Bree Pickering appointed as Director of the National Portrait Gallery of Australia

Bree Pickering has been named as the new Director of the National Portrait Gallery of Australia for a five-year term beginning 11th April.

Pickering is successor to former director Karen Quinlan who left the Gallery in September 2022 to take up a new position as Chief Executive of Arts Centre Melbourne.

Pickering has held various roles in the arts community for over a decade, most recently as the Director of the Murray Art Museum Albury (the Museum) since 2016.

Her dedicated work in leading the Museum, just after its establishment in 2015, has seen it become known for strong engagement with local artists and audiences, as well as innovative exhibitions.

Prior to her time at the Museum, Pickering was the Director of Vox Populi in Philadelphia.

In 2012 she joined the Australian Embassy in Washington as the Cultural Program Manager and Curator working with then Ambassador Kim Beazley, where she was instrumental in furthering the Australian Government’s cultural diplomacy goals.

Minister for the Arts, Tony Burke, said strong leadership would be crucial to enhancing the future of Australia’s national cultural institutions.

“The National Portrait Gallery is a place where people go to learn about great Australians from Eddie Mabo to Kylie Minogue,” Minister Burke said.

“It holds up a mirror to who we are, showcasing our diverse history and culture. It’s critical the Gallery is supported to continue doing that.

“I know Bree will bring creativity and vision to the National Portrait Gallery and look forward to working with her to secure the future of this important cultural institution.”