Judges
Maree Clarke
Max Delany
Max Delany is an independent curator, writer and consultant with extensive leadership and curatorial experience across public art museums, contemporary art spaces, universities, publications and the public realm.
Max was Artistic Director and Chief Executive Officer at the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art, Melbourne, from 2016–2024. He was formerly Senior Curator, Contemporary Art, at the National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne (2012–2016), and Director, Monash University Museum of Art (2004–2012), where he oversaw the development of MUMA’s award-winning architectural premises on the Caulfield campus.
Max is Chair of the Board of Next Wave, and adjunct Associate Professor, Curatorial Practice, Monash Art, Design and Architecture.
Photo credit: Casey Horsfield
Sophie Oxenbridge
Sophie Oxenbridge is Senior Curator, Contemporary Art at the National Gallery of Victoria. Prior to joining the NGV as Curator of Contemporary Art in 2023, Sophie held curatorial roles in renowned international art institutions across Australia, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands, including The Museum of Contemporary Art Australia (Sydney), Hayward Gallery and Serpentine Galleries (London) and Vleeshal Center for Contemporary Art (Middelburg).
In her role at the NGV Sophie is responsible for the management of the Contemporary Art curatorial department and collection. She is one of the lead curators for the forthcoming NGV Triennial 2026.
Sophie holds a Masters in Curating Contemporary Art from the Royal College of Art in London, United Kingdom and a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Massey University in Wellington, New Zealand.
Photo credit: Ingrid Rhule