Janice Falsone is leaving the directorship of Canberra Contemporary Art Space after nearly three years at the helm to take up the top job at the South East Centre for Contemporary Art in Bega.

Falsone, who is a respected photographic artist and administrator, will step down in mid-January and the board will soon start looking for a new director.

During her time at CCAS she was responsible for securing increased government funding and philanthropy, also introducing and directing a rebranding, about to be revealed.

She is sure to be a steady pair of hands at the troubled SECCA that, after a bright start in 2023 when the former Bega Regional Art Gallery unveiled its $3.5 million redevelopment and expansion, was beset with troubles.

Its former director, Iain Dawson, was convicted in October of defrauding the institution of tens of thousands of dollars in ticket sales from a touring exhibition of the Archibald Prize, money he paid back 12 days after admitting to the theft.

Falsone has been a prominent member of the ACT arts community, was one of the driving forces behind the move of M16 to its premises in Griffith and was previously director of PhotoAccess.

With her impressive track record in running cultural organisations and a young family likely to enjoy country life, the surprise move makes a lot of sense.