About
Who We Are
photo access is the Canberra region’s centre for contemporary photography, film, video and media arts. An established non-profit incorporated association based at the Manuka Arts Centre, we’re a friendly creative community making, sharing and investigating photographic culture in the interests of artistic expression, cultural participation and positive social change.
At the forefront of contemporary photography, film, video, and media arts, photo access stands as the region’s photographic hub. We champion photographic experimentation and discovery through a variety of channels, including diverse exhibitions, workshops, community events, and engaging discursive and artistic projects.
Established in 1984 as an artist-run initiative, photo access has deep roots in grassroots arts activism, and flourishes as an integral part of our local community. The founding artists envisioned photo access as a space for fostering creativity and learning within an inclusive community setting. Situated on the sacred lands of Ngunnawal people, on Kamberri/Canberra soil, we proudly manage the Manuka Arts Centre.
In the midst of a transformative era in image culture, photo access aims to preserve analogue skills whilst cultivating an understanding of the omnipresent photographic image in the digital age. Through our public programs, we facilitate national and international discussions on visual literacy and contemporary practices.
The Future: photo access is delighted to be one of the pioneering organisations transitioning to a new world-class arts precinct in Kingston, Canberra from 2028 onwards. Our new purpose-built home will increase our current space, featuring darkrooms, studios, a larger gallery, and providing access to artists’ accommodation. Please join us as we continue to evolve and expand our commitment to the art of photography and its dynamic role in our ever-changing world.
First Nations Advisory Committee
photo access is seeking expressions of interest to establish a First Nations Advisory Committee. The Board of photo access are thrilled to announce the establishing of a First Nations Advisory Committee who will form a sub-committee of the Board of photo access. The Committee will be responsible for working with the Board to deliver a First Nations Cultural Engagement Strategy. This opportunity is open to both established and early-career First Nations peoples working in the cultural sector and is not limited to professionals working with photography or screen-based media.
For any further enquiries, or to speak with a First Nations representative, please contact:
To apply for this opportunity, please send an email expressing your interest (no more than 500 words) and attach your resume / CV to:
Team
At photo access, our team is the heartbeat of our organisation. With a shared passion for fostering creativity and supporting artistic endeavours, we come together to create a vibrant community where artists of all backgrounds feel welcome and inspired. Each member brings a unique perspective and skill set, united by a commitment to collaboration and inclusivity.
Alex Robinson ,
Director
Alex Robinson is an arts leader and a well-connected arts practitioner with extensive knowledge of the sector. With over two decades of professional experience in the cultural sector he was previously the Registration Manager of the Biennale of Sydney and has held other roles at Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, Create NSW and the National Museum of Australia. He is a current PhD Candidate at the ANU where his research is focused on the importance of materiality for audiovisual archives.
Litia Roko ,
A/g Curator
Litia Roko is an artist and writer working across video, installation, text, and presentation software. Litia is a graduate of the ANU School of Art and Design where she received First Class Honours and the Peter and Lena Karmel Anniversary Prize in Art for her research interrogating the politics of photographic representation in algorithmic culture. She lives on Ngunawal and Ngambri country.
Maddie Hepner ,
Workshop & Education Manager
Maddie Hepner is an American-Australian-Canadian artist working within photography, video, sculpture and sound, based on Ngunnawal Country (Canberra, Australia). Her practice engages with personal identity, political discourse, and the shifting role of the image in a digital context. Maddie graduated from the ANU School of Art and Design with First Class Honours in 2021.
Greg Stoodley ,
Studio Manager
Greg Stoodley is a photographer and artist who enjoys playing with aesthetics and materials from photography’s past and integrating them with digital media. He has a distinct love for black-and-white photography and analogue processes. The overriding theme of his work explores the relationship of the photographic image to time, especially as that relates to culture and its relationship to photography.
Governance
photo access is a non-profit organisation registered under the Incorporated Associations Act (1991) ACT. Our volunteer board brings strong professional expertise and experience in board governance, financial management, artistic practice, and exceptional cross-sector networks. photo access is proud to receive ACT Government Arts Centre Investment funding. The Board convenes committees for Finance, Strategic Planning, Governance and Risk, Membership and Development.
Keir Winesmith ,
Chair
Dr Keir Winesmith is a cultural leader and strategist, with a focus on transformational change. He is currently Chief Digital Officer at the National Film & Sound Archive of Australia. Previously, he has held positions at the National Gallery of Australia, SFMOMA in San Francisco USA, and the Museum of Contemporary Art, Sydney. Dr Winesmith brings significant Board experience and expertise in photographic culture and digital innovation in the cultural sector. He joined the Board in 2025.
