1284th Ordinary General Meeting and Open Lecture of the Royal Society of NSW
"Why Art Matters in Times of Crisis"
Elizabeth Ann Macgregor OBE FRSN, Director, Museum of Contemporary Art, Australia
https://royalsoc.org.au/blog/1284th-ogm-and-open-lecture

Timing Marks
00:00 Introduction: Emeritus Professor Ian Sloan AO FRSN FAA, President, Royal Society of NSW
02:15 Presentation: Elizabeth Ann Macgregor, Director, Museum of Contemporary Art, Australia
38:02 Q&A Session: Dr Susan Pond Am FRSN FTSE, Vice-President, Royal Society of NSW
53:21 Vote of Thanks: Ms Judith Wheeldon AM FRSN, Vice-President, Royal Society of NSW

Summary: Museums and galleries around the world have had to close their doors, turning to digital programs to stay connected with their audiences. News is dominated by the health crisis and the consequent financial issues. What role can museums and galleries play in these unsettling times where social distancing is the norm? MCA Director Elizabeth Ann Macgregor believes in the social impact of art and will outline how artists can play a critical role as we face the challenges of a changed world post crisis.

Elizabeth Ann Macgregor began her career as curator/driver of the Scottish Arts Council's Travelling Gallery. which ignited her commitment to engaging new audiences with the work of living artists. In 1989 she was appointed director of Ikon Gallery, Birmingham and in 1999 she took up the directorship of Sydney's Museum of Contemporary Art when it was facing significant challenges. To secure its future, she negotiated a new funding model with government, sponsors and philanthropists. Committed to supporting artists and expanding the audience for art, she has initiated a unique program of partnerships in Western Sydney. She successfully negotiated a $53m building redevelopment completed in 2012 which includes a National Centre for Creative Learning. Last year, the Museum attracted over a million visitors. Ms Macgregor’s innovation and contribution to the arts has been recognised with the Veuve Clicquot Business Woman Award in 2008 and the Australia Business Arts Foundation Business Leadership Award. In 2011 she received an OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List. In 2019 she was included in ArtReview’s International Power 100 list; she won the 'Arts & Culture Category' of the Australian Financial Review '100 Women of Influence Awards', and was awarded the Western Sydney Leadership Dialogue’s Patrons’ Prize for Collaboration. She sits on the Foundation of the Sydney Swans and the Board of UNICEF Australia.