National Gallery of Australia to remember former director Betty Churcher with inaugural memorial oration

She had no example of where a career in the arts may lead her. Still, she would go on to be not only the first and only female to become National Gallery of Australia director - holding the role from 1990 to 1997 - but she would also be the first woman to lead an Australian tertiary education centre, and the first woman to lead a state gallery as director of the Art Gallery of Western Australia.

So it seems fitting that as the National Gallery of Australia introduces its inaugural oration, which has a focus on women in the arts, it is named in honour of Ms Churcher.

Thursday sees the first Betty Churcher Memorial Oration, which will feature leading women of the arts, including Australian and international speakers, who inspire creativity, inclusivity, engagement and learning in their practice.

Ms Churcher, who died in 2015, was committed to removing barriers that stand between the audience and a work of art. During her time at the National Gallery of Australia became known as "Betty Blockbuster" for her commitment to large-scale exhibitions that engage beyond the traditional gallery-goer.

National Gallery of Australia director Nick Mitzevich said the way Churcher brought art to life had always been an inspiration to him, and the spirit of her inclusive approach continues in the gallery's current vision to lead a contemporary cultural agenda, particularly when it comes to gender equity within its collection.

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"We thought that the best way to start this is to celebrate a very eminent director, who was a trailblazer even before she got to the National Gallery," Mr Mitzevich said.

"Betty is very much known across Australia as a leading educator and public gallery director. Even after her time at the National Gallery, she then went on to continue making art accessible to people with her ABC TV series, where she would introduce a work of art to the ABC audience. She then published a number of books on art in public collections. So it's a great place to start with Betty's legacy."

The inaugural event will feature Melissa Chiu, the director of the Smithsonian's Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, who will be in conversation with journalist Julia Baird.

The event will delve into Dr Chiu's career in the arts, her personal story starting from growing up in Darwin, Northern Territory to now working in Washington, United States, as well as the future for women artists and how museums engage new audiences.

"Melissa Chiu may not be known to Australian audiences, however, she's one of the most successful expatriate Australians working on the international art scene," Mr Mitzevitch said.

"She has elevated the voice of Asian artists, particularly, and I think certainly connecting us with our neighbours is a really important aspect of what the National Gallery needs to do."

The Betty Churcher Memorial Oration is on Thursday from 7pm. To register go to nga.gov.au.

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