Newcastle Museum Director Julie Baird will take the reins of one of Australia's peak cultural bodies after being named President of the Australian Museums and Galleries Association (AMaGA) last night.
It is a landmark achievement for Ms Baird, who becomes the first person from a Local Government funded museum to be elected to the top job of the national council. She is also the first President from a regional area, who works outside a state or federal capital city.
City of Newcastle's Director Museum Archive Libraries and Learning, Julie Baird, at the Newcastle Museum.
City of Newcastle's Executive Director of Creative and Community Services Alissa Jones said the appointment reflects Ms Baird's expertise and dedication to the Australian galleries, libraries, archives and museums sector.
"Julie's appointment is a fitting recognition of her visionary and strategic leadership, which has been shaped by more than 35 years of experience in cultural institutions, museums and collections across Australia and internationally," Ms Jones said.
"Her proven ability to develop bold strategic visions, foster innovative partnerships and lead diverse teams has resulted in successful and award-winning exhibitions, programs, and community engagement.
"This is a significant leadership position in the sector and a ringing endorsement from the peak body of Novocastrian talent."
Ms Baird previously served as the Vice President of AMaGA from 2021-2025 and has been a member of the Create NSW Artform Assessment Board Museums and History since 2019, for which she was appointed Chair in 2023.
She will continue as City of Newcastle's Director of Museum, Archive, Libraries and Learning while undertaking AMaGA's voluntary national role during the next two years.
Ms Baird said she was excited and humbled by her appointment and the opportunity it provided to represent the sector.
"To have Newcastle Museum's achievements and status as an innovative and integral part of our city and museum industry acknowledged at a national level by my appointment is an incredible honour," Ms Baird said.
"This provides an invaluable opportunity to lead the national discussion on the issues and conditions affecting our museums and galleries, and the communities we serve.
"Almost 50% of AMaGA's membership is made up of small to medium organisations that are either run by volunteers or with very few staff.
"The national council seeks to understand how best to support these organisations to be sustainable on many levels, including financial, business, tourism and environmental sustainability and support for people.
"I am thrilled to be the first regionally based Director, and the first from a Local Government-funded museum, to hold this role, and believe this appointment recognises the vital role these institutions play in shaping our national cultural landscape."
Museums & Galleries of NSW CEO Brett Adlington congratulated Ms Baird on her appointment.
"Museums & Galleries of NSW are delighted to learn of the appointment of Julie Baird as President of AMaGA National Council," he said.
"Julie brings an incredible depth of understanding of the sector, most specifically her years' of experience living and working outside the capital cities.
"We congratulate Julie as the first President of AMaGA from outside metropolitan Australia; a region that plays a vital role in supporting the careers of arts and cultural workers, while also contributing to the telling and holding of our local stories."
AMaGA encompasses a diverse range of national, state, regional and community museums, galleries, historic sites, botanic and zoological gardens, research centres, Indigenous cultural centres, and Keeping Places across Australia.
