Cherie McNair: Supporting Statement for Nomination Please accept this supporting statement for my nomination on the Board of ICOM for a 2year period commencing at the 2018 AGM. I have been an Executive Board Member of ICOM for 12 months and transferred my membership from a UK Membership to an Australian on my return to Australia in 2015/16. I have been an ICOM Member for a majority of my career and was first introduced to the concept as a Museum Studies Student at Deakin University. I have particularly enjoyed my time with ICOM over the past year with involvement in International Committees research, leading the International Museum Day working group and roll out of activity nationally, participation on the Awards working group and Partnerships working group. I’m a firm believer in participation when joining boards and believe I have general suitability for the Executive Committee of ICOM. I can commit to a 2 year term and can attest to my commitment to the Code of Ethics and the inherent value a membership of an organisation like ICOM has I have worked in museums and galleries for my entire career. I commenced volunteering at the Monash Gallery of Art at 16 years of age and continued to make a career in the industry. I have held numerous positons in regional, state and international museums, focused towards programs and development, strategy and delivery. I have successfully worked with the talented teams across multiple specialist areas at the National Gallery of Victoria, Victoria and Albert Museum, Tate, National Museums Scotland and Sydney Living Museums. I have delivered successful projects working with partners locally (Australia and in the UK) and internationally, which is where the work of ICOM Australia is particularly relevant. I bring to ICOM my experience in the process of development and translation of strategic planning, business planning and the overall understanding of museum process. This can translate intodeveloping strategies for an increase in engagement at grass roots level. I have dedicated my career to working with the amazing collections held by museums the world over and find personal inspiration in working with knowledgeable colleagues. I have spent the last twelve years working across an international program of multi-specialist and externally focused programmes. This has allowed me to develop extensive contacts in the museums and cultural sector and to maintain an open network to capitalise on opportunities and collaborations for ICOM. My previous role at Tate was externally focused and driven by soft diplomacy aims for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Department for Media, Communication and Sport. This included working closely with Immunity from Seizure legislation and broader topics on transference of cultural material, all of which ICOM plays a significant role. I believe it is important for Australia to have a voice and adequately represent its membership in these international conversations. ICOM is an important funnel for international conversations on issues facing the sector and involvement at a local level. Cherie McNair Education RMIT (Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology) Masters of International Development, commencing off-campus, part time 2015 (Law, Economics, Governance completed in 2015) (deferred) Macquarie University - Graduate School of Business Museum Leadership Program, 2009 - 2009 Monash University MA, Gallery and Museum Studies, 2000 – 2001 Curatorial and Collections Management Deakin University Post Grad Dip, Museum Studies, 2003 – 2003 Marketing, Management and Project Management Monash University Grad Dip, Art History and Film Studies, 2000 - 2001 Deakin University Bachelor of Arts 1997 – 1999 (Media Arts/Art History) Experience Australian Centre for Photography Director and CEO February 2017 – Present Day The Australian Centre for Photography (ACP) is the leading institution in Australia dedicated to the art of photography and photo media. The ACP is a not for profit organisation. Since 1974, the ACP has been a creative force in the cultural life of Australia, presenting the work of dynamic and diverse artists. The ACP presented the first major retrospectives of photographs by Max Dupain, Olive Cotton and Mervyn Bishop as well as the early exhibitions of works by Bill Henson, William Yang, Tracey Moffatt and Trent Parke. The exhibitions, education and community programs provide opportunities foraudiences and peers to engage in a dynamic conversation about the significanceof images, both past and present, within contemporary culture. The ACP holds at its core the vital contribution of artists and photographers in distillingand reflecting upon society, displaying a pluralism of perspectives and a breadthof artistic practice. In the role of Director, I set the artistic direction and serve as the chief executive officer of the ACP and reports to the Board. I am acountable for the efficient and effective management of the organisation in order to deliver outcomes that contribute to the achievement of the objectives as outlined in the Strategic/Business Plan. My responsibilities, as part of the leadership of the ACP’s activities, include administration, personnel,business affairs and external engagement as well as ensuring appropriate governance frameworks and allstatutory obligations are met. Over the past 12 moths, I have focused on: • building external support and growing the profile of ACP • increasing exhibition visitation and public engagement • ensuring financial stability and sustainability Queensland Museum Network Head of Exhibitions and Creative Services March 2016- February 2017 (12 month contract) The Queensland Museum is a statutory authority of Arts Queensland, governed by a Board of Trustees under the provisions of the Queensland Museum Act 1970 and is custodian of the state’s natural and cultural heritage, caring for more than a million items and specimens in collectionsthat tell the changing story of Queensland. I am responsible for the overall direction and implementation of the exhibitions and displays programs across the Queensland Museums network (Southbank including Sciencentre, Cobb+Co Toowoomba, The Workshops Rail Museum Ipswich and Museum of Tropical Queensland Townsville). I initiate and facilitate key partnerships for the organisation across the network to ensure the fulfilment of the strategic objectives of the network, meet revenue targets and to build and sustain audiences across Queensland. I have oversight over the quality of outputs across the network and provide strategic oversight across capital developments, major refurbishments and the future exhibitions, displays and public program. - 8 direct reports (Exhibition Managers, 3D design, Exhibition Workshop,Department Administrator, Regional Campus Managers) - Budget responsibility $1 million for Business as usual - Project Budget Responsibility in excess of $26million - Redeveloped policies and procedures across each of the managed areas, including financial process (in consultation with CFO). - Manage team (36 staff, geographically spread across QLD) through change management and low morale following a major restructure. - Represented the museum at conferences and events (Cairns Indigenous Art Fair 2016, NAME conference 2016, International Exhibitions Organisers eta 2017) - Delivered a program across 4 sites. (Toowoomba, Townsville, Ipswich and Brisbane) - I developed, presented and led on plans and strategies in areas of audience development and profile. I implemented and advocated best practice for the present museum campus and interdisciplinary program and beyond the current major project and future master plan. - Project Director for major refurbishments across each campus, including first major exhibition in Townsville and Arts Queensland funded redevelopment projects within the Southbank Campus - Manage Work Place Health and Safety and Risk Management for Department and relevant work programs and spaces (including 4 technical workshops) Consultancy: Sydney Living Museums Project Manager – Protecting National Heritage Sites Program Hyde Park Barracks & First Government House July 2015 – Feb 2016 These two strategic projects were federally funded through the Protecting National Heritage Sites Program. Both projects were focused on the development of Conservation management plans, reinterpretation and renewed design followed detailed audience research at both sites. Key achievements: Completed full tender process and appointment of Audience Research Consultancy and full tender process and appointment of Conservation Management Architects. United Kingdom 2011-2014 United Kingdom: A Tier 1 Visa holder, I was considered self-sponsored, I undertook a number of short term or contract positions due to the visa approval process. As such I gained a lot of experience with a variety of organisations. National Museums Scotland, Edinburgh Head of Exhibitions and Design December 2013 – October 2014 (interim post for remainder of Visa) National Museums Scotland cares for museum collections of national and international importance, presenting and interpreting them for a broad audience. This post provided vision and leadership for the exhibitions programme, permanent displays projects, gallery maintenance and all design projects across National Museums Scotland, with the main aim of attracting and inspiring audiences. Managing a team of over 20 staff across Design (2D, 3D and print), Technical, Exhibitions and Displays, the role had a significant focus on change management following