Home of the Arts (HOTA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Susi Muddiman OAM as the Director of Gallery and Visual Arts. With a career spanning over 20 years in leadership roles within regional galleries, Susi brings a wealth of experience and a passionate commitment to the arts to her new position. Currently serving as the Director of the Tweed Regional Gallery and Margaret Olley Art Centre, Susi has made a significant impact on the Australian gallery sector.
Susi’s journey in the arts leadership began in 2007 when she assumed the role of Director at the Tweed Regional Gallery. She continued to make her mark by also taking charge of the Margaret Olley Art Centre. Prior to this, she held leadership positions at the Wagga Wagga Art Gallery and Grafton Regional Gallery. Her extensive career in the gallery sector has made her a highly respected figure with a deep-rooted interest in promoting visual arts and a steadfast commitment to enhancing gallery performance.
One of Susi’s most remarkable undertakings is her role as the Director of the Tweed Regional Gallery, a position she has held for over a decade. Her dedication and visionary approach have been instrumental in shaping the gallery’s success and reputation.
The HOTA Gallery, known for its award-winning design, is the largest regional gallery in Australia. It opened its doors to great acclaim in May 2021, and since then, it has been a hub for a diverse range of exhibitions across five world-class gallery spaces, attracting nearly 500,000 visitors.
Mayor Tom Tate expressed his enthusiasm for Susi’s appointment, stating, “We look forward to welcoming Susi to the Gold Coast, and we are sure she will make a significant contribution to the continual development of our arts and culture through her leadership of the HOTA Gallery.”
Susi’s appointment comes at a pivotal phase of growth for HOTA as it moves closer to becoming a part of Experience Gold Coast (EGC), a new entity with a focus on cultural tourism. Rob Borbidge, Chair of EGC, expressed confidence in Susi’s ability to guide the gallery through ambitious initiatives that will contribute to the city’s cultural tourism efforts.
Mik Auckland, HOTA’s Interim CEO, praised Susi’s qualifications, saying, “Susi brings an enviable track record of curatorial expertise and passion, which combined with her collection management and gallery operations experience, made her a perfect fit for HOTA. I know she will quickly become an integral member of the HOTA family, and we can’t wait to welcome her to our Home of The Arts.”
Susi Muddiman herself expressed her excitement about the new role, stating, “I am thrilled to accept this exciting role and look forward to building on HOTA Gallery’s stellar reputation and program. I’m a fan and have been a regular visitor to the HOTA Precinct, and now I can’t wait to work with such a dynamic team.”
Susi Muddiman, with her impressive qualifications and passion for the arts, emerged as a standout applicant in a competitive field of candidates from across Australia. She is set to formally commence her role as Director, Gallery and Visual Arts at HOTA on 13 November 2023, marking a new chapter in the gallery’s journey of artistic excellence and cultural enrichment.
