Kane Forbes Email & Phone Number

Melbourne, Vic, Au

Narre Warren, Victoria, Australia

I’m currently the Lead Creative Producer with the City of Casey at Bunjil Place. My work focuses on bringing bold and exciting projects to life in unexpected spaces.

Merri-Bek, Naarm / Melbourne

In this Band 7 role, I managed a team of 4 direct reports, 2 production and logistics contractors, a marketing contractor, a programming contractor, a team of casual staff, and numerous additional contractors. My responsibilities include overseeing the Brunswick Music Festival (including the Sydney Road Street Party), Fawkner Festa, Glenroy Festival, Carols by the Lake, and the Coburg Night Market. I also lead the Festivals Merri-bek Development program, which supports artists in creating new work for local audiences, and manage the Event Permits Program, enabling the community to host events across Merri-bek. These programs support hundreds of artists annually and attract over 120,000 patrons each year.

Hobart, Tasmania, Australia

During my tenure, I secured increased multi-year funding for Mona Foma, enhanced core strategic partnerships, and developed new shows that resonated with thousands. I revitalised employment processes, successfully navigated the challenges of COVID-19 to deliver an impossible festival, and executed numerous acts of leadership to ensure the festival’s success.

Palmerston North, Manawatū-Whanganui, New Zealand

I led the Papaioea Festival of the Arts, focusing on revitalising the Manawatū region through performance, music, and art. The festival was guided by a hyper-local programming plan with four strategic goals: celebrating Iwi and Kaitiaki roles, improving perceptions of Manawatū as an arts centre, engaging in local skills development, and fostering national and international exchanges.

Palmerston North, Manawatū-Whanganui, New Zealand

I played a key role in rebuilding Square Edge Arts Centre, an organisation with significant personal and community value. Facing funding challenges and artistic decline, I redeveloped arts programs, diversified funding sources, and strengthened key relationships, leaving the organisation well-positioned for future success.

Palmerston North, Manawatū-Whanganui, New Zealand

In this role, I developed the “Towards an Arts Powerhouse” strategic plan, established new systems for managing the Arts Powerhouse Advisory group, and conducted a comprehensive strategic mapping process for the city’s arts and cultural groups.

Chengdu, Sichuan, China

As an Asialink Resident, I collaborated with theatre and arts companies in Chengdu, Shanghai, and Beijing. My activities included developing a workshop program, participating in summer camps, creating an interactive installation at Chengdu’s A4 Contemporary Arts Space, and beginning the development of the theatre show Moon Shadow.

I managed the delivery of over 1,000 performances across multiple countries, including China, Japan, and Germany. My role involved overseeing grants, submissions, reporting, and managing communications and marketing, including the premiere of Tink Tank at Edinburgh Fringe 2016.

Werribee, Victoria, Australia

I led a strategic redevelopment of the City of Wyndham’s programming processes and developed the 2018 program, which was praised for its inclusivity and artistic quality.

Port Melbourne

Regional Arts Victoria runs a performing arts touring coordinating program that works to broker agreements between presenters and producers resulting in tours of a diverse range of performing arts productions.

Australia

I was convener of the Blue Heeler Network of touring coordination service providers. This national network runs the Cyberpaddock website and Long Paddock, a biannual forum that facilitates national Australian performing arts tours. The Blue Heeler Network is auspiced by Regional Arts Australia.

Australia

I managed the Blue Heeler Networks Cyberpaddock website. A networking site used to facilitate Australian regional touring.

Stage management of the Rhythm (main) Stage at Rhythm and Vines Aotearoa's largest new year's eve festival. In this capacity I have worked with major international artists such as Public Enemy, 2ManyDJs, Franz Ferdinand, Empire of the Sun and many others.

Assistant to the manager of Atwaters Musicworks. I helped with the general management of the store - particularly the sound reinforcement dept, was involved in sales and service of musical instruments and hi-tech. Also helped to run the in-store Weekend Warriors and school of rock band program and ran production on in-store and Musicworks events.