The Whakatane District Council has announced the appointment of Eric Holowacz to the role of director of Whakatane Museum.

Eric is currently the executive director of the Sedona Arts Centre and campus in Northern Arizona, USA, and will take up his new role on November 6.

Council Acting Chief Executive David Bewley says Eric has diverse international experience in cultural management, creative community development, festivals, cultural facilities and non-profit executive leadership. His academic background includes a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree in English Literature and Art History and post-graduate study in Professional Communication.

'Prior to his current role, Eric was the president and chief executive of Louisiana's capital city arts council. Eric has also worked in Australia as the arts and culture manager for Mildura Rural City Council and was producer and director of the Cairns Cultural Festival for three years,” he says.

'Eric also worked for the Wellington City Council for four years as arts programmes and services manager, leading the development of the Toi Poneke Arts Centre, the ArtSplash Festival, public art commissions and creative industry developments.”

A New Zealand citizen, Eric specialises in projects and collaborations that engage communities in new and unique ways – often revolving around cultural identity, local heritage, creative process and the expression of a sense of place.