The Board of Craft Victoria today announced that the Executive Director, Dr Kevin Murray, will shortly leave Craft Victoria to pursue his own writing interests.
Prue Venables, President of Craft Victoria, thanked Kevin Murray for his exceptional leadership of the organisation over the last eight years, a period which has seen considerable development of Craft Victoria’s national and international profile.
“On behalf of the Board, members and staff of Craft Victoria, I offer our sincerest thanks to Kevin Murray for his dedicated and innovative contribution to Craft Victoria. During his time here, Kevin Murray has developed and led many important initiatives including the South Project, an ambitious program of cultural exchange for the southern hemisphere. Kevin Murray has overseen an exciting program of ongoing exhibitions, including Fresh!, Craft Victoria’s annual survey of the work of Victorian craft and design graduates. He has also curated a number of successful exhibitions while at Craft Victoria, developed the Scarf Festival, and published widely during his time. A particular initiative has been the on-line Craft Culture magazine and regular newsletters. Not least, Kevin Murray has also seen a vibrant and financially successful retail presence in Flinders Lane.”
Kevin Murray said that he was leaving Craft Victoria with some personal regret but confident that this was the right time for him to pursue his own interests. “Managing an organisation like Craft Victoria is fulfilling and engaging, but leaves you little time to pursue intellectual interests and contribute to wider debates on craft and design both here and internationally. Now the organisation is in such a strong position, I feel confident in returning to my long-standing research and writing interests.”
“Craft Victoria is blessed with a hard-working staff, a highly engaged membership, a dedicated Board and supportive funding bodies and donors. The success of Craft Victoria is a result of this remarkable team.”
Kevin Murray’s last day with Craft Victoria will be 7 December. Ms Venables said that future management arrangements at Craft Victoria would be announced in due course. Esther Anatolitis continues as Craft Victoria’s General Manager.
1 comment:
I'm really sorry to see Kevin go. Over the years I have been a member of Craft Vic his leadership of the organization has been inspirational. I appreciate the emphasis that Kevin has put on intellectual debate with in the craft sector while maintaining a strong defence of "craft" in the face of the burgeoning design movement. Craft Victoria is truly an effective and inspirational hub for contemporary debate, exhibition and retail.
Thanks Kevin and all the staff at Craft Vic! I look forward to future writing.
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