Dr Michael Brand, Director of the Art Gallery of New South Wales and ANU Alumnus, has been appointed Honorary Professor at ANU in recognition of his globally recognised contributions to art museum and curatorial practice.

Dr Brand is an alumnus of ANU, and has served in leadership roles in art museums, including the NGA and AGNSW in Australia, and the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts and the Getty Museum, Los Angeles (USA). His most current achievement, about to be opened to public in December 2022 is the $340-million+ Sydney Modern Project designed by Pritzker Prize winners SANAA. In addition to being a globally recognised museum leader, Michael is also a scholar in his own right, an expert on the art and architecture of the Mughal empire.

 "From our stunning parkland and harbourside home, our transformed institution will represent Sydney’s bold spirit as a leading 21st-century art museum with a deep commitment to both Australian and international art."

Michael Brand, Gallery Director

Michael Brand joined the Art Gallery of New South Wales as director in June 2012. Prior to his appointment, he was director of the new Aga Khan Museum in Toronto while it was under construction. From 2005 to 2010, Dr Brand was director of the J Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles, leading both the Getty Center and Getty Villa sites and establishing its new Center for Photography. Previously, he was director of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond from 2000 to 2005; assistant director, curatorial and collection development, at the Queensland Art Gallery in Brisbane from 1996 to 2000; curator of Asian art at the National Gallery of Australia in Canberra from 1988 to 1996; and co-director of the Smithsonian Institution Mughal Garden Project in Lahore, Pakistan from 1988 to 1993.

Dr Brand is the current chair of the Council of Australian Art Museum Directors (CAAMD) and serves on the International Advisory Board of The State Hermitage Museum in St Petersburg. His professional affiliations include the Bizot Group of International Art Museum Directors and the American Association of Museum Directors. Dr Brand also sits on the boards of the Australian Institute of Art History; the Sherman Centre for Culture and Ideas (SCCI) Architecture Hub and the Barangaroo Structures Commissioner’s Council, as well as being a member of the Woollahra Council Public Art Panel.