Winner

Sarah Johnson

Senior Curator, Qantas Founders Museum, Longreach

Sarah Johnson’s journey to becoming the Senior Curator of the Qantas Founders Museum is a testament to her bravery, professionalism, and commitment to arts, culture and regional communities.

Since arriving in outback Queensland in 2021, Sarah has embraced and been embraced by the local community in Longreach.

Sarah’s impact on the cultural life of Longreach is profound. She has been instrumental in transforming the cultural, social, and economic landscape of Longreach through her innovative initiatives and unwavering dedication. As Senior Curator, Sarah manages a vast collection of over 10,000 objects, including aircraft, aviation material, and memorabilia. Her leadership role in advocating for regional artists and providing mentorship has been instrumental in supporting the region of Longreach and its people.

Sarah’s distinctive contributions have elevated the regional arts community, contributing to the region’s social and tourism economies and fostering a more inclusive and vibrant cultural environment, and is quoted as being “an invaluable asset to Longreach and the broader Queensland region”.

Sarah has nurtured a platform for diverse artistic expressions and fostered a deeper appreciation for the arts, enriching the community’s cultural tapestry. This includes curating numerous local and regional exhibitions, celebrating the talents of regional artists and attracting the broader community to experience art, often for the first time.

Sarah’s most notable achievement was her successful negotiation to secure the celebrated international Yayoi Kusama exhibition from the National Gallery of Australia. This accomplishment brought a world-class exhibition to the region and significantly boosted tourism, drawing visitors and attention to Longreach and its vibrant cultural landscape, and instilling a sense of excitement and pride in the community.

Highly Commended

Jodi Ferrari

Curator – Children’s Gallery, HOTA, Home of the Arts, Gold Coast

With more than 20 years of experience in the art gallery sector across Queensland and New South Wales, Jodi Ferrari is an accomplished arts professional dedicated to arts education and the development of new audiences for the visual arts.

Jodi’s expertise in exhibition development, educational materials, and creating immersive experiences for children and families has been instrumental in shaping the creative direction of HOTA’s Children’s Gallery. This dedicated family space is designed to bring young people together, make them feel comfortable in a gallery environment, and spark a life-long love of art and creative thinking. Her unique approach, which involves collaborating with contemporary artists to create inclusive, interactive and playful spaces, has inspired audiences from diverse backgrounds.

In her role as the Curator Children’s Gallery at HOTA, Jodi has curated significant exhibition projects and received notable recognition, including a TEDxUQ talk and an international travel grant. Her ongoing research and initiatives, such as the Young Gallery Guides program, continue to inform her curatorial work at HOTA, positioning the Children’s Gallery as a leader in the sector. Furthermore, her efforts in building partnerships demonstrate her commitment to the sustainability and wider impact of her work at the Children’s Gallery.