AlburyCity Council is seeking a new artistic team to lead Murray Art Museum Albury.

MAMA Director Jacqui Hemsley is returning, as was planned, to her role of Cultural Services Group Leader until mid September and will then take up the position of Manager of Cultural Services at Lake Macquarie Council on the NSW central coast.

MAMA Curator Bianca Acimovic is returning to her home state of Queensland to to take up the role as the Director of Rockhampton Art Gallery.

Built at a total cost of $10.5m, it has seen more than 84,000 visitors since it opened in October 2015. It was initially predicted to inject around $9.66M into the local economy in its first year, but that figure is now estimated to be closer to $20M – more than double expectations.

Ms Hemsley said: “MAMA is now ready for a dynamic, experienced and ambitious Director to grab the reins and take this nationally recognised art museum and team to new heights as a regional arts leader”.

“I’m very proud to see Bianca, MAMA’s first Curator, move on to a wonderful opportunity to be the director of her own gallery. It’s important that MAMA not only builds artistic careers but professional ones as well.

“I urge everyone to come and see SPEED: The Fast & the Curious, her farewell to MAMA, which opens on 20 August.”

AlburyCity’s Community and Recreation Director James Jenkins thanked Ms Hemsley and Ms Acimovic for their dedication to MAMA.

“They have done a remarkable job for MAMA, for AlburyCity and for our community,” he said.

“They have put MAMA on the map. We’re now seeking a new team to seize this incredible opportunity to take MAMA to the next level.”

Ms Acimovic’s last day will be the official opening of SPEED on Saturday 20 August.

“I’m very proud of this exhibition and we’re going into overdrive for SPEED‘s opening. We’re even closing Dean Street for a street parade of vehicles from 9.30am on Saturday 20 August for the opening of the exhibition,” Ms Acimovic said.