Art Gallery of SA names lawyer Jason Karas as its new chairman
The co-founder of an Adelaide international corporate law firm has been named as the new chairman of the Art Gallery of SA.
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Ambition and innovation must continue to drive the Art Gallery of South Australia’s operations, says its new chairman.
Lawyer Jason Karas, a current member of the Gallery’s board and of its Contemporary Collectors group, will succeed Tracey Whiting in the role from September 17.
Mr Karas is co-founder of international corporate law firm Lipman Karas, which has sponsored recent Art Gallery projects including its national Quilty touring exhibition, the Ramsay Art Prize people’s choice award and this year’s Adelaide Biennial.
“I look forward to working … through the next phase of AGSA’s evolution as a progressive, diverse and inclusive public institution,” Mr Karas said.
“It is essential that we are ambitious and innovative in pursuing our purpose. This will benefit all members of our community and advance the status and prosperity of SA.
“The Gallery plays a vital role in the creative, social and economic life of our State and beyond. It reflects our collective past, present and future.”
Mr Karas said he was deeply committed to the cultural and economic development of SA and the role art played in the advancement of society.
“I look forward to working closely with our director ... through the next phase of AGSA’s evolution as a progressive, diverse and inclusive public institution,” he said
“AGSA holds one of Australia’s finest collections of traditional and contemporary art and consistently curates internationally renowned exhibitions.”
Mr Karas also paid tribute to Ms Whiting, who has been chair of the Gallery’s board since 2014, for her “inspiring leadership, work ethic and generosity”.
During Ms Whiting’s tenure the Gallery acquired around 4000 works and attendances grew to make it the most visited Australian state art museum per capita.
Ms Whiting played an active role in establishing two major philanthropic groups for AGSA, the Contemporary Collectors group which has helped it acquire more than 500 works since 2003, and the Biennial Ambassadors from 2014.