Kirsten Paisley Appointed Director Of Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki

On April 9, Regional Facilities Auckland (RFA) announced the appointment of Kirsten Paisley as director of Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki. 

Paisley previously served as deputy director for the National Gallery of Australia in Canberra from 2015 to 2018. Prior to that, she spent eight years as the director of the Shepparton Art Museum, which she joined in 2007. The RFA selected Paisley for the role after an international search, noting in the press release that the public organization was impressed by her significant experience leading new initiatives, developing exhibition and commission programs, and fundraising at Australian museums and contemporary art spaces. RFA CEO Chris Brooks added, “[Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki is] geared for growth, and Kirsten will provide the strategic insight and impetus to accelerate that growth.”

Paisley commented on her appointment: “I am looking forward to taking the Gallery forward into a new phase of exceptional exhibition and public programming, growing our audiences and the depth and quality of engagement, and providing even more opportunities for artists to thrive and shine. Together, we will create the platform for relevant, energetic, cultural and social discourse for Auckland, characterised by diversity, global connectivity and a spirit of curiosity and, importantly, good fun.”

Paisley replaces Gregory Burke, who was appointed to the position at Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki in December 2018 and set to start in April. He withdrew from the role in March, amid an allegation of workplace harassment that his accuser claims had occurred in 2013 while he was chief executive of the Mendel Art Gallery in Saskatoon. Burke told the New Zealand Herald that he wished to focus on “[clearing] any speculation of wrongdoing.”

Paisley will commence her role at Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki on May 1.

Ophelia Lai is ArtAsiaPacific’s reviews editor.

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