Biography

Max Delany is an independent curator, artistic director and consultant with extensive leadership and curatorial experience across public art museums, contemporary art spaces, universities, publications and the public realm. As a curator, writer and publisher, and an experienced consultant in public art and architectural contexts, Max has a deep commitment to the cultural and intellectual life of contemporary art and artists, and the contribution that artists and creative practitioners make to our cultural life, identity and sense of community.

Max was Artistic Director and Chief Executive Officer at the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art, Melbourne, from 2016–2024. He was formerly Senior Curator, Contemporary Art, at the National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne (2012–2016), and Director, Monash University Museum of Art (2004–2012), where he oversaw the development of MUMA’s award-winning architectural premises on the Caulfield campus. Previous roles have included Director, Gertrude Contemporary (1999–2004); and Curator, Heide Museum of Modern Art (1995–1999).

Since 2011 Max has held the position of adjunct Associate Professor, Curatorial Practice, Monash Art, Design and Architecture, and was awarded a Monash University Fellowship in 2018.

He is currently Chair of the Board of Next Wave, a member of the International Association of Art Critics, and was previously Deputy Chair, Contemporary Art Organisations Australia (CAOA) from 2019-2024.

Max has served on numerous government, academic, editorial and professional boards, advisory committees and juries.

As a curator and consultant, Max has worked on public art strategy and procurement for diverse architecture, precinct, campus and infrastructure projects, with partners including Agency Projects, ARM Architecture, Atlassian, BKK Architects, City of Melbourne, Edmond Corrigan Architects, Greenshoot Consulting, Japan Foundation, JCB Architects, MAPCo., Monash University, Rail Projects Victoria, Suburban Rail Link Authority, among others.

For further information, please see Projects and Publications.