Art Gallery of SA appoints its first female director

Devenport, currently director of Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tamaki, replaces Mitzevich, who left the position to head up the National Gallery of Australia in Canberra.

The Queensland-born Devenport will become the gallery’s first female director in its 137 year history. Devenport was the Asia Pacific Triennial’s senior project officer for the Queensland Art Gallery.

Devenport worked at Sydney Festival and Biennale of Sydney before spending 12 years in New Zealand where she was director of the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery before heading up the Auckland Art Gallery. She was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for her service to the arts earlier this year.

“I am deeply honoured by this appointment, the Art Gallery of South Australia has forged an excellent reputation for its ambition, its outstanding collection, and a dynamic exhibitions program,” Devenport said in a release. “I am thrilled to be leading this strong and innovative cultural organisation into the future.”

Devenport starts her new role in October.