SYDNEY.- The Board of the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia announced the appointment of respected businesswoman and passionate contemporary art collector Lorraine Tarabay as its new Chairman. Tarabay succeeds Simon Mordant AM in this role.

The MCA Board has paid tribute to Simon Mordant, acknowledging his visionary leadership and significant contribution during his tenure as the Museum’s Chairman. Mordant has held a number of roles with the MCA since the beginning: Chair of the Finance Committee from 1996–1999; Chair of the MCA Foundation, which was re-established to raise funds for the $53 million capital campaign for the new building expansion; and Chairman of the MCA Board from 2010–2020.

MCA Director, Elizabeth Ann Macgregor OBE said: “Simon’s contribution to the MCA has been immeasurable. Simon and Catriona [Mordant] have been part of all the key moments in the Museum’s history. Their philanthropic leadership led to the recommencement of our acquisition program and the expansion of the MCA in 2012, which has been truly transformational. Simon’s ongoing commitment to contemporary art and his passion for supporting the Museum’s vision helped to sustain the MCA through a time of extraordinary growth.

“We are thrilled that Simon has agreed to continue his involvement with us in the inaugural role as the MCA International Ambassador. This position will help the Museum build its connections in the international arts community, something that is going to be even more essential in the post-crisis world,” added Macgregor.

Looking back over his time as the Museum’s Chairman, Mordant said he is reminded of the all successes achieved throughout this period: groundbreaking corporate partnerships with Telstra and Qantas/Tate; the development of the Foundation to support the MCA Collection; the opening of the National Centre for Creative Learning (NCCL), which facilitated the expansion of the MCA’s social impact programs; and the ultimate achievement of being acknowledged in Art Newspaper as the most visited contemporary art museum in the world in 2019.

“I am extremely pleased that Lorraine has agreed to succeed me as Chairman of the MCA. I have known Lorraine for over 20 years and have no doubt she will make an excellent Chairman working alongside Liz Ann, her extraordinary team and the amazing Board to take the MCA to new levels of accomplishment,” added Mordant.

Lorraine Tarabay is a former Sydney and New York investment banker specialising in advising corporates, multinationals and government on mergers and acquisitions, capital markets strategy and privatisations. Tarabay is an avid collector of contemporary art and has extensive experience within the not-for-profit sector.

Tarabay joined the Board of the MCA in 2016. She has served as Chair of the MCA’s Director’s Circle and is a member of the Finance Committee and Foundation Council, a group of individuals who secure philanthropic support for new acquisitions for the MCA Collection. She is a member of Tate’s International Council, the Venice Council for Australia’s representation at the Venice Biennale, the Board of Global Women Leaders – Strategic Philanthropy, and the Board of Kincoppal Rose Bay school. 

Elizabeth Ann Macgregor OBE said of the appointment: “The MCA is thrilled that the Board has appointed Lorraine. She has been a highly committed board member from the beginning. Her strong background in finance, passion for contemporary art and commitment to the MCA’s social impact programs is especially welcomed during these difficult times when we need support for art and artists more than ever. I am looking forward to working closely with Lorraine and the other members of our Board.”

Tarabay has welcomed her appointment as the next Chairman and is leading the MCA’s newly established philanthropic venture, the Social Impact through Art Fund, bringing philanthropic support to the Museum’s creative learning initiatives, including GENEXT, kids and family and early learning programs.

Tarabay also commented on this announcement: “I look forward to working closely with the MCA team, its Board of Directors, Liz Ann and artists.

“The MCA has played such an integral part of the cultural fabric of Sydney since it opened nearly 30 years ago. It has led the way for broad and diverse audiences to connect with contemporary art through incredible exhibitions and programming, and it is exemplary in showcasing how art can transform lives. I’m thrilled to be working in this capacity with the MCA and look forward to contributing to its future,” Tarabay said.

Lorraine Tarabay commences as the MCA Chairman from July 2020.