In May, Cumpston will take up the position of Director of the Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Art Collection at the University of Virginia, Charlottesville, USA.
A proud Barkandji artist, Cumpston has made a lasting impact on the Australian art world. She was appointed the first Curator of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art at AGSA in 2008 and has played a pivotal role in the curation of 16 major exhibitions.
In 2014, she became the inaugural Artistic Director of Tarnanthi, AGSA’s celebrated platform for contemporary Indigenous art. Tarnanthi will mark its 10th anniversary this year.
Cumpston’s work has earned her significant recognition, including an Order of Australia Medal in 2020 for her outstanding service to Indigenous art. She has also been honoured with the South Australian Premier’s NAIDOC Award in 2013 and the Stephen Gadlabarti Goldsmith Memorial Award in 2019.
A bright future for Indigenous art
Cumpston shared her excitement about the new role: “I’m truly honoured to take on the role of Director at the Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Art Collection. This is a unique opportunity to extend the work I’ve done over the past 17 years into an international context. I’m excited to continue working with the artists I’ve supported, and I look forward to showcasing their work to new audiences in the US and beyond.”
Under Cumpston’s leadership, Tarnanthi has gained international acclaim for its commitment to working respectfully and ethically with First Nations artists and communities. Emma Fey, Acting Director of AGSA, praised Cumpston’s transformative contribution, noting that AGSA’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art collection has grown significantly under her guidance, positioning the gallery as a global leader in Indigenous art.
While transitioning to her new role, Cumpston will continue to oversee the 2025 Tarnanthi festival. Tyme Childs, recently appointed Tarnanthi Producer, will take on a leading role in producing the festival, with Cumpston providing artistic direction.
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