Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Chansey Paech has announced the appointment of a Senior Director to lead the delivery of the National Aboriginal Art Gallery.
Tracy Puklowski will take up the role on 24 May 2021.
Ms Puklowski will be responsible for leading a project team of five officers with various skills across curatorial, engagement and project management. She will also provide input into the design of the art gallery; develop content and programming; and engage with stakeholders in Alice Springs, and nationally, to ensure the ongoing success of the gallery.
Ms Puklowski has extensive knowledge about the arts, museum and culture sectors, demonstrated throughout her career which includes senior roles at museums, libraries and archives across New Zealand and in Australia.
Most recently, Ms Puklowski served as the General Manager of Creative Arts and Cultural Services at the City of Launceston, a major portfolio which included directing the Queen Victoria Museum and Gallery and developing a ground-breaking cultural strategy for the City of Launceston.
Ms Puklowksi holds a Master of Arts with Honours in Art History, which included studies in Australian Art, and postgraduate qualifications in Museum Studies. In 2009, she was accepted into the highly competitive Museum Leadership Institute program run by the Getty Foundation in Los Angeles.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Chansey Paech:
"The National Aboriginal Art Gallery will be a world-class facility that will showcase and celebrate Aboriginal art and culture; attract national and international visitors to Central Australia; create local jobs; boost economic growth; and deliver wide-ranging social benefits to the region.
"We welcome Ms Puklowski to the Territory and look forward to her hitting the ground running to oversee this game-changing project.
"Ms Puklowski has an incredible wealth of knowledge, experience and personal passion for the arts which will ensure the successful delivery of the NAAG."
Quotes attributable to Tracy Puklowski - Senior Director National Aboriginal Art Gallery:
"The events of 2020 reminded us all of the power of art to bring communities together and provide space for healing.
"I commend the Northern Territory Government for having a vision that puts Indigenous art and knowledge at the heart of Mparntwe, and indeed the country.
"The role of arts and culture in promoting better social, cultural, economic and community outcomes, and as a force for truth telling and healing, is something very close to my heart. The opportunity to drive this project is an honour and a privilege."
