Creative BC has appointed veteran artist and arts administrator Lou-ann Neel in the newly established role of Indigenous lead on the organization’s funding programs team, effective Feb. 28.

Her responsibilities will include consultation, design and launch of a new suite of targeted programs to support Indigenous filmmakers. The programs are privately funded by the four-year Rogers Group of Funds’ $1 million investment for Indigenous creators, which was announced Nov. 12 and is administered by Creative BC. This year the program — Creative BC’s first targeted Indigenous funding stream — is delivering top-up support to British Columbia-based recipients of the Indigenous Screen Office’s Development Grant program.

Neel (pictured) hails from the Kwakwaka’wakw people (northern Vancouver Island), originally from Alert Bay, B.C., and has over 25 years’ experience managing arts and culture and language programs, along with community development, strategic planning and communications experience. She was most recently acting head, Indigenous Collections and Repatriation Department, at the Royal BC Museum.

Neel’s other experience includes acting director of Aboriginal education at North Island College, Aboriginal service plan co-ordinator at the University of Victoria, and positions with the Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, the First Peoples’ Cultural Council, The Banff Centre, and the North American Indigenous Games.

Creative BC says Neel brings a broad, B.C.-based network of relationships and understanding to the organization, along with a management style that reflects the teachings received within her Kwakwaka’wakw culture.  She has extensive experience working closely with Indigenous peoples and arts, education and public service organizations, delivering Indigenous cultural initiatives and programs.

Neel holds a bachelor of fine arts degree in visual arts from Emily Carr University of Art and Design, and both a diploma in public sector management and a certificate in administration of Aboriginal governments from the University of Victoria, School of Public Administration.

Image credit: Lou-ann Neel