Chief executive of Sydney’s anticipated Parramatta Powerhouse museum steps down two months before grand opening
Lisa Havilah had stood aside pending “investigations into governance and procurement”, according to New South Wales’ arts minister
Sydney's highly anticipated Parramatta Powerhouse museum museum project is facing a crisis after its chief executive Lisa Havilah announced her resignation. The decision comes just over two months before the museum's grand opening on November 7th. The arts minister for New South Wales, John Graham, revealed that Havilah has stepped aside pending "investigations into governance and procurement" at the Powerhouse.
Despite the turmoil, the museum is set to open as planned with a major community day to celebrate the occasion. Powerhouse staff were informed of Havilah's departure through an email from Melanie Hawyes, the secretary of the Department of Creative Industries, Tourism, Hospitality and Sport. The Powerhouse, which is the largest museum ever built in New South Wales, features over 18,000 square meters of public and exhibition space and will house seven large-scale, column-free exhibition spaces.
Havilah joined the Powerhouse in 2018 after seven years as the chief executive of Carriageworks, Sydney's arts precinct. The museum will now be led by NSW government architect Abbie Galvin as chief executive officer and former Sydney Opera House chief executive Louise Herron as strategic advisor.
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