Annette Pitman appointed new Chief Executive Museums of History

Outgoing head of the state government’s arts agency Create NSW, Annette Pitman, has been named as the new Chief Executive of Museums of History NSW.

Established in December 2022, Museums of History NSW is a state cultural institution bringing together the historic houses, museums and collections previously in the care of Sydney Living Museums with the vast archives and records in the NSW State Archives Collection.

As an accomplished arts and culture leader, Pitman is the fourth leader of  Museums of History NSW since the institution was formed two years ago from the merger of 12 house museums and the state’s $1 billion archives.

As Chief Executive of Create NSW for the last two and a half years, Pitman led the revitalisation of Sydney’s Walsh Bay Arts Precinct, The Gunnery and many other significant cultural spaces and oversaw the development of the state’s first Arts, Culture and Creative Industries policy, Creative Communities.

Pitman has also been one of the key drivers of the $915 million Parramatta Powerhouse Museum, and leaves at a critical juncture for that project.

NSW Minister for the Arts John Graham said Pitman brings a breadth of experience in heritage preservation, activation and storytelling across public, private and not-for-profit sectors to the role.

With a proven track record in arts, heritage and cultural leadership, Pitman is well equipped to elevate Museums of History NSW in its mission to preserve and share the stories of our state through places, collections and archives.

Minister Graham noted “The Museums of History NSW has an important role to play in collecting and celebrating our state’s cultural history across the vast archives and records, historic houses, museums and collections previously in the care of the Sydney Living Museums.

“I would like to congratulate Annette on her appointment to the role. I look forward to working together to deliver on the Government’s priorities for the sector and people of NSW.

“I am excited about the next chapter of this important organisation under Annette’s leadership, leveraging the successes and partnerships she has built across the NSW creative sector to further the mission of Museums of History.”

“I would also like to thank Mary Darwell for acting in the role for the past sixteen months, and commend her for the excellent contribution she made during her interim tenure. Mary led with care and integrity during Museums of History NSW’s important establishment phase, placing the community at the heart of its work. She leaves a substantial legacy."

Pitman will commence in the role on 14th October, 2024.

The turnover of leaders in the arts sector in the past five weeks has caused some commentators to dub this culture’s killing season.

Image. Annette Pitman. Credit: NSW Government