Arts sector appointments – quick links
Queensland Museum announces new Chief Executive Officer
Renai Grace has been appointed as the next Chief Executive Officer of Queensland Museum. Grace will succeed Dr Jim Thompson, who retires later this month after eight years of leadership at Queensland Museum and more than four decades of distinguished public service in New South Wales and Queensland.
During his tenure, Thompson oversaw significant growth and renewal, including the revitalisation of permanent galleries at Queensland Museum Kurilpa, major international exhibitions such as Dinosaurs of Patagonia and Discovering Ancient Egypt, and the creation of a world-class collection storage facility at Hendra.
He guided the organisation through the challenges of the Covid pandemic, championed Queensland Museum’s inaugural First Nations strategy, and brought Queensland’s collections and research to the forefront, creating opportunities for discovery, engagement and international recognition through exhibitions and programming, most recently with the world premiere of Croc! Lost Giants to Living Legends. Under Thompson’s leadership, Queensland Museum has become Australia’s second-most visited museum network and a globally recognised cultural and scientific institution.
Grace was appointed following an extensive national and international recruitment process led by the Queensland Museum Board, with support from the Orchard Talent Group.
With over 25 years of experience in cultural leadership, Grace brings a wealth of expertise in strategic planning, creative direction, audience engagement, fostering partnerships with government and business and leading organisational transformation.
Since her appointment as Executive Director, Museums and Engagement at Queensland Museum in December 2022, Grace has played a pivotal role in enhancing audience experiences across the museum’s four public sites. Her achievements include leading master planning, digital and accessibility initiatives, revitalising the Queensland Museum brand, and significant growth in international partnerships, audience reach and engagement.
Grace previously served as CEO and Director of the Museum of Brisbane for six years, where she established the biannual Brisbane Art Design festival and championed several nationally awarded exhibitions. Her career spans roles at Arts Queensland, Queensland Art Gallery Gallery of Modern Art, NorthSite Contemporary Arts and Artisan, showcasing her deep commitment to the cultural sector.
Professor Margaret Sheil AO, Chair of the board of the Queensland Museum paid tribute to Thompson’s steady and strategic leadership, and welcomed Grace to the role.
‘The board warmly welcomes Ms Grace into the role of CEO. Her experience, vision and proven ability to connect with diverse audiences will guide Queensland Museum into its next chapter – building on a proud history to create new opportunities for learning, discovery and community connection.’
The Honourable John-Paul Langbroek, Minister for Education and the Arts, said Thompson has provided strong leadership of Queensland Museum during his eight-year tenure as CEO and wished him the very best in his retirement.
‘I acknowledge and thank Dr Thompson for his significant contribution to Queensland Museum during which time it has grown to be recognised as one of Australia’s most respected scientific and cultural institutions,’ Langbroek said.
‘I also congratulate incoming CEO Ms Grace on her appointment to lead Queensland Museum during an important time for the state as we prepare to host the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, with the museum playing an essential role in sharing our stories and showcasing our creativity.
‘Ms Grace’s extensive experience and strong commitment to innovation, inclusion and community engagement will ensure Queensland Museum continues to inspire and connect people across the state and beyond.’
Incoming CEO Renai Grace said it would be a privilege to lead such a trusted and inspiring institution.
‘I want to acknowledge Dr Thompson’s remarkable contribution and the foundation he has built. I look forward to working alongside our talented and deeply committed team to amplify the museum’s reach, secure new investment and strengthen its impact across the state,’ she said.
‘With Brisbane 2032 on the horizon, this is an extraordinary moment to reimagine how Queensland Museum can engage, inspire and empower our communities and connect with global audiences.
‘Together, we will build a museum that reflects Queensland’s diversity, creativity and ambition for the future,’ Grace said.
Thompson’s contract concludes on 13 December, with Grace commencing as CEO the following day for a five-year term.
AGSA welcomes Head of Philanthropy and Development
The Art Gallery of South Australia has appointed Ashlyn Hannam to the role of Head of Philanthropy and Development.
