The Art Gallery of South Australia (AGSA) in Adelaide has named Jason Smith as its new director, effective February 2025. Smith will fill the post vacated by Rhana Devenport, who departed the institution after six years in the role this past July. Smith, who will relocate to South Australia, arrives to AGSA from Geelong Gallery in Victoria, where he currently serves as director.
“I have been a visitor to and professionally involved with the Art Gallery of South Australia since 1996, and I am honored to have been entrusted with the role of director of this magnificent cultural institution. The principle that has guided my leadership is to ensure an accessible and inclusive experience of art that enriches peoples’ lives,” said Smith in a statement. “I regard it as a particular privilege to be asked to lead the ongoing development of one of the nation’s most acclaimed art collections, and to oversee the scholarship and innovations of AGSA’s thought-provoking exhibitions program.”
Prior to his work at Geelong Gallery, Smith from 2014 to 2016 was curatorial manager of Australian art at Brisbane’s Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art. Earlier roles, all in Melbourne or its suburbs, include those of director and CEO of the Heide Museum of Modern Art (2008–14); director of Monash Gallery of Art (now the Museum of Australian Photography) (2007–2008); and curator of contemporary art at the National Gallery of Victoria (1997–2007).
“Jason will bring comprehensive experience in providing artistic, curatorial and strategic leadership to AGSA. At both Heide Museum of Modern Art and Geelong Gallery, Jason was instrumental in delivering strong leadership with a creative, entrepreneurial approach that has cemented these institutions as cultural destinations,” said AGSA board chair Sandy Verschoor in a statement. “I look forward to working closely with Jason as we elevate AGSA to be the most inspiring art destination in Australia.”
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