Health and Arts Research Centre, Inc

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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

Dr Amareswar Galla
Chair
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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 lives now in Denmark and is Professor of World Heritage and Sustainable Development at Split University. He is the founding Executive Director of the International Institute for the Inclusive Museum in Denmark and India.

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
Marily Cintra
Executive Director
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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).
Malcolm Cooke
Treasurer
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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 and Placemaking, in Tharwa, ACT.
Malcolm works as HARC Public Arts Coordinator and he is the coordinator of Blacktown Mount Druitt Hospitals Arts and Cultural Program.
Malcolm has been on the Board since 1999
Mariana Oppermann
Member
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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
Portia Spinks
Member
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Portia is a young anthropologist who brings a fresh approach to the Board, including her creativity, media and communication skills and capacity to understand our working environment.
Portia specialises in anthropology of development and human rights. She has lived and worked with minorities in China. .

Portia has been in the Board since 2014
Martha Fernandez
Member
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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