The Australian’s ranking of culture power players has included Art Gallery of NSW director Maud Page among the nation’s 10 most culturally powerful people for 2026, according to the publication’s September 25 assessment that references its feature Culture Power Players: Meet the most influential people in art. Page became the institution’s first female director in March 2025 after serving as deputy director and director of collections since 2017, the Art Gallery of NSW stated. She has overseen record visitation exceeding two million annually while expanding focus on contemporary, First Nations and Asia-Pacific art, according to the gallery. The appointment followed a global search and built on her prior role at the Queensland Art Gallery where she developed the region’s most comprehensive collection of contemporary Pacific art.
According to the Art Gallery of NSW, Page has championed community outreach and international exhibitions such as those featuring Magritte to engage audiences in Western Sydney and regional areas. Her leadership has included opening the Children’s Art Library and the Hive Children’s Festival to broaden participation in the visual arts. The gallery’s executive team was further strengthened in March 2026 with appointments including Wayne Tunnicliffe as director of collections and exhibitions, the institution reported.
Australian auction sales in the art market reached A$149.5 million in 2025, Art Economics figures show, following A$136.1 million the previous year. The global art market totalled US$59.6 billion in 2025 with a four percent increase from the prior period, the same consultancy reported. The Melbourne Art Fair recorded A$16.4 million in sales during its 2026 edition along with 20,987 visitors, organisers said, marking a 10.8 percent rise in sales from 2025.
The Australian Financial Review Magazine compiled the power list through a cultural panel that evaluates individuals’ ability to shape Australia’s view of itself, according to its September 2026 coverage. Other arts-related figures on the list include playwright Suzie Miller whose works have drawn new theatre audiences and publisher Louise Adler whose contributions span literary and performing arts, the magazine stated. The ranking arrives as public institutions navigate post-pandemic recovery with emphasis on accessibility and diverse programming.
Maud Page said in a statement upon her appointment, “I am delighted to have been appointed as the tenth Director of the Art Gallery of NSW, and the first woman to lead this prestigious and vibrant public institution.” She added that she believes in the transformative power of art and looks forward to collaborating with artists, neighbouring institutions and regional galleries to welcome new audiences. The comments were issued by the Art Gallery of NSW in March 2025.
Resale royalty payments for Australian artists have generated more than A$16 million since the scheme began in 2010 with around 65 percent of beneficiaries being First Nations artists, federal arts office data indicates. The scheme applies a five percent royalty on qualifying commercial resales and now includes reciprocal arrangements with 26 countries following additions in March 2025, the office reported. Such mechanisms support artists amid the market’s focus on both primary fairs and secondary auction activity.
