Australian Museum appoints Russell Briggs as Director, Engagement & Exhibitions
Russell Briggs has been appointed by the Australian Museum (AM) as Director, Engagement & Exhibitions.
Monday 19 June 2017, Sydney, Australia: The Australian Museum (AM) today announced the appointment of Russell Briggs as Director, Engagement & Exhibitions.
Currently the Director of Exhibitions & Collections at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image in Melbourne (ACMI), Briggs has an impressive track record of harnessing talent and delivering creative content to achieve outstanding results. “We are thrilled to appoint someone of Russell’s talent, experience and proven ability to lead our creative exhibitions, programming and education team as we transform the Australian Museum,” Kim McKay AO, Director & CEO, Australian Museum said.
“As Australia’s first museum, the Australian Museum brings together world class science and creative teams to showcase our extraordinary natural and cultural world to our growing audiences.
“With Russell’s extensive career here and overseas and his content delivery expertise, commercial nous and leadership, he is the right fit for the AM to ensure we meet our future challenges,” she said.
At ACMI, Briggs developed a five year strategy which saw collaborations with international partners and ACMI creating its own full slate of international touring shows.
“The Australian Museum is filled with tremendous promise and on the brink of breaking through to the level of international visibility that its collection and stature deserves.”
“I am excited to have the opportunity to play a part in its future and am looking forward to working with Kim McKay and the team at the AM and contributing my experience to the renowned skills and talent that thrive there,” Russell Briggs said.
“It’s great that the AM has already launched its international touring business and I’m enthusiastic about working with museum partners across the Pacific and the world to ensure that the expertise of the AM’s scientists and cultural experts continues to shine brightly on the world stage,” he said.
A native of Los Angeles, Briggs graduated from the UCLA Film School in 1983 and worked for a number of years in Hollywood, originally directing music videos which led to his position of Editorial Director at Warner New Media – a division of Warner Bros.
As Creative Director and Senior VP of Content and Creative for a large interactive multimedia company, Briggs worked for over ten years with clients from the US, UK and Europe specialising in user engagement and the intersection between creativity, storytelling and the delivery of immersive content.
In 2002 Briggs moved to New Zealand and led significant international projects and partnerships including the relationship between Lexus and the Shanghai Art Fair – the largest such event in Asia. He also helped design the re-launch of the l Love New York campaign for the State of New York.
As a Director and member of the executive team at Auckland Museum, New Zealand, for over five years, Briggs developed a major program of exhibitions bringing to life their Pacific and Maori collections along with developing a revolving slate of temporary exhibitions.
Working as the ‘2IC’ for three CEOs, Briggs was also tasked with articulating and developing the vision for a newly developed 21st century iteration of the Auckland Museum, as well as help plan for NZ$70 million in capital improvement projects for its galleries and creation of new access to the collections. During this time, the Auckland Museum’s visitation grew to exceed 800,000 attendees per year.
In his most recent role as Director of Exhibitions & Collections at ACMI, Briggs oversaw a large annual budget and led a curatorial team as well as acting as Project Director for the blockbuster touring exhibitions falling under the Melbourne Winter Masterpiece marquee. Briggs was also deeply involved in ACMI’s successful bid to renew its permanent galleries and buildings.
As Director, Engagement & Exhibitions at the AM, Briggs will be responsible for developing and implementing the Australian Museum’s exhibition, programming and education teams, as well as supporting the delivery of the AM’s Masterplan.
He will relocate to Sydney and commence his role with the AM in mid-September.
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MEDIA CONTACT
Claire Vince | Media & Communications Advisor
claire.vince@austmus.gov.au | M 61 468 726 910
