MURRAY Art Museum Albury's inaugural director Jacqui Hemsley is leaving Albury Council.
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The council's cultural services group leader has scored a promotion with Lake Macquarie Council on the NSW central coast after being in the Albury role since 2008.
Ms Hemsley’s departure comes as council begins the search for a replacement as MAMA director after its original recruitment mission failed to attract a suitable candidate.
She was appointed MAMA director in the lead-up to its opening in October 2015.
The council is also in the market for a curator at MAMA with Bianca Acimovic accepting the director position at Rockhampton Art Gallery in her home state of Queensland.
Ms Hemsley’s cultural services group leader position includes responsibility for MAMA, Albury LibraryMuseum and Albury Entertainment Centre.
Her new role is manager of cultural services.
“It is a great opportunity,” she said.
“The timing may not be the best, but opportunity has come knocking.
“You want to move around and get new blood in and push things along.
“We’ve got an amazing team which has been absolutely phenomenal.
“It’s a pretty exciting place to be at right now.”
Ms Hemsley departs Albury in mid-September.
MAMA has attracted more than 84,000 visitors in less than 12 months since opening its doors.
It is estimated to inject about $20 million into the local economy in its first year, which is up from a projected $9.6 million before its opening.
Ms Hemsley was formerly the director at galleries in New Zealand, Broken Hill and Gippsland before coming to Albury.
The council is offering a salary package of more than $100,000 for the MAMA director position.
Applications will close on Friday.
Albury's community and recreation director James Jenkins has congratulated Ms Hemsley on her appointment.
“While disappointed that we are saying farewell to Jacqui, we are thrilled that Albury Council and MAMA are providing a platform for our people to further enhance their career prospects,” he said.
MAMA’s latest major exhibition, SPEED: The Fast & The Curious, opens on Saturday with a street parade.