Turning the Footscray Community Arts Centre into a home for everybody would be the cherry on the cake of an already great organisation, according to new boss Martin Paten.
Paten will this month take the baton as FCAC chief executive and general manager from Jade Lillie, who departs after five years at the helm.
The western suburbs-raised Paten is eager to return to his roots following a decade as director of the internationally renowned Castlemaine State Festival.
He intends to tread lightly at the outset while absorbing what makes the centre so successful, but is already hatching ideas to broaden its appeal.
“I’m getting increasingly excited about starting,” he said.
“Since the 90s I have been looking to it as a beacon of community arts practice.”
“I’m really keen to start letting more people know about FCAC and make it a place where they can have an emotional connection.”
Benjamin Millar
