New leader for gallery

GEELONG Gallery has appointed experienced arts and culture administrator Andrew Deane to its second-in-command role.

Mr Deane will start as the gallery’s deputy director and chief operating officer from June 7 to replace Penny Whitehead, who left the role earlier this month.

He will bring 23 years of experience to his new role, primarily in relationship management and fundraising, and in cross-organisational leadership roles in Australia, Japan and China.

Most recently Mr Deane has worked as associate director, development and partnerships at thinktank Asia Society Australia, where he worked with stakeholders across government, business, academia and arts and culture sectors.

He also has experience working with Sydney’s Australian Theatre for Young People, which included securing funding deals to increase access to the organisation’s programs.

Mr Deane’s new role will include supporting the gallery’s director and CEO, Jason Smith, through management of the business, and will co-manage curation and learning and audience engagement departments.