MEDIA RELEASE
5 Mar 2019

ACCA farewells Linda Mickleborough and seeks new Executive Director

ACCA FAREWELLS LINDA MICKLEBOROUGH AND SEEKS NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

John Denton, Chair of the Board of the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art, announced today that Linda Mickleborough will be stepping down from the position of Executive Director.

Linda said: ‘It has been wonderful to have been ACCA’s Executive Director over the past three years. The artistic program under the leadership of ACCA’s Artistic Director and CEO, Max Delany has been inspiring. The commitment and collegiality of ACCA’s Board and team, as well as ACCA’s supporters from the arts and broader communities, has made it an enormous pleasure to work at ACCA’.

John Denton paid tribute to Linda’s contribution to ACCA, noting that she ‘concludes her role following a period of considerable achievement in relation to ACCA’s strategic goals, precinct development, education initiatives and improved financial stability’.

Linda joined the Executive Team at ACCA shortly after the appointment of Max Delany to the position of Artistic Director and CEO in early 2016, and will conclude her role end May 2019. The past three years have seen the presentation of major new commissions and a dynamic scope of exhibitions fostering experimentation and risk, innovation and conversation. During this period Max and Linda have worked with ACCA’s Board and staff to build on ACCA’s considerable legacy and develop a vision for longer term expansion and contribution to the Melbourne Arts Precinct and Australian cultural life.

ACCA’s program of exhibitions have featured the work of significant Australian and international artists and have been supported by an extensive suite of public programs, performances, lectures and symposiums. ACCA’s education program has been expanded to include over 12,000 participants annually with a special focus on schools based in regional areas and those with lower socio-economic rankings. Particular attention has been given to the work of First Nations artists and curators and community involvement through exhibitions such as Sovereignty and A Lightness of Spirit is the Measure of Happiness, and the establishment of Indigenous artist fellowships and curatorial positions through the Yalingwa initiative. ACCA’s community of visionary supporters has grown from long-term champions to encompass new government partners, philanthropists and private donors.

Linda said ‘It has been a hard decision to leave ACCA at such a vibrant point in the organisation’s trajectory. It is driven by the opportunity to take up some new projects and travel with my partner during a period of forthcoming long service leave. I very much look forward to seeing future exhibitions and cheering from the sidelines as ACCA goes from strength to strength.’

Max Delany, Artistic Director and CEO, said ‘Linda has made an outstanding contribution to ACCA’s strategic development, and we wish her well with her forthcoming projects and adventures. It has been a great pleasure to work together, and she leaves the organisation in a strong position and well-placed to advance our vision and goals for the benefit of artists and the wider community’.

ACCA has announced a new executive search for the position of Executive Director, with applications due on Monday 8 April 2019.

Position Description:

The position description is available at the following link: http://acca.melbourne/about/jobs/

Media Enquires:

Katrina Hall: katrina.hall@acca.melbourne

0421 153046

DOWNLOAD THIS MEDIA RELEASE HERE