ABC appoints new arts content chief

Australian pubcaster the ABC has appointed Mandy Chang to the role of head of arts.

Chang joined the ABC in 2012 after a period producing documentaries for UK broadcasters, including Channel 4’s Rose d’Or-winning feature-length effort The Mona Lisa Curse.

She most recently worked on the launch of the ABC’s iView Arts channel, and has produced Aussie docs such as Autopsy on a Dream – the Story of the Sydney Opera House and Hannah Gadsby’s Oz. She also developed upcoming primetime series David Stratton’s Story of Australian Cinema.

Kath Earl has been overseeing arts content for the ABC following the departure of Katrina Sedgwick in December 2014.

“The ABC has a steadfast ambition to become the home of Arts in Australia,” said ABC director of television Richard Finlayson announcing Chang’s promotion. “Mandy’s appointment to this role is a clear signal that we intend to commission and produce world-class content across all our platforms and bring the best of the arts to a wide Australian audience.

“Our arts team has produced some of ABC TV’s best work over the past few years and we are fortunate to have great depth throughout the group. I’d particularly like to thank Kath Earle for her outstanding leadership during the past year, particularly her work bringing our innovative iview Arts channel to life.”

“We have accomplished much within ABC Arts over the past few years, delivering innovative, high-quality Arts content for audiences, across all of our platforms,” said Chang.

“I look forward to leading the Arts team as we continue to find ambitious and exciting ways to celebrate and share the artistic achievements and dynamic cultural life of this country.”

She takes up her new post this week.