FRESH DIRECTION FOR GEELONG GALLERY

Internationally recognised public art museum director and curator Jason Smith will take the reins at Geelong Gallery in May.

The board of Geelong Gallery recently announced Mr Smith would take over as new director following Geoffrey Edwards’ departure at the end of April.

Mr Smith has worked in the art museum sector for 25 years and he is currently the curatorial manager of Australian art at Queensland Art Gallery/Gallery of Modern Art.

He was the director and chief executive officer of Heide Museum of Modern Art from 2008-2014, where he led the museum’s critically acclaimed reinvigoration. He has also been the director of Monash Gallery of Art, and a curator at the National Gallery of Victoria, as well as having curated more than 40 exhibitions and written on the work of more than 150 artists for a range of publications.

“I am honoured and delighted to have been asked to lead the next phase of Geelong Gallery’s already long and illustrious life as one of Australia’s oldest and most important public art galleries,” Mr Smith said.

“Geelong Gallery holds a magnificent collection of 19th, 20th and 21st century art of national significance, and I look forward to working to ensure its ongoing relevance to the people of Geelong and audiences throughout the state and nation.”

Geelong Gallery chairman Terry Wills Cooke said the board is delighted with Mr Smith’s appointment.

“He brings to the community of Geelong a reputation for excellence in gallery and museum management and innovative artistic direction.

“The Gallery’s membership and the broader community of Geelong will benefit from Jason’s vision and enthusiasm as we move into a phase of redevelopment and change for the Gallery and for the arts precinct of Geelong.

“We are delighted to welcome Jason to Geelong following the retirement of longterm director Geoffrey Edwards.

“We are grateful to Geoffrey who established the Geelong Gallery as one of Australia’s leading regional galleries during his 15 year tenure.”

Mr Smith will relocate to Geelong in mid-April and commence as director on May 1.