Anna Burkey Email & Phone Number

Melbourne, Vic, Au

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

I'm proud to work in a world of reading, knowledge and storytelling - advocating for investment in reading as a social and community benefit, and collaborating along the way with thousands of authors & illustrators, publishers, educators, booksellers and librarians. At Australia Reads, we're on a mission to get more people reading, more often - come and join us!I'm leading Australia Reads into the next phase of its evolution, establishing itself as a national not-for-profit… Show more I'm proud to work in a world of reading, knowledge and storytelling - advocating for investment in reading as a social and community benefit, and collaborating along the way with thousands of authors & illustrators, publishers, educators, booksellers and librarians. At Australia Reads, we're on a mission to get more people reading, more often - come and join us!I'm leading Australia Reads into the next phase of its evolution, establishing itself as a national not-for-profit supporting engagement with reading in the face of declining participation. I work closely with the CEOs and teams of our major partners: the Australian Publishers Association (APA), Australian Libraries & Information Association (ALIA), Australian Society of Authors (ALIA), BookPeople (formerly the Aus Booksellers Association), Creative Australia and the Copyright Agency. Show less

I put my sparkling communication skills to work creating, presenting and chairing programs for cultural organisations including the BBC, ABC, and the Edinburgh International Book Fest. As comfortable in front of audiences as I am behind the scenes, I've worked with artists including Ian Rankin, Alexander McCall Smith, Cory Doctorow, Morris Gleitzman, Ali Smith and Shaun Tan. Other credits include: - ABC Breakfast regular guest and newspaper reviewer. - Presenter of ABC… Show more I put my sparkling communication skills to work creating, presenting and chairing programs for cultural organisations including the BBC, ABC, and the Edinburgh International Book Fest. As comfortable in front of audiences as I am behind the scenes, I've worked with artists including Ian Rankin, Alexander McCall Smith, Cory Doctorow, Morris Gleitzman, Ali Smith and Shaun Tan. Other credits include: - ABC Breakfast regular guest and newspaper reviewer. - Presenter of ABC Education's Meet the Author series. - Digital Producer for World Writers Conference. - Judge for the $100,000 Victorian Prize for Literature. - Selector for VCE student exam texts - very proud to have Ursula Le Guin on the curriculum. - Lecturer for Edinburgh University and Ann Arbor, Michigan. Show less

Melbourne, Australia

Good ideas can come from anywhere - but not every new founder has access to the mentorship and information that can make or break a business in the early days. As a member of the Library's Leadership Team, I had to privilege to lead the establishment of StartSpace, powered by State Library Victoria - a new centre for early-stage business founders created as part of the Library's $90million transformation program. Providing work space, events, training programs, scholarships and access… Show more Good ideas can come from anywhere - but not every new founder has access to the mentorship and information that can make or break a business in the early days. As a member of the Library's Leadership Team, I had to privilege to lead the establishment of StartSpace, powered by State Library Victoria - a new centre for early-stage business founders created as part of the Library's $90million transformation program. Providing work space, events, training programs, scholarships and access to mentors and timely information, StartSpace helps new founders from all walks of life to find their feet. From social enterprises and sustainable local business to international startups, StartSpace offers early support and professional networks, with programs like the Foundry658 creative industries accelerator, and the Melbourne Award-nominated Future Founders Program. It's also a prototype for the library industry in Australia, bringing together the strong community engagement and knowledge of libraries with the skills and networks of the innovation economy.Got an idea and not sure where to start? Start at StartSpace. For free, for everyone. Show less

I took on the leadership of the Library's Audience Engagement department through an extensive restructure and the onset of COVID-19, in addition to my existing Creative Enterprise role. Encompassing education, children & families, exhibitions, public programming and new disciplines like experience design, supporting the existing branch team while identifying and bringing in new skills, talent and processes.

In addition to my day-to-day portfolio of responsibilities, I took on Executive Director duties while the role was permanently recruited. As the Library had just opened the $90mill building redevelopment, the role included ensuring the smooth implementation of new visitor services and programming, including the opening of the Children's Quarter and Conversation Quarter.

Freeplay is Australia’s largest independent games festival, celebrating the imagination and artistry of digital culture. I contributed to the strategic direction, development and funding of the not-for-profit festival; while on the Board, Freeplay grew to a 10-day Festival of cutting edge cultural events.

