Health and Arts Research Centre, Inc

placeholder image-sq

HARC operates under the inspiration of Ricardo Semler, a Brazilian businessman who is known for his innovative management, which includes the workers of his company in decision making. HARC workers are part of our Board of Management and we believe that the success of our work is due to team work, trust and understanding of the organisation

HARC Board

placeholder image-sq

Dr Amareswar Galla

Chair

Pro Chancellor, KISS DU.
Amar brings to the Board a wealth of experience in cultural democracy and expertise in sustainable heritage development. Born in India, Amar studied at the Jawaharlal Nehru University (New Delhi). He is the founding Executive Director of the International Institute for the Inclusive Museum in Denmark and India.

Amareswar Galla is an internationally acclaimed expert in inclusive cultural leadership and sustainable heritage development. With a Ph.D.from the Australian National University, Canberra, his career spans several continents and a multitude of roles that emphasize cultural inclusivity and heritage preservation. Australia’s first Professor of Museum Studies, University of Queensland, Brisbane & prior to that he was Professor & Director of Sustainable Heritage Development, Research School of Pacific and Asian Studies, the Australian National University in Canberra.

He has published extensively, his latest book focuses on inclusion and active citizenship (World Heritage: Benefits Beyond Borders, Cambridge University Press & UNESCO Publishing, 2012). He has been honored internationally on multiple occasions, including the Outstanding Conservationist of the Year Award (Vietnamese government, 2002) and the European Best in Heritage Award (2008). In 2012, the International Council of Museums (Australia) conferred the Individual Achievement Award for Excellence for Amar’s extensive and on-going commitment to museums, sustainable development, and poverty alleviation through culture. Amar has been on the Board since 2007

placeholder image-sq

Marily Cintra

Executive Director

Marily Cintra is HARC’s founder. She is an artist who brings a wealth of expertise in community cultural development, arts, health and design. Marily has 48 years experience in ccd, during the past twenty years she has established and managed twenty two arts programs in health care facilities. Her work is known internationally as best practice and she has received many awards both as visual artist and community cultural development, including the Australia Council Ros Bower Award (2006) and the NSW Women and the Arts Award (1998).

placeholder image-sq

Malcolm Cooke

Treasurer

Malcolm brings to the Board his experience in managing his own arts business for over 35 years. He does all HARC financial administration as in kind contribution. Malcolm is an artist who has always made his living solely through the arts. He was the director of Cuppacumbalong Pottery for ten years and since 1992 has been the director of The Art Shed in Tharwa, ACT. Malcolm works as HARC Public Arts Coordinator. Malcolm has been on the Board since 1999

placeholder image-sq

Mariana Oppermann

Member

Mariana is a young lawyer and writer who brings to the Board her expertise in disability and human rights. She is the director of Incredible Voices, an organisation that advocates for human rights and mental health. Mariana has first class honours in Law (ANU) and is presently undertaking a Master Degree in the Culture, Health and Medicine Program at the ANU.

Mariana has been on the Board since 2014

placeholder image-sq

Martha Fernandez

Member

Martha is a community artist, living and working in Western Sydney. She trained with Marily Cintra from 1996 to 1998 as part of Liverpool Hospital Redevelopment. She has since worked in the planning, implementation and evaluation of six hospitals in NSW. Martha was the HARC manager for Fairfield Hospital Arts Programs until 2008. Her most recent work is in the development of Papelnonos Australia, our HARC program involving seniors of Spanish Speaking cultural backgrounds in Western Sydney.

Martha has been in the Board since 2002