GANE, the project set up to help cultural organisations in the North East of Scotland grow their audiences, has named their first full-time Manager.

Nina Eggens has been appointed to the post of Project Manager with GANE.  Nina is currently Marketing Manager with Peacock Visual Arts in Aberdeen.

Born in Emmen, a town in the North East of the Netherlands, Nina developed a passion for the arts from a very young age. She studied History of Art and Architecture at the University of Groningen and received a Masters degree in 2001

Nina began her career in the Netherlands, where her work included freelance research, writing for architectural magazines, project managing exhibitions and events, and advising grant applicants at the Netherlands Architecture Fund.

She moved to Scotland in 2005, where she was appointed as Marketing Manager for Peacock Visual Arts in Aberdeen.

After four and a half years at Peacock, Nina will start her new role as Project Manager for GANE in February 2010.

Nina said about the post: “I am very excited about this new challenge. There is great artistic talent and potential in the North East and I am looking forward to help organisations across the region to grow their audiences, as well as encouraging more people to enjoy and take part in the arts.”

Nina lives in Kemnay with her partner and two cats. In her spare time Nina is the singer and guitarist in the Aberdeen band Hashimoto Jones.

The GANE (Growing Audiences North East) project has been funded by the Scottish Arts Council, with support from Aberdeenshire Council and Aberdeen City Council.  The project will focus on developing audiences for the arts and culture across Aberdeenshire and Aberdeen City, and in neighbouring Moray and Angus local authority areas.