In conversation with Dr Thomas Berghuis

4A & The University of Melbourne present a conversation on building and expanding the contemporary art museum in Asia & the Pacific.

Speakers: Dr Thomas Berghuis (Museum MACAN, Jakarta, Indonesia) &
Dr Rebecca Coates (Shepparton Art Museum, Victoria, Australia)
Date: Tuesday, September 15, 6.30-7.30pm
Venue: 4A Centre for Contemporary Asian Art

RSVP via Eventbrite

Join 4A for a conversation between Thomas J. Berghuis and Rebecca Coates, two new museum directors working respectively in Indonesia and Australia, as they consider the expanding role of new and existing museums in the Asia-Pacific. From conceiving the strategic beginnings of a new museum to reconsidering an existing museum for the contemporary era this discussion brings together two of the regions most influential directors. With the role of the museum in consistent flux this conversation promises to address the challenges that face the museum director today.

The conversation will be facilitated by Mikala Tai, Director of 4A, and Pedro de Almeida, Program Manager at 4A.

Dr. Thomas J. Berghuis, has recently left the position of The Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation Curator of Chinese Art at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York to become the Director of Museum MACAN (pronounced mah-chaan), a future Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Indonesia, with a strong international collection and focus. ‬‬‬

Dr. Rebecca Coates is Lecturer in Art History and Art Curatorship at The University of Melbourne and has recently taken on the position of Acting Director of the Shepparton Art Museum in Victoria, Australia.‬

This conversation is part of Art Curatorship, Now & Beyond – A two-day symposium celebrating 25 years of the Masters of Art Curatorship at the University of Melbourne, that will be held from September 17-19.

Founded in 1990, the Masters of Art Curatorship at the University of Melbourne incorporates theoretical, art historical and practical study units, focusing on the changing role of art museums and arts organisations, and training generations of art curators, exhibition managers and museum professionals, many of who have gone on to hold significant positions in Australia and internationally.