Virginia Braden has worked for over 30 years in the arts, 29 years of which (1979-2008) were running her own firm. Arts Management Pty Ltd combined projects in all fields of the arts with the personal management of classical music performers and creative artists. With over 150 clients and projects such as administering the Miles Franklin Literary Award and the Portia Geach Portrait Prize for Women as well as dance, theatre and visual arts projects, Virginia’s experience in the arts nationally and internationally has had a broad span. Throughout this period she has pursued her interest in developing the profession of arts management in particular by giving professional development lectures and seminars to students at the Australian National Academy and the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and mentoring a number of young arts managers.

Virginia was Chairman of the UK based International Artist Managers’ Association 2000-2003, having previously served as a Board member and Deputy Chairman for a number of years. She has represented IAMA at meetings around the world, most recently AAPPAC in Seoul 2008 and in Shanghai in 2009 and she will go to Nagoya in 2010. She has served on a number of boards including the Australian Music Centre, Seymour Group, Craft Australia, and The Song Company.

Virginia is currently a member of the board of Opera Australia and the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA).  She is an honorary life member of IAMA and the Australian Music Centre.