Carboni takes new role in Saudi Arabia

Former Art Gallery of WA chief executive and director Stefano Carboni has relocated to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, to assist in broadening the country’s cultural offerings as part of Saudi Vision 2030.

Mr Carboni had worked with AGWA from 2008 to July of this year, and was replaced on an interim basis by Colin Walker and Ric Spencer in his roles.

Holding a PhD in Islamic art from the SOAS University of London and a master’s degree in Arabic literature and Islamic art from Ca'​ Foscari University in Italy, Mr Carboni has lectured at the University of Western Australia since 2011 on the topic of Islamic art.

As part of his new role, Mr Carboni will serve as a consultant to Saudi Arabia's newly formed cultural ministry as the first employee for its museum commission.

He will be tasked with leading and creating an organisation, with the intention to transition into an executive position once an organisation had been fully staffed and a permanent board of directors had been selected.

“My background has been instrumental in making them feel comfortable that I’m the right person for the job,” Mr Carboni told Business News.

“I’m an Islamic art specialist, I studied Arabic, and so they’re confident and comfortable that my understanding of the culture is positive, in addition to my very long experience in running museums and in being in this field.”

Mr Carboni’s departure from AGWA came amid reports that the government was looking to amalgamate its administration with that of WA Museum and the State Library of WA.

Arts and Culture Minister David Templeman told Business News in October that it would not go ahead with those plans.