New MAAS director Dolla Merrillees describes the Powerhouse as a “making museum”. Photo: Dallas Kilponen. Source: The Canberra Times

MAAS announcement, Powerhouse – new Director, 11 April 2016

On behalf of the Board of Trustees I am pleased to share with you two major announcements made today by the Deputy Premier and the Premier.

The Riverbank site has been confirmed as the preferred site for the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences, Parramatta. We welcome this announcement, and believe this represents a highly desirable location in the heart of Parramatta, to establish an iconic museum that will make the people of Sydney and Australia proud.

I am also delighted to announce the appointment of Dolla Merrillees to the role of Director. Dolla brings a strong track record of curatorial leadership to the role as well as a highly respected reputation for rethinking and representing collections and delivering innovative exhibitions. As a member of the MAAS team, she has been instrumental in driving forward the Museum’s recent successes that have seen a 14% increase in visitation to the Powerhouse Museum and over 17 new exhibitions presented including a number of Australia exclusives and world premieres.

Dolla is widely published and brings scholarship, national and international partnerships to the position, as well as a strong focus on audiences and opening up opportunities for engagement, participation and access.

Details of all the announcement will be hosted on our website as they are available: https://maas.museum/about/maas-parramatta/

With free entry for kids and a range of world premiere exhibitions we will continue to deliver exceptional visitor experiences across our three sites; the Powerhouse Museum, Sydney Observatory and the Museums Discovery Centre which is soon to re-open.

We look forward to working in collaboration with new and existing partners and valued stakeholders as we realise new opportunities for our Museum.

Kind regards

Professor John Shine AO FAA
President
Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences

See also:

Andrew Taylor, Building the Powerhouse in Parramatta a new experience for Dolla Merrillees, The Canberra Times, 18 April 2016

Paul Farrell, When the Powerhouse Museum is torn down, a vital part of Sydney’s history goes with it, The Guardian, 11 April 2016