In her new role, Hannam will lead the gallery’s philanthropic and development teams to drive strategic vision and further strengthen philanthropic support for AGSA’s long-term future.
With two decades of experience working in philanthropy, partnerships and development, Hannam has a deep understanding of fundraising within the Australian arts and culture sectors.
Most recently, Hannam was Director of Development at State Opera South Australia, where she led strategic development in donor engagement, and designed and implemented long-term growth strategies for the organisation’s development activities.
Hannam has extensive experience working closely with executive management teams, boards and foundations to ensure strong alignment of activity with purpose, transparency and governance.
Read: Massive year for Art Gallery of SA, as it announces its 2026 program
From 2014 to 2022, Hannam was Corporate Partnerships Manager at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Sydney, where she worked alongside the Head of Partnerships to develop and implement the MCA’s extensive annual Corporate Partnerships strategy, including the delivery of the groundbreaking strategic Joint Acquisition Program between MCA, Qantas and TATE.
NETS Victoria announces new Director
National Exhibitions Touring Support Victoria Chair Bec Cole has announced the appointment of respected curator Dr Kent Wilson as the new Director of NETS Victoria.
Wilson commences in the role later this month, and brings a wealth of experience from corporate, government and educational sectors to leverage his passion for driving engagement with art and building a wider appreciation of its social and economic power.
He co-founded a regional non-profit in Kyneton in Victoria that has produced two successful triennials, co-curated the largest visual arts program of the Castlemaine State Festival’s history, and has delivered dozens of exhibitions in public institutions, festivals, schools and commercial galleries.
He, and his projects, have been the recipients of numerous grants including an Australia Council research grant for a curatorial residency in Tokyo and Creative Victoria grants for multi-site festival events in regional Victoria. He has been Curator at City of Boroondara’s Town Hall Gallery, Senior Curator at La Trobe University, and Co-Director and Secretary of Kyneton Contemporary Inc.
Cole said: ‘Kent shares a set of values closely aligned with those of our organisation. His extensive experience across curatorship, business and education, coupled with his dedication to cultivating vibrant cultural engagement within regional Victoria and beyond, positions him exceptionally well for this role. We are excited to welcome him and see where his leadership will take us next.’
Wilson said: ‘It is an honour to serve the goals of NETS Victoria, working with the many wonderful stakeholders who collectively drive our sector’s success. In these challenging times, I look forward to putting my energy toward growing capacity and embedding sustainability for the diversity of arts workers and arts organisations right across the land.’
Wilson succeeds outgoing Director Claire Watson, of whom Cole said: ‘Among Claire’s many accomplishments at NETS Victoria, her dedication to platforming First Nations and underrepresented voices from diverse communities will be a defining legacy. I could not be prouder of everything she has achieved for the artists, curators and the regional galleries and communities that benefit from this work. We thank her wholeheartedly and wish her well for what will undoubtedly be an exciting future.’
Read: Raising red flags for change: Kait James exhibition
NETS Victoria is the peak body for visual art, craft and design touring and Victoria’s only full-service visual arts touring organisation. NETS Victoria has worked with an established network of regional galleries to bring new exhibitions to life in regional communities and support galleries to capture wider audiences for over 40 years.
APRA AMCOS announces Board election results
Music rights management organisation APRA AMCOS, which represents the rights of 128,000 songwriter, composer and music publisher members, has announced the results for both the APRA and AMCOS Board elections following the annual general meetings this week.
On the APRA Board, Australian Writer Director Jenny Morris MNZM OAM and New Zealand Writer Director Bic Runga were re-elected, along with Publisher Directors Andrew Jenkins and Damian Trotter. Morris was also returned as APRA Chair and Trotter as Deputy Chair.
On the AMCOS Board, Directors Clive Hodson and Simon Moor were re-elected along with former Alternate Director, Marianna Annas, and new Director Craig Redfearn from ORiGiN Music Publishing. Jaime Gough was returned as AMCOS Chair and Clive Hodson as Deputy Chair.
