Palmerston North’s Te Manawa Museum has appointed Susanna Shadbolt as its new Chief Executive, taking the reins from Andy Lowe who departed in February.

Ms Shadbolt has previously worked at Te Manawa as a registrar for art and touring exhibitions, curator and team leader. Since leaving the Museum in 2015, she lectured in Museum Studies at Massey University and served as Director of Aratoi Wairarapa Museum of Art and History in Masterton.

In March 2020, she was accepted by the Museum Leadership Institute at Claremont Graduate University in California to join the Executive Education Program for Museum Leaders. The programme focused on critical issues in the museum and gallery sector such as audience engagement and development, diversity and inclusion, team management, strategy, fundraising and leadership.

Te Manawa Museums Trust Chairman John Fowke says the Board is very excited about her appointment following an extensive search for a leader with the right mix of passion and skills.

“Susanna is a proven champion for the arts and cultural sector,” Mr Fowke says. “Her extensive background in museum and gallery practice, education, and business will be of enormous benefit to our mission.

“We’re building on more than 20 years of Museum and Gallery practice at the forefront of inclusive, engaging and evolving programmes and I think it’s safe to say the future is in very capable hands.”

Chair of Aratoi David Moriarty says Susanna has been a strong driving force for Aratoi for the past six years through her tireless efforts and dedication.

“We are pleased for Susanna in that she is moving to a larger role which will offer her new challenges, continue her outstanding career path, and enable her to live closer to her work and to spend more time with her family.”

Susanna starts in her new role as Chief Executive on 25 July.