Marcus Schutenko will be stepping down as Director of MAGNT in June.

Media Release, MAGNT Director, Marcus Schutenko steps down after seven years of service, Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, 27 January 2022

The Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory (MAGNT) announces that after more than seven years in the role, Marcus Schutenko will be stepping down as Director in June.

Marcus joined MAGNT in 2015 and worked quickly to leverage its first year as a statutory authority to focus on stakeholder relationships, securing increased funding from governments, philanthropists and corporate sources. This allowed the creation of new specialist positions at MAGNT and the delivery of award winning exhibitions.

The establishment of an engagement team, the reinstatement of art curator positions and increasing positions for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff have been transformational achievements. “While growing the expertise at MAGNT has led to many great outcomes for the Northern Territory, what I am really heartened to see is the enabling of leadership throughout the museum, and the quality of the collaboration that is now taking place within and between teams,” Marcus said.

The MAGNT Board and Marcus worked closely in championing an art gallery for Darwin’s State Square, with a $50 million art gallery scheduled to open in 2024. Marcus has also doubled MAGNT’s footprint in Alice Springs, securing funding for and successfully delivering Megafauna Central.

Chair of MAGNT’s Board, Clare Martin AO, thanked Marcus for his energy, commitment and innovation over his seven years as director. “Marcus has made a significant positive difference to our Museum and Art Gallery”.

Marcus worked to place Aboriginal cultural rights and agency at the centre of MAGNT’s business, including reinvigorating the Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards. Amongst the national award winning exhibitions he delivered were three ground breaking exhibitions of Aboriginal culture: a major exhibition of MAGNT’s early Papunya boards, Tjungunutja, MAGNT’s first exhibition of a solo Aboriginal artist (the late Ms N Yunupingu) and MAGNT’s first fully bilingual exhibition, A Frontier Journey, in Western Arrernte. MAGNT is currently consulting on the establishment of a whole of museum Aboriginal advisory body, as well as the development of a 20 year repatriation plan.

“The Northern Territory has such unique and diverse national environments, rich Aboriginal cultures and compelling histories. Engaging with all of these at MAGNT has been an incredible experience,” Marcus said.

Marcus will be relocating with his family to New Zealand in late 2022. MAGNT will soon commence recruitment for a new Director.

About MAGNT

The Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory is the Northern Terrritory’s premier cultural institution, with collections, exhibitions and programs across our core areas of Aboriginal culture, natural sciences, history, and art focussing on Northern and Central Australia, and our near neighbours.

Media enquiries:
Rebecca Campart
MAGNT Communications Coordinator
[email protected]
08 8999 8203 | 0457 495 149

Available for interview:
Marcus Schutenko, MAGNT Director