Tweed Shire Council has announced the appointment of Ingrid Hedgcock as the new Director of the Tweed Regional Gallery & Margaret Olley Art Centre.

With more than 25 years’ experience in the arts sector, Ms Hedgcock boasts an extensive career traversing arts leadership and curation in the regional arts sector.

She will bring passionate dedication to the continued development of the Gallery as both a renowned cultural space and top regional attraction.

Ms Hedgcock began her arts career in 1995, working as a gallery assistant at the Brett Whiteley Studio in Sydney. This position ignited a deep appreciation for artist home studio recreations and preservations and a passion for working in the industry.

She assumed the role of Curator of the Margaret Olley Art Centre (MOAC) at its inception in 2014 and has since curated 20 exhibitions in the space, exploring the art, life and legacy of the renowned Australian artist, Margaret Olley.

Over the past decade, she has played an integral part in the Centre’s creative direction and unparalleled success. As the Gallery’s Manager of Collections, Ms Hedgcock has been responsible for the care and development of the collection, ensuring its significance as a Tweed community asset.

Ms Hedgcock said she was excited to take on the new challenge as Gallery Director.

“I have been privileged to work with the Gallery team since 2014 as a curator. Now, as Director I look forward to working with our wonderful staff, volunteers and support organisations in this new capacity,” Ms Hedgcock said.

Council’s Director Sustainable Communities & Environment Naomi Searle said she was excited to welcome Ms Hedgcock to the role, saying she had been impressed by Ingrid’s passion and dynamism in her previous role.

“Ingrid has shown an incredible wealth of curatorial knowledge and is highly regarded by her colleagues as a leader who can build on the incredible success that this treasured cultural facility has experienced,” Ms Searle said.

“We are confident Ingrid will continue her excellent work at the Gallery and I am excited to see where her vision for the centre takes it in the future. We wish Ingrid every success in her new role.”

Ms Searle thanked outgoing Director Susi Muddiman OAM for her dedication and professionalism over her 16 years at the helm. Ms Muddiman stepped down as the Gallery’s Director in November to take up a new leadership role at the Home of the Arts (HOTA) on the Gold Coast.