Senior appointments in Queensland culture

New Chief Executives have been appointed for the Queensland Museum and the Queensland Symphony Orchestra.

At the Queensland Museum Network, Professor Suzanne Miller is taking up the role of Chief Executive.

Professor Miller is the former Director of the South Australian Museum and brings with her a wealth of experience. She is also the first female director in its 151 year history.

She has been the Director of the South Australian Museum for the past six years. Prior to that, Professor Miller spent 12 years with National Museums Scotland, latterly as Keeper of Natural Sciences.

Professor Miller holds an Honours degree in Geology from the University of St Andrews and a PhD in Marine Geology from Imperial College, University of London.

Professor Miller is a member of the Australian Research Council Advisory Council, the Cooperative Research Centres Committee, the National Cultural Heritage Committee, the National Parks and Wildlife Council and the Council of Australasian Museum Directors.

She replaces Dr Ian Galloway, Chief Executive of the Queensland Museum since May 2000, who is retiring on 2nd July 2013.

Speaking of the change, Queensland Minister for Science, Information Technology, Innovation and the Arts, Ian Walker explained "Professor Miller has the drive to build on the Museums impressive record of research, partnerships and dynamic experiences."

Minister Walker added "under Dr Galloways leadership, we have seen the Queensland Museum Network of four great museums expand across the state, last year welcoming more than one million visitors to Cobb+Co Museum in Toowoomba, the Queensland Museum and Sciencentre in Brisbane, The Workshops Rail Museum in Ipswich and Townsvilles Museum of Tropical Queensland."

Meanwhile a global search for a new Chief Executive by the Queensland Symphony Orchestra (QSO) has led to the appointment of Sophie Galaise, one of the world's leading orchestra executives.

Galaise, most recently Executive Director of Canada's famed Orchestre Symphonique de Québec (Quebec Symphony Orchestra) will take up the leadership role as of 3rd June.

Announcing the appointment, QSO Chair Greg Wanchap, explained that the search for a Chief Executive had extended globally to reflect the QSO's standing in the international music community.

"The appointment of Sophie Galaise as Queensland Symphony Orchestra's new CEO is exciting for our company and for Queensland. Her experience is exceptional and her international reputation is extraordinary; she brings passion, a very real love of music and a deep understanding of orchestral relevance in the modern era, all important elements as the QSO continues to reach important milestones in audience growth, orchestral review, artist acclaim and annual results."

Galaise added "I am thrilled to join QSO. I discovered an orchestra of the highest calibre led by Johannes Fritzsch, an excellent chief conductor, in a culturally vibrant and wonderful city. I feel excited and honoured to have been chosen to lead this fine organisation and I hope to contribute to its growth and continued success in years to come."

6th November 2009 - QUEENSLAND ORCHESTRA GETS NEW HOME WITH ABC