[{"id":54222,"date":"2026-02-25T16:37:51","date_gmt":"2026-02-25T05:37:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/acca.melbourne\/?post_type=press_release&p=54222"},"modified":"2026-02-25T16:37:51","modified_gmt":"2026-02-25T05:37:51","slug":"laura-de-neefe-appointed-executive-director-acca","status":"publish","type":"press_release","link":"https:\/\/acca.melbourne\/press_release\/laura-de-neefe-appointed-executive-director-acca\/","title":{"rendered":"Laura De Neefe appointed Executive Director, ACCA"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Wednesday 25 February, 2026: Dr Terry Wu, Chair, Australian Centre for Contemporary Art (ACCA) announced today Laura De Neefe appointed as ACCA Executive Director.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Laura De Neefe is an arts leader who has spent over a decade contributing to the visual arts and cultural community of Naarm\/Melbourne. Her leadership is grounded in a deep commitment to artists, team development and workplace culture, access to contemporary art, and equitable cultural institutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Laura joined ACCA\u2019s Executive Team in 2022, working closely with the team and Board on ACCA’s strategic vision, finance and governance, and workplace initiatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Laura brings strong organisational knowledge to the position of Executive Director having commenced at ACCA in 2017. During her time at ACCA, she has worked to strengthen philanthropic support for exhibitions, education and programs, build strategic partnerships, secure significant grants and government funding, enhance ACCA\u2019s inclusion and equity, nurture a supportive workplace and promote ACCA’s activities to diverse audiences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Terry said, \u2018Laura brings high-level art leadership and strategic experience to the role of Executive Director. She has extensive and detailed knowledge of ACCA and has been with the organisation since 2017, previously in the role of Director, Development & Engagement. Laura has also led the team as Acting Executive Director in 2022. We are delighted to welcome back Laura as the Executive Director, and look forward to working with Laura and CEO and Artistic Director Myles Russell-Cook to champion ACCA\u2019s role as the nation\u2019s premier contemporary art commissioning organisation.\u2019 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018ACCA is an organisation very close to my heart,\u2019 Laura said, \u2018I am excited to take on this new position and work closely with Myles and with our outstanding team and Board to further ACCA\u2019s leadership in the contemporary arts ecology, with artists at the centre of our vision.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Laura commenced in the role of Executive Director in January 2026 following parental leave in 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Laura De Neefe completes ACCA\u2019s executive leadership team <\/strong>joining CEO and Artistic Director Myles Russell-Cook<\/strong>, along with ACCA Chair Dr Terry Wu<\/strong> and Board members Lisa Bowman, Maree Clarke, Elisa Clements, Charlotte Day, Lisa Fox, Patricia Piccinini,<\/strong> Sarah Lynn Rees, Dr Theresia Spencer<\/strong>, Gordon Thomson<\/strong> and John Tuck<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Australian Centre for Contemporary Art <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

111 Sturt Street, Southbank VIC 3006 <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Melbourne, Australia<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Opening hours: Tuesday \u2013 Friday 10am\u20135pm, Weekends 11am\u20135pm<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Free entry<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

acca.melbourne<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#ACCAMelbourne<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For further media information:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bridget Thompson<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Marketing & Digital Engagement Manager<\/p>\n\n\n\n

