Heng Khoo has been appointed as the new Managing Director of the Association of Illustrators (AOI), the organization that campaigns for rights on behalf of its members, and his arrival comes at a time as it prepares for its 40th anniversary next year.
Heng brings with him a wealth of professional experience in the Arts that includes performance venues and public funding organisations. Senior appointments include Operations Director for Asia House, a charity promoting Asian culture and business, where he initiated and programmed a regular film programme and developed the annual Festival of Asian Film. Recently, he was Interim Museum Director for the Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre and Director of Development for Commissions East before taking up his new role at AOI.
"This is an exciting new challenge personally and professionally. The Association of Illustrators has long championed the rights of all illustrators with friendly guidance and advice as well as campaigning widely on its members' behalf for fair copyright practices," said Heng. "Even in this multi-media environment, this has never been more necessary so we plan to continue to celebrate and support the diverse creativity of those artists who work in all areas of illustration, computer graphics and design, nurturing new talent alongside those who have already established a world-wide recognition for their craft."
"The AOI welcomes Heng Khoo as its new Managing Director at an exciting time in the development of the organisation as it approaches the important milestone of its 40th anniversary in 2013," commented Rod Hunt, AOI's Chairman. "We look forward to the next 40 years representing & promoting illustrators' interests, and British Illustration at large. Heng's appointment brings his considerable experience & skills in the arts to enable the AOI to implement its ambitious future plans."