Nat Williams ,
Deputy Chair
Nat is a freelance curator, researcher and writer and is currently researching and writing a biography of the remarkable collector and art dealer Sir Rex Nan Kivell. Nat worked for many years at the National Library of Australia, including, until mid-2020, as its Treasures Curator. He has produced photography projects featuring Jon Rhodes, Stephen Dupont and Richard Green and has published widely on Australian visual culture. Nat is an experienced arts board member, having contributed to the Contemporary Art Centre of South Australia, Art for Public Spaces, Adelaide and VIVID-National Photography Festival. He joined the Board in 2018.
Julia Zhao ,
Treasurer
Julia is a seasoned board and committee member, with extensive experience in finance, governance, and compliance, spanning business advisory, commercial operations, not-for-profit, and international development organisations. Julia holds a Master of Accounting from Macquarie University and is a member of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, CPA Australia, and a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. A passionate photographer, Julia volunteers with community camera clubs. She joined the Board in 2024.
Jane Duong ,
Secretary
Jane is currently the CRM and Ticketing Manager at the National Gallery of Australia and was previously at the National Portrait Gallery in a variety of positions over numerous years. Jane holds a Bachelor Degree in Communications, majoring in Photomedia from Edith Cowan University (2004), and a Postgraduate Diploma in Museums and Collections from the Australian National University (2007). Jane is fascinated with the magic and chance that comes with cyanotype printing, her most recent cyanotype photographic projects include Under the sun (2023) and Cyscapes (2022). Jane has a long association with photo access and joined the Board in 2023.
Keeaira Aird ,
Board Member
Keeaira is the First Nations Engagement Lead at The Mabo Centre, University of Melbourne. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, from the University of Melbourne and has ten years’ experience in the galleries, libraries, archives and museums sector, having worked in state and national cultural institutions. She advocates for meaningful engagement with First Nations communities to ensure they retain agency over their cultural knowledge and expressions. Keeaira brings her expertise in culturally-responsive program design and creative industries grants management. She joined the Board in 2025.
Meredith Dellar ,
Board Member
Meredith has built a strong career supporting non-profits and the creative industries by connecting philanthropic, corporate and government partners with arts and culture. Meredith brings her expertise in fundraising, marketing and communications to photo access from her experience at organisations including the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, state and federal government, Victorian Opera, and Regional Arts Victoria. She holds a Master of Arts Management and Diploma of Governance, is a current member of the Institute of Community Directors Australia, and an alumni of the Australia Council for the Arts Future Leaders Program. Meredith joined the Board in 2022.
Charles Gascoigne ,
Board Member
Charles is a lawyer with 15 years’ experience providing legal advice to Commonwealth, state and territory governments and statutory corporations, and conducting international trade negotiations. He holds degrees in law, international law, and arts from the ANU and the University of Sydney and is admitted to practice in the ACT. Charles has experience in the ACT’s legal framework governing incorporated associations, property law, and intellectual property.
Scott Kindred ,
Board Member
Scott is an Executive Director with a commercial advisory firm operating in the infrastructure sector. He is a qualified engineer and has over 20 years experience in the design, planning and delivery of major infrastructure projects across ACT, NSW and QLD. Scott has a Honours Degree in Civil Engineering and a Postgraduate Diploma of Project Management. He has worked for private sector contractors and held Executive level roles in consulting businesses supporting government programs. He brings his expertise in project management and business strategy to photo access.
Adam Samuelson ,
Board Member
Adam is the Founder and Principal Consultant of Culture Collab and brings experience in risk management, security, safety and compliance from the cultural sector. He previously held leadership roles as the Risk and Security Manager at the National Museum of Australia and the Compliance and Risk Manager at the National Portrait Gallery. Adam’s diverse academic background includes degrees in security, philosophy, and human resources. His dedication to serving the community was formally recognised with the National Emergency Medal for his contributions during the 2019-20 bushfires. Adam joined the board in 2021.
Katrina Sluis ,
Board Member
Katrina is a curator, writer and educator and is Associate Professor and Head of Photography and Media Arts at Australian National University’s School of Art and Design, where she also convenes the Computational Culture Lab. Prior to this Katrina was Co-Director of the Centre for the Study of the Networked Image, London South Bank University, and Senior Curator (Digital Programs) at The Photographers’ Gallery, London. Her research and curatorial practices are broadly engaged with the photographic image in computational culture, its cultural value and circulation. Katrina joined the Board in 2019.
Supporters
photo access‘s program and facilities are supported by the ACT Government through an ArtsACT Arts Centre Investment, and through generous business partnerships.