Melbourne, Australia

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

The first industry representative on the VCE English text selection panel, working with a group of experienced teachers and assessors to recommend books, plays and poetry for the Victorian curriculum and examinations. I brought a particular focus for contemporary literature that reflects a broad and global experience, with a greater range of social, cultural and gender representations.

Melbourne, Australia

From the Children's Book Festival to the statewide Reading Matters festival, making books and storytelling programming accessible to all was at the heart of this role - and led to the creation of a new and dedicated Children's Library within the iconic Library building.The heritage Library welcomes 1.8million annual visitors, and has committed to programs, services and facilities for new audiences. In line with this, I managed teams working with children, families and young adults… Show more From the Children's Book Festival to the statewide Reading Matters festival, making books and storytelling programming accessible to all was at the heart of this role - and led to the creation of a new and dedicated Children's Library within the iconic Library building.The heritage Library welcomes 1.8million annual visitors, and has committed to programs, services and facilities for new audiences. In line with this, I managed teams working with children, families and young adults, successfully securing the long-term resources and skills to support this new approach. I created programming partnerships across Australia, and consulted to local and national literacy initiatives.I led the renewal of the Centre for Youth Literature, shaping a new strategic direction that prioritises the voices and views of Australia's young adults. In 2013, the Centre successfully secured Key Organisation status and triennium funding from the Australia Council for the Arts. Show less

Cape Town

My six-month Fellowship focused on multi-disciplinary events, digital design and social enterprise. I mapped the creative ecosystem, developing an understanding of South African creative industries; I nurtured investments between companies in Chile, China, Kenya and Sweden.Over 10 weeks, from arrival in South Africa to project delivery, I produced the COMMON Pitch entrepreneurs program at Cape Town's historic Town Hall, a new partnership between Design Indaba (South Africa) and COMMON… Show more My six-month Fellowship focused on multi-disciplinary events, digital design and social enterprise. I mapped the creative ecosystem, developing an understanding of South African creative industries; I nurtured investments between companies in Chile, China, Kenya and Sweden.Over 10 weeks, from arrival in South Africa to project delivery, I produced the COMMON Pitch entrepreneurs program at Cape Town's historic Town Hall, a new partnership between Design Indaba (South Africa) and COMMON (USA.) Show less

Scotland

Edinburgh is the world's first UNESCO City of Literature; the small Executive team develops programs to enhance the creative economy. Commended by Parliamentary motions, we defined a new artistic program and leveraged £4 of arts activity for every £1 raised.Joining the new company at its inception, I established the communications and digital strategies, developed key stakeholder relationships, coordinated the events program and set up robust financial governance. Highlights… Show more Edinburgh is the world's first UNESCO City of Literature; the small Executive team develops programs to enhance the creative economy. Commended by Parliamentary motions, we defined a new artistic program and leveraged £4 of arts activity for every £1 raised.Joining the new company at its inception, I established the communications and digital strategies, developed key stakeholder relationships, coordinated the events program and set up robust financial governance. Highlights include:• Establishing productive relationships with 100 partner companies.• Creating and delivering the high profile One Book - One Edinburgh campaigns.• Representing the company on the national Mission Models Money Transition Project.• Leading digital communications, overseeing 300% annual growth in online audience numbers.• Rolling out education programs to all 200 Edinburgh schools. Programs still in use. Show less

I believe in supporting emerging talent, and bringing together creative people. I produced several strands of Festival programs, scouting for great new authors and providing the first public platforms for writers now recognised by national awards. Coupled with mentorship, networking and presentation training, these programs continue to ensure quality experiences for Festival audiences, and valuable skills development for participants.

Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Edinburgh is full of stories; I led lively history and ghost tours of Edinburgh's Old and New Towns for a 5-star rated tour company. I created experiences including press trips, bespoke tours and character events at Edinburgh Castle and Mary King's Close, for local and international visitors.

Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Provided administration and events for management consultancy firm, with clients including Small Business Gateway and Scottish Enterprise. Programs reached 9,000 individuals and SMEs.

Ma (Hons), English Literature

Activities and Societies: English Literature Society Honours subjects included post-colonial literature, Jacobean theatre and Gothic.

Education record