New leaders join Cultural Experiences team
The Gallery and its wider leadership group have welcomed two new leaders – Lleah Smith in the role of Cultural Experiences Public Programmes and Learning Lead, and Frith Williams as Museum Lead, Puke Ariki.
Lleah practices at the intersection of pedagogy, art, and the curatorial, and has made significant contributions in Australia and Asia since 2013, both working independently and through institutional roles.
Her PhD research at Monash University and the University of Illinois positions the fermentation process as a model for teaching and a guiding force for change. Smith is dedicated to creating spaces that foster caring environments that enable difference to flourish, and she employs common worlds and radical pedagogical frameworks for gathering, listening, and sharing to explore how cohesive societies can be cultivated.
Most recently, Smith held the role of Curator, Programs and Learning at the Biennale of Sydney, was an Artistic Associate at Powerhouse, and an Artistic Lead: 4AGenerations, 4A Centre for Contemporary Asian Art. She is a curator participating in the NSW Health Curatorium for the Randwick and Westmead Redevelopment Projects (2025).
Her socially engaged art projects include Hidden Lessons, Powerhouse (2021-2022), FUTURE SCHOOL, Cementa22 (2022), and other projects include Radical Care Kit, Sydney Children’s Hospital (2023-2024), The Waterhouse, 23rd Biennale of Sydney, rīvus (2021-2022), & Kaldor Studio, Kaldor Public Art Projects x Art Gallery of NSW (2019).
Lleah joined the team from Sydney in late September, though is undertaking a pre-committed international residency in November – December 2024.
Frith Williams takes up the position of Puke Ariki Museum Lead in November, joining the Cultural Experiences leadership team from Te Papa Tongarewa Museum of New Zealand, where she has held a number of significant roles, most recently Head of Experience Design and Content.
Frith has guided some of Te Papa’s most visited exhibitions, including the last long-term redevelopment, Te Taiao | Nature, and more recently Ngā Taniwha o Rūpapa | Dinosaurs of Patagonia, and has been central to others, including Gallipoli. In 2015, she received a Fulbright scholarship to explore exhibition innovations in the USA.
Earlier in her career, Frith was an Editor/Project Manager for the educational publisher Learning Media and an Indexer for National Library. She's also worked as a Concept Developer and Writer.
“NPDC’s Cultural Experiences lead team oversees the strategic and inclusive development and direction of the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery|Len Lye Centre, Puke Ariki Museum, and Puki Ariki central and community libraries. In welcoming Frith and Lleah to the leadership group, alongside Principal Librarian Angela Jowitt, and Community Engagement and Development Lead Antony Rhodes, we have an enormous wealth of experience from both within and relevant to the cultural sector, says Dr Zara Stanhope, Cultural Experiences Team Manager.
“With these and other recent appointments, the cultural institutions in Ngāmotu are excellently placed to contribute individually and collectively toward enriching local, national and International communities of interest.”