New Director brings advocacy power to Ipswich Art Gallery
07 February 2023
The future of the city’s Art Gallery, Community Gallery and curated public art is in experienced and innovative hands with Claire Sourgnes appointed as the new Director of the Ipswich Art Gallery.
Community, Culture, Arts and Sport Committee Chairperson Councillor Andrew Fechner said Ms Sourgnes had more than 20 years’ experience across cultural roles in Berlin, Canberra and Brisbane.
“Following a national recruitment process undertaken by council, which presented several excellent candidates, Claire’s experience, professionalism and passion stood out,” Cr Fechner said.
“Claire was most recently CEO of Artisan, a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to supporting contemporary craft and design practice for both makers and their audiences.
“Claire also holds important advocacy positions as co-President of Public Galleries Queensland and co-Chair of the Australian Craft and Design Centres Network.”
Ms Sourgnes started as Director of the Ipswich Art Gallery on 2 February and will focus on delivering an innovative and diverse visual arts program to excite and support local artists and our community.
“After six years as CEO of Artisan I am honoured to commence my new role as Director of Ipswich Art Gallery, which is one of the most visited regional art galleries in Australia,” Ms Sourgnes said.
“The city already has such a wonderful gallery, and I am excited to be working for council to amplify the role local art and culture plays in being a powerful tool to learn, exchange and evolve.”
Ms Sourgnes has taken over from Hannah Attwood, who had assumed the position in a caretaking capacity upon the departure of the previous Director Michael Beckman.
The Ipswich Art Gallery is a visual arts and social history museum that presents a dynamic program of exhibitions and heritage displays with complementary workshops, performances and an extensive program for children and families.
Occupying a beautifully restored heritage building in Ipswich Central that was the first town hall built in Queensland, the gallery has an enviable collection of over 2,000 works.
The gallery has constantly changing exhibitions with local artists on show alongside contemporary and historically significant artists such as Margaret Olley, Ben Quilty and William Robinson.
The gallery is renowned for its school holiday programs, children’s exhibitions and performances in The Children’s Gallery, which was Australia’s first permanent interactive gallery space for under-12s.
Located in d’Arcy Doyle Place, The Ipswich Art Gallery is open 10am to 5pm every day excluding public holidays.