APRA and AMCOS Board directors are elected by their respective memberships through a secure ballot. The process and results of the elections are audited and verified by APRA AMCOS’s independent auditors, KPMG.
The AGMs reflected on a year of very strong growth for the organisation, with year in review annual results that revealed its highest group revenue to date of $787.9 million, up 6.5% from the previous financial year.
Net distributable revenue (the amount of royalties paid out to rights holders) was up by 7.8% to $683.4 million and a new e-commerce platform providing world class service for OneMusic licensees has streamlined the experience of purchasing a licence to play music, ultimately getting more money into the pockets of members, more efficiently.
Dean Ormston, CEO of APRA AMCOS, said: ‘Our results show continued growth across every channel driven by streamlined efficiencies, new technology and a strong focus on service, from our improved member portals through to our licensing one-stop shop.
‘As always, advocating for our members’ rights, from local content obligations to future-proofing the opportunities and threats that AI brings, is front of mind and we will continue to bang the drum as loud as we can with government and across our industry to ensure local songwriters and composers are seen and heard.’
New member joins Sydney Symphony Orchestra’s Board of Directors
Sydney Symphony Orchestra has announced the appointment of Catherine Webb to its Board of Directors. Webb brings more than two decades of experience in global finance, operations and governance to the position.
She is currently Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer at Wollemi Capital, a global climate-specialist investment firm partnering with businesses and projects that accelerate decarbonisation and support a more sustainable future.
She joins the orchestra at a pivotal time of artistic growth and strategic renewal, as it prepares for an ambitious 2026 season featuring new initiatives and programs designed to welcome and inspire new audiences.
‘Joining the Sydney Symphony Orchestra Board is an exciting opportunity to support an organisation that continues to evolve and inspire. I look forward to contributing to its future success,’ Webb said.
Before joining Wollemi, Webb spent 20 years with Macquarie Group, most recently as Global CFO and Global COO for Macquarie Capital, which includes the group’s principal investing business. In that role she oversaw financial planning and analysis, capital management, data, systems, non-financial risk, and marketing and communications.
Earlier in her career, she held senior roles within Macquarie’s Financial Management Group, focusing primarily on supporting Macquarie Capital and what is now the Macquarie Asset Management Real Assets division. She also served as Financial Controller of two listed infrastructure funds in Australia.
Webb began her career in audit at PwC and holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) from the University of Sydney. She is a member of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand.
Craig Whitehead, Chief Executive Officer of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, said: ‘We are thrilled to welcome Catherine Webb to our board. Her extensive leadership experience and deep expertise in finance and strategy will be invaluable as we continue to advance our artistic vision, strengthen our governance and expand our reach in the community.’
Webb joins the Sydney Symphony Orchestra Board of Directors alongside Chair Geoff Wilson, Deputy Chair Andrew Baxter and fellow Directors Geoff Ainsworth AM, William Barton, Kees Boersma, Rosemary Curtin, Susan Ferrier, The Hon AJ Meagher, Kate Shaw, Julie Sibraa and Chief Executive Officer Craig Whitehead.
Holden Street Theatres appoints new Director in Residence
Adelaide’s Holden Street Theatres has appointed Nick Fagan as its new Director in Residence, with Artistic Director Martha Lott saying: ‘We are delighted to officially welcome Nick Fagan as our new Director in Residence. Nick’s appointment is a major coup with his adventurous programming and a reputation as one of the most exciting directorial forces in South Australia.’
Fagan said: “HST has always punched above its weight. I’m honoured to join a company that backs artists so fiercely and brings audiences work that is honest, provocative and beautifully crafted.’
In addition to Fagan’s appointment, HST also recently announced its 2026 season and the appointment of a newly created board, who according to Martha Lott will help shape HST’s future direction.
“I am pleased to also reveal HST’s new board, chaired by Natalie Morely and a group of passionate and highly skilled members who will help guide HST’s future vision,’ she said.
Read: More recent arts sector appointments
