The National Portrait Gallery (NPG) has appointed a new Director, Bree Pickering, the institution’s board announced earlier this week.
Ms Pickering comes to position mid to late March after finishing up as Director of the Murray Art Museum Albury (MAMA) where she has been since 2016. She takes over the role from Karen Quinlan AM who left the Gallery last year to pursue the role of CEO of Arts Centre Melbourne.
The new director has earned a reputation as a highly regarded arts leader who has extensive experience in both public and private galleries in Australia and overseas.
She previously worked as the Executive Director of Vox Populi, a non-for-profit art space in Philadelphia, as well as the Cultural Program Manager for the Australian Embassy in Washington DC.
During her time at MAMA, Ms Pickering created a new creative and strategic vision for the museum, which led the newly refurbished art space on the path to becoming a nationally recognised destination.
NPG Chair, Penny Fowler said she was excited about the appointment given Ms Pickering’s proven track record of being an ambitious and transformative arts leader.
“Bree’s appointment marks an exciting new chapter for the NPG as it enters its 25th year, and we know she will bring energy, ideas, an appetite for innovation and a passion for growth and expansion into this important role,” Ms Fowler said.
Ms Pickering said she is thrilled to be taking on the role and is looking forward to contributing to the Gallery’s continued success in its 25th year and its future.
“The Gallery is dynamic and innovative, and as a young national cultural institution, it is well positioned to respond to and reflect upon our culture and history. I join the Gallery at an exciting time with the recently launched National Cultural Policy promising a reinvigoration of the arts and culture sector.”
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