Appointment to the National Gallery of Australia Council

The Albanese Government has today announced the appointment of Mr Samuel Edwards as a member of the National Gallery of Australia Council for a three-year term. 

The National Gallery is dedicated to collecting, sharing and celebrating art from Australia and the world. It is home to the country’s most valuable collection of art, with 155,000 works worth around $7 billion – including the world’s largest collection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art.

The Council is responsible for overseeing the Gallery’s strategic and organisational goals and positioning it for the future, so it can continue to deliver on its mission to inspire all Australians.

Minister for the Arts, Tony Burke, said Mr Edwards’ rich experience in organisational governance, and his contribution as the current Bundanon Trust Chair, make him a valuable addition to the Council. 

“Sam Edwards oversaw the expansion of Bundanon.

“He understands the sector and provides the exact skills we need for the board right now.

“We’re thankful that Sam is willing to lend his engineering, governance and building expertise the Council as the Gallery continues its significant capital works repair program.” 

Mr Edwards is the Managing Director of Edwards Constructions, bringing global experience in project procurement, building project design and delivery. 

Mr Edwards was previously chair of Crown Lands Killalea State Park Trust Board and currently sits on a number of advisory committees for both the New South Wales Government and private sector organisations. 

As Chair of the Bundanon Trust, Mr Edwards has had oversight of significant building works including Bundanon’s Art Museum and Bridge project, which won the Sulman Medal for Public Architecture for Kerstin Thompson Architects, the Sir Zelman Cowen Award for Public Architecture and the Royal Institute of British Architects International Awards for Excellence.