Barrett-Lennard calls time at PICA

Amy Barrett-Lennard is stepping down as director of the Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts after 16 years in the role.

Ms Barrett-Lennard joined PICA in 2006, following five years as director of Melbourne-based gallery Linden Centre for Contemporary Art, now called Linden New Art.

She said her time at the institute had been the most rewarding of her professional career.

“It’s been a powerful journey, but after 16 years, it’s time for me to look forward to a new future of my own,” Ms Barrett-Lennard said.

“The pandemic has been a period of great reflection for us all, myself included, and I am incredibly proud of the strong position I’m leaving PICA in.

“I think there’s truly no better time for a new director to step in.

“PICA, and Perth, are on the cusp of transformation with a redeveloped cultural centre and new building on the horizon.”

PICA chair Mark Clapham said Ms Barrett-Lennard had been integral to establishing PICA’s commissioning program and had been a leading advocate for practitioners.  

“To do this, she doubled PICA’s annual turnover, built strong relationships with government and philanthropic stakeholders, and developed a highly successful donor program,” Mr Clapham said.

“Amy’s commitment to programming diverse artists and welcoming diverse audiences, nurturing PICA’s growth and sustainability, and forging cultural links across continents and Country is commendable.

Mr Clapham thanked Ms Barrett-Lennard for her contribution to the organisation, as well as the broader arts sector in Western Australia.

“She has worked incredibly hard, particularly over these last difficult and disrupted years, to ensure the ongoing sustainability of the organisation, while being part of envisioning a new future for it,” Mr Clapham said.

“This future and next redevelopment phase is part of a broader change in the Perth and Australian cultural landscape that has seen a new generation of recent leadership at many of our cultural institutions.”

Ms Barrett-Lennard’s departure follows several leadership changes at the state’s arts and cultural organisations over the course of the pandemic.

West Australian Ballet executive director Olivier David announced he was leaving his role yesterday; Rick Heath departed as executive director of Black Swan State Theatre Company of WA in May; Shelagh Magadza left the Chamber of Arts and Culture of WA in December 2021 and; Helen Hristofski finished up as chief executive of Barking Gecko Theatre in mid-2021.   

PICA’s general manager Georgia Malone will step up as acting director to oversee the delivery of the institute’s 2022 program.