Shane Breynard

Background

About Shane Breynard

My working life has been shaped around my interests in culture, democracy and inclusion, and guided by my passion to empower Australians to participate more fully in the social, political and economic life of their community. In December 2021 I commenced Director Operations & Strategy with the Australian Academy of the Humanities. I have a wealth of government experience as a cultural, environmental, First Nations affairs and municipal services advisor; as a creative producer and cultural planner; a regional gallery and museum director; and project manager. Most recently I worked as Director, Canberra Museum and Gallery and Director, Corporate Strategy at the Cultural Facilities Corporation. Over eight years in this role I was privileged to see CMAG’s annual visitation rise from to and its community of interest diversify beyond expectation. I am a regular contributor to the community, cultural and academic life of Canberra and Australia. I currently serve as Deputy Chair of the UNESCO Australian Memory of the World Committee and Deputy President of the Historian's Network of the Australian Museum and Galleries Association (AMaGA). I have previously served as a National Councillor of AMaGA, a member of ACT Health’s Arts in Health Committee and as Vice President of the Committee of the Alliance Française de Canberra. Background I studied at the Australian National University where I was awarded a first class honours degree, the university medal and a master of arts degree by research. I subsequently gained a second masters degree, in environment, from the University of Melbourne. After working in the UK for four years, I returned to Canberra in and was awarded an Australia Council for the Arts New Media grant to work in collaboration with an artist in Brasilia. I have worked as managing editor at Art Monthly Australia, as a cultural planner and in government arts policy and infrastructure roles (including delivery of Canberra Glassworks and planning for Belconnen Arts Centre). From 2008 to 2011 I was senior advisor, and latterly Chief of Staff, to former ACT Chief Minister, Jon Stanhope.