Congratulations to Dr Rebecca Coates who has been appointed Acting Director at SAM (Shepparton Art Museum).
New Acting Director SAM, Dr Rebecca Coates and Greater Shepparton City Council Director Community Kaye Thomson.
The Greater Shepparton City Council announced the appointment with Community Director Kaye Thomson saying that, ‘To attract someone with Rebecca’s experience and knowledge is a coup for the museum. We look forward to Rebecca’s input and guidance whilst we commence the recruitment process for a permanent SAM Director.’
Dr Coates is an established curator, writer and lecturer, with over twenty years experience working for art museums and galleries in Australia and overseas. She is currently a Lecturer at the University of Melbourne in Art History and Art Curatorship and has a PhD in Art History. She has previously worked for the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art; the Melbourne International Arts Festival; the Museum of Modern Art, Oxford; and, the National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne. In these roles Dr Coates has curated numerous exhibitions, and edited and contributed to exhibition publications. She is also a regular commentator on art, writing on contemporary art and theory, curatorial practice, and art in the public realm, for art magazines and journals including Art & Australia, Eyeline, Art World, Art Monthly Australia, un magazine, Broadsheet as well as publishing academic research in refereed journals. She is also a member of several advisory boards and has experience working with philanthropic, business and government sectors and on panels and public forums.
Rebecca Coates on her new position at SAM
“It’s a great institution, with a strong team of staff and supporters. SAM has presented a really interesting and dynamic series of contemporary and historic exhibitions over the last number of years,” said Dr Coates.
“SAM is at an exciting point in its development. It’s known for its collection focus on ceramics, and has exciting plans for a new building. This is a significant opportunity to continue to work with the Greater Shepparton community to ensure SAM’s central place and role in this region. I look forward to working with the SAM staff and wider team at this dynamic point in SAM’s development.”