Former Lord Mayor of Adelaide Sandy Verschoor has been appointed as the new chair of the Art Gallery of South Australia.
Her appointment will begin this month and be for a term of 3 years.
Ms Verschoor brings a wealth of experience to the role having been a leader in Adelaide’s arts and cultural sector for more than two decades.
As Lord Mayor, she led a Council focused on positioning Adelaide as the epicentre of arts and culture in Australia through curating unique experiences, events, performances and public art as well as supporting artists and makers to bring more arts and culture to the city, particularly throughout the pandemic.
Ms Verschoor has developed and delivered some of the most significant cultural events for the State including as CEO of the Adelaide Fringe and the Adelaide Festival and in 2018, she produced the Adelaide Festival of Ideas.
She also led the City of Adelaide’s ‘Splash Adelaide’ initiative as General Manager, which trialled the temporary closure of streets for street parties leading to popular events such as the Waymouth Street Party and East End Unleashed. She worked closely with former Labor Attorney-General John Rau on the introduction of small bars licences to bring city laneways to life.
Ms Verschoor’s appointment commences shortly before AGSA’s blockbuster exhibition Frida and Diego: Love & Revolution, which opens on 24 June 2023.
Quotes
Attributable to Andrea Michaels
I’m really looking forward to working with Sandy to attract new and innovative exhibitions, performances and events to the Art Gallery.
As a long-time cultural strategist, Sandy brings a great deal of artistic energy and insight to the role.
Her experience in curating and delivering events and festivals that draw people to our city and state will be a significant asset to the Art Gallery going forward.
Attributable to Sandy Verschoor, AGSA Chair
It’s an incredible privilege to be the next Chair of AGSA, which is without doubt, one of the city’s most loved and visited destinations, a cultural jewel of our city.
I very much look forward to working with the Minister, Board and the amazing and dedicated AGSA team led by Rhana Devenport.
Attributable to Rhana Devenport ONZM, AGSA Director
I warmly welcome and look forward to working closely with Sandy Verschoor, whose leadership in our State is the vastly respected, to progress the ambitions and strategic endeavours of the Art Gallery of South Australia for the benefit of all.
