David Gaimster to move west to lead SAM

Photo: Tony Lewis/InDaily.

New boss named for SA Museum, InDaily, 15 March 2023

The head of a leading New Zealand museum has been appointed SA Museum’s new director.

The SA Museum today said that current Auckland Museum chief executive Dr David Gaimster will move to Adelaide to take up his new role in June.

SA Museum said Gaimster had overseen a program of transformational change in Auckland, including securing that country’s largest museum grant.

He has been chief executive of the Society of Antiquities of London, Director of The Hunterian at the University of Glasgow and held senior roles at the British Museum.

Gaimster received a doctorate in Historical Archaeology from University College London and is an elected Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, the museum said.

“The Board is delighted to have secured someone of David’s immense experience and talent to lead the South Australian Museum into the future,” SA Museum chair Kim Cheater said.

“The Museum is a fundamental part of the cultural and scientific fabric of our State, and we have ambitious plans to ensure its relevance and value for generations to come. David has a proven ability to lead the rejuvenation and transformation of natural science and human culture museums.

“He brings energy, a bold vision and a track record in driving innovation which will be exciting and refreshing.”

Gaimster said that he was “excited to be invited to lead the South Australian Museum, one of the premier encyclopedic museums of natural history and human cultures in Australasia”.

“I hope to bring my commitment to innovation and my experience of leading institutions with long and distinguished records of collecting, research and public engagement to the critical next stage of the Museum’s development,” he said.

“I am looking forward to working with my new colleagues to deliver the Museum’s ambition for creating unique experiences, enhancing knowledge and stimulating new ideas and debate, onsite, offsite and online.”

Justine van Mourik will continue as SA Museum Acting Director until Gaimster takes up his post.