Max Delany announces plans to step down as ACCA Artistic Director & CEO in November
Announced today: ACCA Artistic Director and CEO Max Delany has shared his intention to step down from his role in November 2024 with ACCA’s Board and colleagues.
ACCA Chair Dr Terry Wu said Max’s contributions to ACCA have been immense and profound. “While we are all deeply saddened to hear this news, we know Max leaves ACCA in incredible shape after nine years delivering a dynamic and ambitious curatorial vision.
“Max’s time at ACCA is marked by many accomplishments. He has welcomed strong engagement with First Nations communities and programming, expanded the reach of our education programs, and embedded diverse artistic and curatorial voices in ACCA’s programs and vision,” he said.
Max took on the position of Artistic Director and CEO of ACCA in early 2016, following leadership roles at the National Gallery of Victoria, Monash University Museum of Art (MUMA) and Gertrude Contemporary. His achievements at ACCA are extensive, and include landmark exhibitions exploring contemporary art’s relation to wider social, cultural and political contexts, including Sovereignty, Unfinished Business: Perspectives on art and feminism, On Vulnerability and Doubt, and Who’s Afraid of Public Space?, among others.
“Throughout his time at ACCA, Max has amplified ACCA’s role as a leading platform for contemporary artists, delivering an influential commissions program, ambitious annual solo exhibition projects with Australian artists, and an annual series of major exhibitions which has seen the work of leading international artists shown here in Australia, often for the first time,” Terry said.
“Max has also been instrumental in embedding First Nations voice and self-determination through exhibitions such as Sovereignty, the Yalingwa series, and major solo projects with artists Yhonnie Scarce and Tennant Creek Brio (opening this September). Under his leadership, ACCA is also proud to have established a dedicated First Nations curatorial position, with Hannah Presley inaugurating the role in 2018, now held by Dr. Jessica Clark since 2022.”
Terry said Max is an unrivalled leader and community builder, and today ACCA has the support and involvement of an exceptionally dedicated group of artists, colleagues, donors and collaborators locally, nationally and internationally.
“Max’s enthusiasm and dedication to art and artists has never wavered, and we wish him the best of times as he embraces new horizons in the next chapter in his career,” Terry said.
Max Delany said: “It has been a privilege to lead ACCA over almost a decade. It has been an honour working with such an outstanding, dedicated, and inspiring team, and members of ACCA’s Board, whose vision, support and counsel has been courageous and unwavering, motivating and enabling. The work of artists lies at the heart of what we do, and I am immeasurably grateful for their collaboration and trust, and for the visionary, philosophical and transformational role that artists play in our society.
“ACCA’s role is amplified by dedicated philanthropy, and I extend sincere thanks and appreciation to our wonderful and loyal community of donors and supporters, and our government partners, who make such an important contribution to what we do.
“I’m proud of our collective achievements and remain confident and convinced of ACCA’s necessity, impact and potential in a rapidly and radically transforming world and cultural sector. Thank you to the many artists, colleagues, supporters, partners and friends who have guided, contributed to and supported ACCA over the past decade – more power to you!”
ACCA’s Board will begin the recruitment process for a new Artistic Director/CEO for ACCA shortly.
For further media information:
Katrina Hall, Publicity/Communications: 0421153046
Australian Centre for Contemporary Art
111 Sturt Street, Southbank VIC 3006
Melbourne, Australia
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