Max Delany to Depart as Director and CEO of ACCA Melbourne

TheAustralian Centre for Contemporary Art(ACCA) on July 8 announced thatMax Delanywill leave his roles as artistic director and chief executive officer in November. Sincearrivingto the Melbourne kunsthalle in 2016, Delany has curated watershed exhibitions including “Who’s Afraid of Public Space?” (2021–22), “On Vulnerability and Doubt” (2019), and “Unfinished Business: Perspectives on Art and Feminism” (2017–18). He also organized “Sovereignty” (2016–17), which centered contemporary art of First Nations peoples of South East Australia.

“Max has been instrumental in embedding First Nations voice and self-determination,” said ACCA chair Terry Wu in a statement. “Under his leadership, ACCA is also proud to have established a dedicated First Nations curatorial position [in 2018].” Wu praised Delany’s enthusiasm and dedication, thanked him for leaving the museum in “incredible shape” following his nine-year tenure, and expressed his wish that the outgoing director enjoy “the best of times as he embraces new horizons in the next chapter in his career.”

Delany came to the institution from the National Gallery of Victoria, where he was senior contemporary curator. He held prior roles at the Monash University Museum of Art and Gertrude Contemporary. He has not made his post-departure plans public.

“It has been a privilege to lead ACCA over almost a decade,” said Delany in a statement. “The work of artists lies at the heart of what we do, and I am immeasurably grateful for their collaboration and trust, and for the visionary, philosophical and transformational role that artists play in our society.”

The art center’s board is expected to begin the search for a replacement shortly.