Museum of Contemporary Art Australia (MCA) appoints new director

The Board of the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia (MCA) has announced that Suzanne Cotter will take over direction of the Museum from longstanding director Elizabeth Ann Macgregor OBE in January 2022.

An internationally respected museum director with more than 30 years’ experience, Cotter will return to Australian home turf from her current position as Director of the Musée d’Art Moderne Grand-Duc Jean (MUDAM), Luxembourg, to take up the appointment.

During her distinguished career, Cotter has served as Director of the Museum of Contemporary Art of the Serralves Foundation in Porto (Portugal), Curator for the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation New York, and Deputy Director and Curator at Large of Modern Art Oxford (UK). Her co-curation of the 10th Sharjah Biennial in the United Arab Emirates in 2011 received the Alice Award Artistic Landmarks in Contemporary Experience for Best Biennial.

Cotter additionally serves on numerous international contemporary art panels, juries, and boards, including as Secretary General of the Board of CIMAM (International Committee for Modern and Contemporary Art Museums). In 2005, she was awarded the Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French government for her contribution to culture through her curatorial work.

“We are thrilled that an Australian of Suzanne’s calibre will be returning to our shores to lead the MCA’s exciting next chapter,” said Lorraine Tarabay, Chairman of the MCA Board of Directors.

“The Board was impressed by Suzanne’s depth and breadth of experience, international networks, extensive expertise in dealing with multiple stakeholders and her demonstrated capacity for artistic and strategic vision, ideally placing her to lead the Museum at this critical time.”

For her part, Cotter expressed excitement about the appointment, saying, “I am inspired by the MCA and its collection, exhibition and social impact programs, its commitment to living artists, particularly the work of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists, and to the importance of art in the lives of everyone.”

“I am honoured to have been given the opportunity to lead the MCA’s exceptional team and to participate in shaping the Museum’s future.”

This article was originally published 23 July 2021.

Image: Suzanne Cotter. Courtesy: Marion Dessard/MUDAM Luxembourg.