Biennale of Sydney reveals two new board members

The Asia-Pacific’s leading contemporary art event, the Biennale of Sydney, has announced that two new members are to join its Board of Directors.

In welcoming new Directors Danielle Earp and Naseema Sparks to the Board, Biennale of Sydney Chairman Kate Mills advised “these appointments provide additional experience and expertise to the organisation, complementing a strong group of existing directors and the leadership team.

“The knowledge and networks our new directors provide will support new strategic initiatives and strengthen the organisation’s connections within the visual arts sector.

“As the Biennale of Sydney plans its 21st edition in 2018, I am tremendously excited that our organisation will benefit from the added capabilities these new directors bring.”

Mills also paid tribute to the decade-long contribution of departing Board member, Michael Whitworth, adding “Michael made an exceptional contribution through five Biennale exhibition cycles; as a member of the governing board, a committee chairman and a private supporter.

“The entire Board and management team thank him for his passionate and ongoing commitment to the Biennale of Sydney.”

Naseema Sparks is one of Australia’s most senior businesswomen. With over 20 years in the advertising and marketing industry, most recently as Managing Director and Global Partner of

M&C Saatchi, she has a background in management, corporate strategy, marketing and branding, digital technology and transformation in Australia, the UK and Europe.

Sparks currently serves on the boards of several public companies listed on the Australian Stock Exchange as well as several emerging tech companies such as the video production platform Genero.tv.

With a passion for organisational culture, Sparks firmly believes in the benefits of a diverse workplace, which includes diversity of gender, thought, educational background, ethnicity and life experience. An MBA graduate of the University of Melbourne, she is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a member of the Advisory Board of Sport at the Service of Humanity.

Danielle Earp has more than 18 years of experience working in visual arts and cultural organisations, including six years at the Biennale of Sydney (Head of Exhibition, 2009 to 2011; Deputy Head of Exhibition, 2012 to 2015; Acting Chief Executive Officer, June 2014 to January 2015). Previous roles have included Associate Director, Sherman Contemporary Art Foundation and General Manager, Sherman Galleries, Sydney.

A former Board member (Public Officer) of 4A Centre for Contemporary Asian Art, Danielle currently manages Sydney Open, a major event presented by Sydney Living Museums. She holds a Bachelor of Visual Arts from the University of Sydney, Sydney College of the Arts (First Class Honours) and a Masters of Modern Art and Curation also from the University of Sydney.

The 21st Biennale of Sydney (2018) will be curated by Artistic Director Mami Kataoka and will be presented from March to June 2018.

Image: Naseema Sparks and Danielle Earp.

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