Australia Council applauds visual arts icons Professor Terry Smith and Elizabeth Ann Macgregor
Contemporary art theorist Terry Smith and distinguished art director Elizabeth Ann Macgregor are being honoured for their innovative and meaningful contribution to Australian visual arts and culture, receiving the Australia Council Visual Arts Award and Medal respectively.
Parliamentary Secretary for the Prime Minister, Senator Kate Lundy will present the awards at a ceremony this afternoon at the National Gallery, Canberra.
Formerly titled the Australia Council Emeritus Award, the Australia Council Visual Arts Award and Medal is an annual recognition of outstanding contributors to Australian visual arts culture.
Professor Terry Smith will receive $40,000 for his role as a respected critic, theorist and historian of Australian art within Australia and overseas, contributing to contemporary art theory and further advancing the reputation of the Australian artistic sector.
Elizabeth Ann Macgregor will receive $10,000 for her instrumental leadership as the Director of the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) and her achievements in the encouragement of Australian visual arts both at home and abroad.
Professor Ted Snell, Chair of the Australia Council Visual Arts Board said: ‘I want to congratulate Terry and Elizabeth Ann for their great contributions to Australian visual arts. Not only do these prestigious awards recognise and thank these two remarkable people for their ground breaking work, they highlight how much we as a nation value our artists and our arts leaders.”
A prolific critical writer and theorist, Professor Smith’s career spans over forty years, with his first marks made as an art critic for Australian publications the Weekend Australian and the Nation Review. In the early 1990’s, he was a pioneer and director of The Power Institute, the foundation for art and visual culture at the University of Sydney.
As an art critic and writer, Professor Smith authored and collaborated on several books addressing controversial arts topics. His latest book What is Contemporary Art?, examines the growing separation between modern and contemporary art. He is currently working on a new book, Contemporary Art: World Currents - the first survey of global contemporary art, and includes significant representation of Australian artists. It will be published in August.
“Terry tackles very controversial issues and provides new insights into the work of artists and their impact on our world,” said Professor Snell.
The award recognises Professor Smith for his ambassadorial work overseas and his extensive research and development of art theories.
In 2001, Professor Smith represented Australia as a Getty Scholar at the Getty Research Institute, Los Angeles. He is currently a Mellon Professor of contemporary art history and theory at the University of Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, USA. In Australia, Professor Smith worked as a Visiting Professor at Sydney University for the past five years. He is currently a Distinguished Visiting Professor, National Institute for Experimental Arts, College of Fine Arts, University of New South Wales, Sydney.
Also receiving accolades today, Elizabeth Ann Macgregor has tirelessly worked to broaden audiences and make art accessible to all since her arrival in Australia from the UK in 1999. Director of The Sydney’s Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) and a prominent advocate of Australian-grown contemporary art, Elizabeth Ann pioneered free entry into the MCA, with a dramatic increase of attendances since its introduction.
The award celebrates Ms Macgregor’s impact on Australian art culture, reflecting on her great contribution to public debate on arts issues and her advocacy of access to art for all.
Australia Council Chief Executive Officer, Kathy Keele said the awards reflected the profound impact Elizabeth Ann Macgregor and Professor Smith have had on Australia’s visual arts.
“Elizabeth has made a resounding impact upon the appreciation of art in Australia and Terry’s work has greatly impacted the visual arts, not only here, but internationally,” she said. “The Australian art environment is so enriched by leaders such as Elizabeth Ann and Terry, it is a pleasure to present the award to such deserving recipients,” Ms Keele said.
Media contact:
02 9215 9008
Tagged:
Social media