News that after only two years, Kirsty Grant is to step down as director and CEO of Heide.

Press release

After two years in the role of Director and CEO of Heide Museum of Modern Art, Kirsty Grant will step down from the position in December 2016 in order to focus on freelance art and curatorial projects.

At Heide, Kirsty has overseen a series of acclaimed exhibitions including Colour Sensation: The Works of Melinda Harper, Aleks Danko: My Fellow Aus-tra-aliens and the forthcoming O’Keeffe, Preston, Cossington Smith: Making Modernism.

Prior to joining Heide, Kirsty held curatorial positions at the National Gallery of Victoria and the Queensland Art Gallery. In her previous role as Senior Curator of Australian Art at the NGV, Kirsty curated major retrospective exhibitions on the work of artists including John Brack and Robert Jacks, as well as the 2014 exhibition, Mid-Century Modern: Australian Furniture Design.

The Chair of Heide’s Board of Directors, Steven Skala AO, said today:  “Kirsty has brought substantial organizational and cultural leadership to Heide, as well as a great breadth of knowledge of Australian art. On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank Kirsty for her contribution to the development of the museum and its inspiring exhibitions, publications and educational programs. Kirsty is highly regarded by Heide’s Board, staff and volunteers as well as externally, and while we are sorry to see her leave at this time, we wish her every success as she pursues new curatorial and creative opportunities.”

Kirsty said: “Heide is an important part of Melbourne’s cultural landscape with a unique history and a national and growing international reputation for artistic excellence and scholarship. It has been a privilege to work here over the past two years and I would like to acknowledge my colleagues at Heide for their extraordinary passion and commitment.  I am also very grateful to the Heide Board for its leadership and support.”

The Board of Directors of Heide Museum of Modern Art will begin the recruitment process for a new Director and CEO shortly.