The World of WearableArt has appointed a new chief executive, Former Film New Zealand chief executive and WIFT member Gisella Carr.
Carr was previously chief executive of Film New Zealand and has a long association with the creative industries.
She has worked with the Royal New Zealand Ballet, the New Zealand Students Arts Council, national funding agency Creative New Zealand and as director of funds development at Te Papa museum.
She also created the Arts Laureate Awards for the Arts Foundation of New Zealand and taught management and cultural policy at both Auckland and Victoria Universities.
WOW was founded by Dame Suzie Moncrieff in Nelson 28 years ago and it has grown into a sell-out fixture attracting international audiences of more than 55,000 in Wellington.
WOW chairman Brian Rhoades said the company had "ambitious" plans that were expected to flourish under its new management, and her appointment reflected the company's international aspirations.
"Gisella brings a wealth of experience and talent that will allow us to put these plans into action."
The position at the helm of the WOW festival was vacant after its general manager Tim Launder's death after a short battle with skin cancer at the end of last year.
Carr will be joining the company at the beginning of next month.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/arts/76264220/former-film-nz-chief-gisella-carr-takes-over-world-of-wearableart-helm