Professor Ted Snell - artist, arts academic, curator and reviewer - has been appointed as Director of The University of Western Australia's new Cultural Precinct. 

The Precinct will showcase the University's major collections and exhibitions and represents a coordinated approach to the University's arts-based pursuits such as the Perth International Arts Festival, The University of Western Australia Press, University Extension and concert and theatre seasons.

Professor Snell is currently Professor of Contemporary Art and Dean of Art at the John Curtin Gallery, Curtin University of Technology.

The University of Western Australia's Vice-Chancellor Professor Alan Robson said Professor Snell would help to drive the University's vision for the arts into the future.  "This is a role our retiring Senior Deputy Vice Chancellor, Professor Margaret Seares, has undertaken to date, and I look forward to Professor Snell continuing her work in this area," he said.

Professor Snell has made a significant contribution to the Australian visual arts sector through his roles as Chair of Artbank, Chair of the Asialink Visual Arts Advisory Committee and Chair of the Australian Council of University Art and Design Schools.  He has been a board member of the National Association for the Visual Arts and an arts commentator for ABC radio and television.  He is currently the Chair of the Australia Council's Visual Arts Board.

He has published several books, is Perth art reviewer for The Australian newspaper and has curated numerous exhibitions, many of which document the visual culture of Western Australia.  He is also a visual artist and since 1968 has shown his work in solo and group exhibitions around Australia.

Professor Snell will be responsible for overseeing the University's cultural outreach as well as general collection management for the campus and the University's two principal collections, the Berndt Museum of Anthropology and the Lawrence Wilson Art Gallery.

Media references

Professor Alan Robson  (+61 8)  6488 2809
Professor Ted Snell  (+61 4) 17 921 995
Janine MacDonald (UWA Public Affairs)  (+61 8)  6488 5563  /  (+61 4) 32 637 716