The Museum of Contemporary Art Australia (MCA) has announced that, after more than two transformational decades at the helm, Elizabeth Ann Macgregor OBE, will end her tenure as Director later this year.
Ms Macgregor had recently advised the MCA Chairman and Board that she had decided to step down. She will leave the position in October to allow the Museum, which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year, to transition as seamlessly as possible to a new Director.
“Succession has been very much on my mind since my 20th anniversary as Director in 2019,” said Macgregor. “The last two decades have been the most thrilling and rewarding of my professional life.”
“The decision to leave has been extraordinarily difficult to make, but the 30th anniversary seemed like the right moment to hand the reins over to ensure the MCA continues to evolve and thrive. It has also been hard to be cut off from family in the Northern Hemisphere during COVID-19, so I’m planning to return to the United Kingdom in October to spend time with family initially.”
MCA Chairman, Lorraine Tarabay, said Ms Macgregor will leave an enormous legacy. “Liz Ann is a visionary who has expertly steered the Museum from the brink of insolvency when she arrived to the vibrant, thriving organisation The Art Newspaper has declared the most visited contemporary art museum in the world,” she said.
“During her tenure, the MCA has expanded to include the National Centre for Creative Learning (NCCL) and increased its audience more than tenfold. The Museum is renowned globally for its curatorial excellence, putting artists at the centre of all it does, building a collection of Australian contemporary art with a significant focus on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists, and its ground-breaking work exploring and extending the social impact of contemporary art. The MCA has played such an integral part in the cultural fabric of Sydney and Australia.”
“While we are deeply disappointed to see Liz Ann go, we understand and respect her decision and thank her for her enormous contribution to not only the MCA but contemporary art in Australia. Liz Ann has also worked tirelessly to advocate for Australian contemporary art and artists internationally,” said Ms Tarabay.
“I have worked closely with Liz Ann for several years in my capacity as Chairman, Board Director and as a member of several of the Board’s sub-committees. I will miss our close working relationship which has been enormously enjoyable, rewarding and exciting.”
“We wish Liz Ann every success and express our profound gratitude for her 22 years of passion, outstanding commitment, vision and leadership. We look forward to celebrating Liz Ann’s legacy and honouring her later this year,” concluded Ms Tarabay.
The Chairman and Directors of the MCA have commenced the search for a new Director. For more information, visit: www.mca.com.au for details.
Image: Elizabeth Ann Macgregor OBE – photo by Anna K