Steven Alderton is a gallery director, curator and cultural leader with a visionary approach to shaping the future of museums, public collections and contemporary cultural institutions. With more than three decades of experience across Australia and internationally, Steven has led transformational change through curatorial innovation, strategic leadership and a deep commitment to public value and audience engagement.

Steven’s career has been defined by an ability to balance bold creative vision with institutional leadership, overseeing major redevelopment projects, international touring exhibitions, audience-first strategies and the creation of enduring cultural legacies. He brings a multidisciplinary perspective to curating, grounded in a strong foundation in education, research and cultural development. His work spans the visual arts, education, public art, cultural masterplanning and museum renewal, consistently centring community, storytelling and the evolving role of collections in shaping civic identity.

Steven has held senior executive roles in some of Australia’s most prominent cultural institutions. As Director and CEO of the National Art School (NAS), he steered the institution through a period of growth, securing its long-term future with a 45 year lease from the NSW Government and achieving State Significant Organisation status. Under his leadership, NAS expanded its public reach, academic offerings and collection strategy, reinforcing its position as Australia’s most respected institution for fine art education. Steven championed the studio-based teaching model while also building a contemporary, connected vision for NAS as a public institution that engages deeply with artists, students, industry and audiences.

Previously, as Deputy Director and Director of Programs, Exhibitions and Cultural Collections at the Australian Museum, Steven managed the largest Pacific Cultural Collection in the world. He authored the institution’s new Cultural Collections Acquisition Policy, developed a major renewal plan for permanent galleries, and led the delivery of four landmark permanent exhibitions: Garrigarrang: Sea Country, Bayala Nura: Yarning Country, Pacific Spirit and Wild Planet. He also directed internationally acclaimed touring exhibitions such as Spiders and Tyrannosaurs, which reached over 20 venues including the Royal Ontario Museum and The Franklin Institute. His collaboration with Atlantic Productions, David Attenborough and Samsung on digital storytelling initiatives positioned the museum as a leader in immersive technology and audience innovation.

At Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre, Steven worked with community to develop Body Pacifica, a cultural festival and multi-exhibition program that explored Pacific identity, history and the human body across space, time and community. As Director of Lismore Regional Gallery, he established a new collection strategy and secured national funding for cross-artform projects supporting emerging artists. Across all these roles, Steven has demonstrated a deep understanding of the connection between place, people and cultural expression, consistently delivering programs that are both locally relevant and globally resonant.

Steven’s curatorial expertise focuses particularly on the art of the Asia-Pacific region over the past 100 years. His knowledge spans both historical and contemporary practices, enabling him to identify artists and ideas at the forefront of cultural change. He has curated major exhibitions featuring artists such as Tracey Moffatt, Ricky Swallow, John Olsen, Ian Fairweather, Margaret Olley, William Robinson and Nicholas Harding, among many others. He has collaborated with leading institutions including the Biennale of Sydney, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Museum of Contemporary Art Australia and Asia Triennial Manchester, as well as private and regional collections.

His work in collections has extended across the Australian Museum, National Art School, Lismore Regional Gallery, Wagga Wagga City Art Gallery, Redland Art Gallery, Bundaberg Art Centre, and numerous private holdings. His approach to collection development is deeply strategic and narrative-driven, ensuring that acquisitions reflect diverse histories, contemporary practice and a clear curatorial vision. He brings curatorial clarity and long-term thinking to the process of building collections that endure, inspire and reflect the complexity of contemporary culture.

Steven has also contributed significantly to education and policy development. As Chair of the National Art School’s Academic Board, he supported the creation of academic strategies that positioned the school at the forefront of contemporary fine art education. He has worked in close partnership with researchers, academics and cultural agencies to support the integration of scholarship, teaching and public programming.

In addition to his curatorial and directorial work, Steven has made major contributions to the arts sector through governance, advocacy and strategic advisory roles. He has served on numerous boards and committees at local, state and federal levels, including; Chair of Creative Capital Arts Funding Board for Create NSW, Chair of the Local Government Association Arts Funding Board for Create NSW, Member of the WSU Western Sydney Creative committee, Member of the Northern Beaches Public Art Committee, the 24-Hour Economy Advisory Group for Investment NSW, Visual Arts Board of the Australia Council and Chair of the Sydney Marae Alliance Foundation. His expertise in placemaking, arts infrastructure and cultural strategy continues to influence the broader sector, particularly through his involvement with public art committees, arts boards and government policy working groups.

Steven’s leadership is marked by a strong entrepreneurial mindset and a deep commitment to public good. He has raised millions in philanthropic support, brokered high-impact partnerships and led initiatives that connect cultural institutions with new audiences. His focus on audience development, digital transformation and place-based programming ensures that museums and galleries remain relevant, accessible and vital in a rapidly changing world.

Today, Steven continues to shape curatorial and institutional projects that bridge cultural vision with operational excellence. Whether directing major institutions, advising museums, curating exhibitions or developing new cultural strategies, he brings a consistent dedication to artistic quality, civic impact and audience connection. His legacy is one of transformation — of places, collections and institutions — always with a view to the future of culture in public life.