art academies and institutions. Her research interests also include Women in Art, Museology and 19th century Australian Art History. Lorraine is also a frequent and popular guest lecturer at the AGNSW and is a regular guest on ABC Radio National’s Nightlife program. As the former Education Outreach Coordinator at the National Art School, Lorraine is passionate about art, education and history. She is an experienced educator who has taught in both the secondary and tertiary sectors and has been lecturing in the Department of Art History and Theory at the National Art School since 1997. High on her list of priorities is regional and national engagement with the high school sector. She runs a number of programs, both inbound and outbound, which, as well as promoting the scope of ongoing tertiary study in art at the National Art School, foster the building of skills, knowledge and values in the fine arts.

NOTE FROM OUR BOARD - We would like to thank Lorraine for the many years of generous support and leadership as a active member of TCP Board. Lorraine’s insightful arts and cultural experience, industry connections, educational models, annual program review and funding applications has contributed significantly to what The Corridor Project represents today.

PATRONS - ANDREW UPTON AND CATE BLANCHETT

Andrew Upton and Cate Blanchett are international artists, directors, cultural visionaries, patrons and co-founders of The Corridor Project. Andrew is a playwright, theatre director and producer with over 30 years experience in supporting artists and cultural institutions globally. Cate is an internationally acclaimed theatre and film actor, producer, humanitarian and environmental advocate. Our Patrons inquisitive nature led them to secure agricultural land and infrastructure currently leased by The Corridor Project. To date this generosity and vision has benefitted hundreds of artists, students and regional communities to explore, develop, experiment, collaborate and exhibit new work in a natural environment.