Art lecturer to represent the NT in Venice

A Charles Darwin University arts lecturer has been selected to travel to Italy this year to represent the Northern Territory at the Venice Biennale 2017 Professional Development Program.

The program provides an opportunity for arts workers to attend the international event and support the exhibition at the Australia Pavilion.

Lecturer in visual arts Sarah Pirrie is one of two arts professionals from the NT to attend the program that provides a platform for curators, arts writers and arts professionals to develop skills and deepen vocational experience.

Ms Pirrie will take on the role of NT Exhibition Team Leader, managing a team of volunteer exhibition attendants. She also will manage the daily operations of Australia’s first solo Indigenous artist to exhibit at the Venice Biennale, Tracey Moffatt, whose exhibition will be held in the Australian Pavilion.

“This opportunity will further develop my skills as an educator, arts worker and artist,” Ms Pirrie said. “I am excited at the prospect of learning from international curators and artists and gaining further knowledge of international exhibition standards and innovations.”

Gallery manager for local initiative Darwin Visual Arts Association Ms Shilo McNamee will also attend the program as an NT representative.

The program is delivered in partnership with the Australia Council for the Arts and the Northern Territory Government through Arts NT, which contributes $20,000 to support the NT participants’ travel, accommodation and insurance costs.