GOVERNANCE
Most people know me from the art world; actually my family were in finance, so I was entirely confident about being freelance and seeking projects internationally.
From an early age I learnt about business; my dad was a director at arts philanthropist Sir Ian Potter’s well-known investment firm so he was always discussing the work he was doing for clients like the NGV or John and Sunday Reed, the key supporters of modern art at that time. The business side of things was just there in the background so I guess it rubbed off, well before I went to art school. It’s certainly helped in terms of keeping everything moving and importantly, balancing the books. These days I provide consultancies to museums and collections, though most of what people are aware of relates to my curated projects and writing. I’m as much at ease in the board room as I am on the gallery floor.
Damian Smith
Damian Smith is an experienced arts focused not-for-profit Board member. He has served as Secretary for AICA Australia, the UNESCO sponsored International Association of Art Critics and as Vice-President of the Public Galleries Association of Victoria (PGAV).
The International Association of Art Critics (AICA) is a NGO, founded in 1950 under the patronage of UNESCO. The objective of AICA is to support art criticism in all its forms worldwide and to keep pace with its changing disciplines. AICA’s head office, located in Paris, represents and promotes the activities of the Association’s 4,500 members, grouped into 63 different Sections, throughout the world. As Secretary of AICA Australia Dr Smith was instrumental in establishing AICA Australia as an incorporated association.
The PGAV is the peak body for public art galleries in Victoria. As PGAV Vice President, Dr Smith played a key role in the funding and delivery of free open days across 50 public galleries throughout Victoria. The project was launched by the Honorable Mary Delahunty MLA, Minister for the Arts, Women’s Affairs and Planning.
Dr Smith is the current President of the Australian Chinese Art Research Institute and Director of the Australasian Cultural Arts Exchange.