Artspace announces the departure of Michelle Newton, Interim Executive Director

Michelle joined Artspace in 2012 as Deputy Director and has served as Interim Executive Director since May 2024. Her contributions to the organisation over more than a decade have been transformative. Her legacy includes the leadership role she played in the landmark redevelopment of The Gunnery which has helped reposition Artspace as a leading institution for contemporary art in Australia. Having expertly overseen programming, strategic planning, fundraising, financial management and workplace culture over many years, Michelle has recently taken on the additional responsibility of successfully leading the organisation through a significant period of change. 

She has played a key role in leading Artspace’s artistic program including international commissions and the curated rent-free residency program for artists. A strong advocate of inclusive, artist- and community-centred initiatives, she has championed First Nations artists and communities, introduced a multi-platform programming model and encouraged fresh and diverse voices into the heart of the organisation. Her curatorial projects include Jonathan Jones: untitled (transcriptions of country) 2021–23, Taloi Havini’s Reclamation, 2020, and Angelica Mesiti’s Relay League, 2017, among others.

Artspace Chair Lisa Chung said
'Michelle’s contributions to Artspace over the past decade have been immense. She brings a rare blend of creative insight, strategic acumen, and deep cultural engagement. Michelle has played a pivotal role in driving and realising Artspace’s long-term vision, including in relation to the transformation of The Gunnery, elevating Artspace’s capacity to support artists and communities through our studio, exhibition and public programs.

Artspace is now strongly positioned to enter its next phase. We extend our deepest thanks and warmest wishes to Michelle as she embraces new opportunities in this next chapter of her career. 

As Michelle departs Artspace, we warmly welcome Victor Wang who commences as Executive Director from 4 July 2025, following his appointment announced earlier this year.'

Michelle Newton said
'It has been a privilege to lead Artspace over the past decade alongside former Executive Director, Alexie Glass-Kantor, and an exceptional team of colleagues. The extraordinary opportunity to reimagine the organisation—both its physical spaces and its programs—has been a career highlight. The transformation of The Gunnery was more than a capital works project; it was about rethinking how Artspace could support artists and build communities into the future. 

Artspace has always been artist-led—a meeting place, a community resource, a cultural partner, a catalyst for risk and experimentation. In my leadership roles, I have sought to create space for artists to realise their visions and to facilitate vital, often challenging conversations about how art can reshape the world around us. 

I am hugely grateful to the artists I’ve had the privilege to work with. Their fearless pursuit of new ideas and ways of remaking the world continue to inspire me.

I extend my sincere thanks and appreciation to our wonderful community of benefactors and government partners who have made Artspace’s ambitions possible through their generous support.

I thank the many dedicated members of Artspace’s board who have championed the organisation over the past decade.

I’m proud of our collective achievements and remain confident that Artspace will continue to be a vital cultural force. Thank you to the many artists, colleagues, supporters, partners and friends who have guided, contributed to and supported Artspace over the past decade.'