pr.marketing@acca.melbourne<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ACCA acknowledges the Wurundjeri Woiwurrung people as sovereign custodians of the land on which we work and welcome visitors, along with the neighbouring Boonwurrung, Bunurong, and wider Kulin Nation. We acknowledge their longstanding and continuing care for Country and we recognise First Peoples art and cultural practice has been thriving here for millennia. We extend our respect to ancestors and Elders past and present, and to all First Nations people<\/strong>
<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Wednesday 25 February, 2026: Dr Terry Wu, Chair, Australian Centre for Contemporary Art (ACCA) announced today Laura De Neefe appointed as ACCA Executive Director. Laura De Neefe is an arts leader who has spent over a decade contributing to the visual arts and cultural community of Naarm\/Melbourne. Her leadership is grounded in a deep commitment […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":0,"template":"","class_list":["post-54222","press_release","type-press_release","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/acca.melbourne\/api\/wp\/v2\/press_release\/54222","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/acca.melbourne\/api\/wp\/v2\/press_release"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/acca.melbourne\/api\/wp\/v2\/types\/press_release"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/acca.melbourne\/api\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=54222"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":54000,"date":"2026-01-29T16:30:48","date_gmt":"2026-01-29T05:30:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/acca.melbourne\/?post_type=press_release&p=54000"},"modified":"2026-01-29T16:30:49","modified_gmt":"2026-01-29T05:30:49","slug":"maree-clarke-lisa-bowman-and-elisa-clements-join-the-acca-board","status":"publish","type":"press_release","link":"https:\/\/acca.melbourne\/press_release\/maree-clarke-lisa-bowman-and-elisa-clements-join-the-acca-board\/","title":{"rendered":"Maree Clarke, Lisa Bowman and Elisa Clements join the ACCA Board"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Thursday 29 January: <\/strong>Dr Terry Wu, Chair of the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art, today announced the appointment of artist Maree Clarke<\/strong>, communications and governance specialist Lisa Bowman<\/strong>, and organisational development leader Elisa Clements<\/strong> to the ACCA Board.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maree Clarke is an internationally celebrated Yorta Yorta Wamba Wamba Mutti Mutti Boonwurrung artist dedicated to the revival and continuation of south-east Australian Aboriginal cultural practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Growing up in Mildura and now based in Naarm Melbourne, Clarke is widely recognised for her leadership in nurturing and promoting the diversity of contemporary south-east Aboriginal art. Known for her open and collaborative approach, she works across generations to revive dormant cultural knowledge and engages new audiences through innovative uses of technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Clarke has exhibited nationally and internationally, including the major survey exhibition Ancestral Memories at the National Gallery of Victoria in 2021. Recent commissions include projects for the Metro Tunnel, narrm ngarrgu Library, Footscray Hospital, and the City of Melbourne Stolen Generations Marker. She has undertaken artist residencies in Florence in 2024, and at the Museum of Glass in Tacoma and Pilchuck Glass School in the United States in 2023. Her accolades include the Melbourne Prize for Urban Sculpture in 2023 and the Australia Council Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Arts Fellowship in 2020.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lisa Bowman is a communications and community engagement specialist with extensive experience working across large scale government and private sector infrastructure development and digital transformation projects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Across her career, Bowman has led corporate affairs, issues management, communications, stakeholder engagement and media teams within complex operating environments. She is recognised for her ability to manage sensitive stakeholder and community issues and to develop reputation management strategies for both public and private sector organisations. Trained as a journalist, Bowman began her career in print and radio before moving into public relations and change management. She is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and has served on a number of boards across public health, transport and ex offender rehabilitation sectors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elisa Clements, Group Executive Talent and Culture at ANZ, brings more than 25 years\u2019 experience in organisational development across global organisations in banking, automotive, FMCG, pharmaceutical, and professional services sectors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to her current role, Clements was General Manager Talent and Culture for ANZ\u2019s Institutional Division, where she played a key role in a multi-year transformation across 21 geographies. She has held senior talent and culture roles across Corporate and Commercial Banking and Group Technology Services and Operations and was previously Human Resources Manager for Toyota. Her experience includes workforce strategy, leadership development, and cultural transformation within large scale institutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr Wu said Maree Clarke would bring significant cultural leadership to the ACCA Board, while Lisa Bowman and Elisa Clements would contribute deep organisational and communications expertise. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMaree is an internationally celebrated and highly respected Indigenous artist and cultural leader. Alongside our Artistic Director and CEO Myles Russell-Cook and ACCA Board Member Sarah Lynn Rees, and with the support of ACCA staff, Maree will play an important role in championing ACCA\u2019s Indigenous cultural strategy and ongoing engagement with First Nations communities.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cLisa brings highly developed governance, communications and stakeholder expertise. Her experience navigating complex public and private sector environments will strengthen the Board\u2019s oversight of reputation, community engagement and organisational accountability.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cElisa brings exceptional organisational development experience. Her leadership in talent and culture will support ACCA\u2019s artists and staff to realise their professional potential, particularly as the organisation continues to evolve.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTogether, Maree, Lisa and Elisa bring tremendous leadership and skill to the Board at a dynamic time for ACCA. With a vibrant program ahead under our Artistic Director and CEO, their contributions will be instrumental as we continue to champion artistic risk taking and cultural leadership,\u201d Dr Wu said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maree Clarke, Lisa Bowman<\/strong> and Elisa Clements <\/strong>join existing ACCA Board members Charlotte Day, Lisa Fox, Sarah Lynn Rees, Patricia Piccinini,<\/strong> Dr Theresia Spencer<\/strong>, John Tuck<\/strong> and Gordon Thomson<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Australian Centre for Contemporary Art <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

