Mya Morrison-Middleton

Last week we officially welcomed Mya Morrison-Middleton (Ngāi Tūāhuriri, Ngāi Tahu), our new Visitor Programmes Coordinator to the DPAG family.  Not a totally new face, Mya already has a relationship with the gallery through her previous co-curatorship, alongside Piupiu Maya Turei, Aroha Novak and Madison Kelly, of the 2021-2022 exhibition He reka te Kūmara and as an artist in Paemanu: Tauraka Toi.

A practicing artist with an art history background from the University of Otago, Mya also takes the opportunity to widen her understanding and skill set. Over the past few years she’s been learning Māori weaving practices and is taking part in mahi toi classes at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa currently focused on kōwhaiwhai patterns.

Mya isn’t new to this industry; you may recognise her from her previous role as Public Programme Coordinator at Blue Oyster Art Project Space where she developed engaging programmes and experiences for their audiences – which makes her the perfect fit for her new position here at DPAG. 

When I asked Mya what drew her to the visitor programmes role, she was quick to state that although the covid pandemic has changed the way in which audiences can engage with our programmes, it was the opportunity to create programmes that push people’s understanding beyond what they think art is that interests her. Experiences that push boundaries but are fun, welcoming, and meaningful.

So watch this space, Mya has a myriad of ideas and we look forward to welcoming you to experience them here at DPAG in the coming months.

Noho ora mai
Rachel Cooper
Audience Development Manager, Dunedin Public Art Gallery

[image: Mya Morrison-Middleton with the work Kua hoki mai ngā Karae 2021 (detail) by Ross Hemera [Waitaha, Ngāti Māmoe, Ngāi Tahu], part of the Hurahia ana kā Whetū exhibition. Photo by Justin Spiers.]