By arts editor HELEN MUSA

Former curator at The National Portrait Gallery, April Phillips, will step into the role of artistic director and CEO of Canberra Contemporary while director Sophia Cai takes maternity leave.

Phillips will lead the organisation from its headquarters on Lake Burley Griffin over the next 12 months.

A member of the Galari peoples of western NSW, Phillips is an artist, educator and creative producer whose practice combines digital technologies with contemporary art whose work has been presented at the Melbourne International Film Festival, ACMI, World Expo Osaka and Perth Festival.

She has worked with the Australian Children’s Television Foundation developing First Nations learning resources, led digital arts projects with communities around Australia and was recognised with the Women in Digital Rising Star Award.

Over the past decade, April has participated in peer assessment boards and industry leader roundtables with Creative Australia, Create NSW and Regional Arts Australia.

She has also participated in the Wesfarmers First Nations Arts Leadership Program both as a participant and mentor, and the Emerging Arts Professionals Program Australia Council for the Venice Biennale.

“I believe in making space for artists for emergence and experimentation, while also creating meaningful connections with audiences,” Phillips says.

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