Shepparton Art Museum appoints new Chief Executive

Shepparton Art Museum, has appointed Melinda Martin as its new Chief Executive, who will commence in the role on 11th July 2022.

Following a rigorous recruitment process by the Shepparton Art Museum (SAM) Ltd Board, Martin joins the SAM team with outstanding credentials, having spent the past 10 years as Chief Executive and Director of Linden New Art in St Kilda. Martin succeeds Dr Rebecca Coates, who finished at SAM in December 2021 after seven years heading the museum.

Bringing with her a wealth of knowledge earned from over 20 years working in arts management, Martin is passionate about connecting audiences to the work of leading contemporary artists and creating conversations that encourage new ways of thinking and understanding the world we live in. Prior to joining Linden, Martin was the Manager of National Programs and Services at Creative Partnerships Australia (formerly Australia Business Arts Foundation) and oversaw their professional development and philanthropic programs.

Martin has also worked as the Gallery Manager at Anna Schwartz Gallery, Program Manager at Monash Gallery of Art, Studio Manager for Australian artist John Young and research assistant to Dr Chris McAuliffe at the University of Melbourne. She holds a Master of Fine Art and Cinema Studies from The University of Melbourne, a Post-Graduate Certificate in Museum Studies from Deakin University and a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Fine Art and Criminology from the University of Melbourne. Melinda has been a member of the Public Galleries Association of Victoria's Board from 2013 to 2018, serving as Vice President of the Board from 2014 to 2016, and previously chaired their fundraising sub-committee from 2017 to 2018.

Of her appointment Martin enthused ‘I am looking forward to working with the talented team at SAM to develop some exciting new exhibitions and programs to encourage everyone to engage with the museum. From programs for children and their families, and important programs for the local multicultural and multi-lingual community - I’m looking forward to leading a fabulous new museum and bringing it to life for all to enjoy.”

The SAM Ltd Board engaged the services of Slade Group to ensure a robust recruitment process was run in identifying the new leader of SAM. Since reopening, the museum has attracted much interest and acclaim both for its artistic program and its architectural excellence. Stephen Merrylees, Chair of the SAM Ltd Board, says of the appointment “SAM Ltd is honoured to welcome Melinda to the role of CEO, who we know will be an excellent fit for the organisation. We were pleased to have overseen a very competitive recruitment process, with many applicants from all over Australia expressing their interest. To have attracted someone of Melinda’s calibre speaks volumes of the reputation SAM has earned for itself. We are confident that Melinda will continue to build SAM’s legacy to the arts scene in the region.”

Martin rounds off a decade at Linden New Art with a fond farewell. Paul Duldig, Chair of the Linden New Art Board advised “The Board of Linden congratulates Melinda on her new role. Melinda leaves an exceptional legacy at Linden after ten years as CEO/Director, and will be sorely missed. We wish her the very best.”