Tennille Moisel appointed as Midsumma’s ongoing festival director

TENNILLE Moisel has been appointed as Midsumma’s ongoing festival director, after running this year’s event as an interim appointment to the role.

Moisel became acting festival director last September, stepping down from her position on the Midsumma board after previous festival director Monique Thorpe resigned.

Midsumma issued a statement that there had been several “high caliber” candidates for the role, and said the process has put the organisation’s board in contact with people who may be involved in various ways with the festival going forward.

Moisel said she is looking forward to finding new ways to engage the community going forward, and is currently involved in strategic planning for the next few years of the festival.

“I’ve been involved with Midsumma for over 10 years as an event producer, a stallholder, a board member and of course an audience participant,” she said.

“Getting the opportunity to work directly with all of the amazing producers, performers, partners and communities is a privilege and I am excited to lead the organisation through our next planning cycle.”

Midsumma chair Aaron Hockley said Moisel’s appointment was for three years, and was a unanimous decision by the board.

“We are confident that her expertise in organisational and people management, her financial and business acumen and her passion for the LGBTI communities make her a perfect fit for such a broad and important role,” he said.

“We have asked Tennille to ensure she engages high quality people to help her deliver and improve core parts of the festival particularly major events (Carnival, Midwinta, T-Dance and Pride March) and what has become one of Australia’s largest arts festivals.”

The past two years have seen significant change at Midsumma, with a change in festival director, the establishment of the Midwinta festival and the incorporation of Pride March Victoria into the organisation.