111 Sturt Street, Southbank VIC 3006 <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Melbourne, Australia<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Opening hours: Tuesday \u2013 Friday 10am\u20135pm, Weekends 11am\u20135pm<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Free entry<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

acca.melbourne<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#accamelbourne #alwaysNewalwaysNowalwaysFree<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For further media information:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bridget Thompson, Marketing & Digital Engagement Manager<\/p>\n\n\n\n

pr.marketing@acca.melbourne<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ACCA acknowledges the Wurundjeri Woiwurrung people as sovereign custodians of the land on which we work and welcome visitors, along with the neighbouring Boonwurrung, Bunurong, and wider Kulin Nation. We acknowledge their longstanding and continuing care for Country and we recognise First Peoples art and cultural practice has been thriving here for millennia. We extend our respect to ancestors and Elders past and present, and to all First Nations people.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Thursday 29 January: Dr Terry Wu, Chair of the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art, today announced the appointment of artist Maree Clarke, communications and governance specialist Lisa Bowman, and organisational development leader Elisa Clements to the ACCA Board. Maree Clarke is an internationally celebrated Yorta Yorta Wamba Wamba Mutti Mutti Boonwurrung artist dedicated to the revival and continuation of south-east […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":0,"template":"","class_list":["post-54000","press_release","type-press_release","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/acca.melbourne\/api\/wp\/v2\/press_release\/54000","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/acca.melbourne\/api\/wp\/v2\/press_release"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/acca.melbourne\/api\/wp\/v2\/types\/press_release"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/acca.melbourne\/api\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=54000"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":52946,"date":"2025-08-27T16:48:52","date_gmt":"2025-08-27T06:48:52","guid":{"rendered":""},"modified":"2025-08-27T16:48:53","modified_gmt":"2025-08-27T06:48:53","slug":"patricia-piccinini-and-dr-theresia-spencer-join-the-acca-board","status":"publish","type":"press_release","link":"https:\/\/acca.melbourne\/press_release\/patricia-piccinini-and-dr-theresia-spencer-join-the-acca-board\/","title":{"rendered":"Patricia<\/strong> Piccinini<\/strong> and Dr Theresia Spencer\u00a0join the ACCA Board"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Wednesday 27th<\/sup> August, 2025: Dr Terry Wu, Chair of The Australian Centre for Contemporary Art (ACCA) announced today that internationally renowned Australian artist ***Patricia^^^ ***Piccinini^^^ and arts advocate Dr Theresia Spencer have joined the ACCA Board","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Wednesday 27th August, 2025: Dr Terry Wu, Chair of The Australian Centre for Contemporary Art (ACCA) announced today that internationally renowned Australian artist ***Patricia^^^ ***Piccinini^^^ and arts advocate Dr Theresia Spencer have joined the ACCA Board<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":0,"template":"","class_list":["post-52946","press_release","type-press_release","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/acca.melbourne\/api\/wp\/v2\/press_release\/52946","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/acca.melbourne\/api\/wp\/v2\/press_release"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/acca.melbourne\/api\/wp\/v2\/types\/press_release"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/acca.melbourne\/api\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=52946"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":52945,"date":"2025-08-27T16:20:49","date_gmt":"2025-08-27T06:20:49","guid":{"rendered":""},"modified":"2025-08-27T16:20:50","modified_gmt":"2025-08-27T06:20:50","slug":"tschabalala-self-skin-tight","status":"publish","type":"press_release","link":"https:\/\/acca.melbourne\/press_release\/tschabalala-self-skin-tight\/","title":{"rendered":"Tschabalala<\/strong> Self<\/strong>: Skin tight"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the most-in-demand figurative painters working today, ***Tschabalala^^^ ***Self^^^\u2019s distinctive style combines fabric, collage and painting with innovative printing techniques and a steadfast focus on beauty","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

One of the most-in-demand figurative painters working today, ***Tschabalala^^^ ***Self^^^\u2019s distinctive style combines fabric, collage and painting with innovative printing techniques and a steadfast focus on beauty<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":0,"template":"","class_list":["post-52945","press_release","type-press_release","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/acca.melbourne\/api\/wp\/v2\/press_release\/52945","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/acca.melbourne\/api\/wp\/v2\/press_release"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/acca.melbourne\/api\/wp\/v2\/types\/press_release"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/acca.melbourne\/api\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=52945"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":52400,"date":"2025-06-25T13:22:42","date_gmt":"2025-06-25T03:22:42","guid":{"rendered":""},"modified":"2025-06-25T13:24:03","modified_gmt":"2025-06-25T03:24:03","slug":"five-acts-of-love","status":"publish","type":"press_release","link":"https:\/\/acca.melbourne\/press_release\/five-acts-of-love\/","title":{"rendered":"Five Acts of Love"},"content":{"rendered":":<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n