New director paints bright future for NGV

TONY Ellwood has some big plans for the National Gallery of Victoria, the institution he left five years ago when he was its deputy director.

By InvestSMART · 3 Aug 2012

By InvestSMART ·
3 Aug 2012

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TONY Ellwood has some big plans for the National Gallery of Victoria, the institution he left five years ago when he was its deputy director.

Now freshly installed as the NGV's new director following the retirement of the long-serving chief, Dr Gerard Vaughan, Mr Ellwood has some immediate changes in mind.

"I want it to be bright, fresh and welcoming as soon as you enter," Mr Ellwood said yesterday. Only 24 hours into his new job, he'd had numerous meetings, including briefing 30 of his senior staff on the importance of customer service.

Mr Ellwood, 44, comes from a stint as director of the Queensland Art Gallery and its Gallery of Modern Art, where he attracted record-breaking audiences with snappily marketed events.

His final show in Brisbane was last month's opening of the much praised Portrait of Spain: Masterpieces from the Prado blockbuster.

Mr Ellwood said Victoria's state gallery was different to Queensland's "because they don't have significant historic collections there" but he said the NGV, at its St Kilda Road and Federation Square campuses, needed to focus on what he called "an inclusive approach and an attentiveness to the visitor". This included everything from installing new lighting in its foyers, to adopting mobile "self-guiding" devices for visitors.

"It's a given that when you come to the NGV you will see beautiful art across a broad range of art history beautifully presented, but I want to see seamless communication for visitors and see staff coming out from behind the information desks and suggesting what they might like to see," he said.

"And I don't think you can assume that because you belong to one demographic, you only like one kind of art."

Mr Ellwood said the NGV had always had a strong commitment to contemporary art but conceded there was a general perception it needed to do more. "Maybe we need to invest more time in a big annual statement around contemporary art," he said, adding he would like to raise funds for a series of commissions for new work for the St Kilda Road gallery foyer.

"I have great ambitions for that space," he said. "One of the things I'm desperate to do is embrace Melbourne's incredible scene of contemporary artists."

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Frequently Asked Questions about this Article…

Who is Tony Ellwood and what is his new role at the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV)?

Tony Ellwood has been appointed the new director of the National Gallery of Victoria, succeeding long-serving chief Dr Gerard Vaughan following his retirement. Ellwood, 44, previously served as director of the Queensland Art Gallery and the Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) and had earlier been deputy director at the NGV.

What immediate changes has NGV director Tony Ellwood announced for the gallery?

Within 24 hours of starting, Ellwood said he wants the NGV to feel bright, fresh and welcoming. He briefed senior staff on the importance of customer service and signalled practical changes such as new foyer lighting and adoption of mobile 'self-guiding' devices for visitors.

How does Tony Ellwood plan to improve the NGV visitor experience and customer service?

Ellwood emphasises seamless communication and attentiveness to visitors: staff should come out from behind information desks to suggest exhibitions, the gallery will upgrade foyer lighting, and offer mobile self-guiding devices to make visits more welcoming and easier to navigate.

What did Ellwood say about the NGV’s approach to contemporary art?

Ellwood said the NGV already has a strong commitment to contemporary art but acknowledged a perception that it could do more. He suggested possibly investing in a big annual statement around contemporary art and wants to raise funds for commissions of new work, especially for the St Kilda Road foyer.

What are Tony Ellwood’s plans specifically for the St Kilda Road foyer?

Ellwood said he has 'great ambitions' for the St Kilda Road foyer and hopes to raise funds for a series of commissions to install new contemporary works in that space.

How might Tony Ellwood’s experience at the Queensland Art Gallery and GOMA influence the NGV?

Ellwood comes from a background where he attracted record-breaking audiences with snappily marketed events; his final show in Brisbane was the well-received Portrait of Spain: Masterpieces from the Prado. That marketing and programming experience is likely to shape his approach at the NGV.

Which NGV locations will be involved in Ellwood’s plans?

Ellwood’s comments referenced the NGV’s two main campuses: the St Kilda Road gallery and the Federation Square venue, indicating plans and initiatives will involve both sites.

What does Ellwood mean by an 'inclusive approach' and 'attentiveness to the visitor' at the NGV?

By 'inclusive approach' Ellwood means not assuming people from one demographic only like one kind of art; he wants to present a broad range of art history beautifully while ensuring staff and services actively engage visitors and make the gallery welcoming to diverse audiences.