MURRAY Art Museum Albury is facing a major governance overhaul less than three years since its doors opened.
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The first step in a process which could take until late 2020 to implement was agreed to by Albury Council’s community and cultural committee this week.
A key driver of the change is overcoming a perception residents may not want to donate to council which developed the ambitious facility at a cost of $11.2 million and ratepayers contribute more than $1 million to operate annually.
In a report compiled by MAMA director Bree Pickering proposing the governance changes, she said the present structure was “confusing to stakeholders and the broader community”.
“Publicly it is not clear where responsibility for the institution lies and thus who has oversight of financial and creative decisions,” she said.
“This confusion is presenting significant barriers to MAMA’s continued success, particularly around the attraction and ongoing philanthropic and private support.
“MAMA’s current governance structure clearly situates all responsibility with council with the MAMA director being the primary conduit.”
A target of $1 million in philanthropic support was achieved as part of the construction phase, but ongoing private contributions remain critical to MAMA’s operation.
In the 2016-17 financial year, philanthropic efforts totalled $271,602, but artwork donations remained very strong.
“It is really timely we are looking at a more transparent and direct governance model,” mayor Kevin Mack said.
“The gallery is a great facility, but personally I think it can be greater and this is the first step towards its greatness.”
Cr David Thurley, the council representative on the existing advisory committee, said he also backed changes to the MAMA governance structure.
“It needs to move out of the same place as other small regional galleries and be put up there with the biggest galleries,” he said.
An organisational structure under consideration is the appointment of a skills-based board.
It will be responsible for MAMA’s governance including the appointment of the director who will report to the board – not council – and donation acceptance and management be directed to MAMA Art Foundation.
MAMA is facing increased competition from the establishment other similar sized galleries in regional Australia including Shepparton and Cairns.
Two governance models will be further investigated and another report will be presented to council late next year.
