She is known for her determination, tenacious work ethic and colourful wardrobe. But what Liz Ann Macgregor is most passionate about is linking artists with audiences. As the Director of the Museum of Contemporary Art, she has transformed the MCA into a thriving public gallery.

The redevelopment, completed in March 2012, was a crucial part of Liz Ann’s vision of connecting audiences with artists.

Elizabeth Ann began her career in the art world as curator – and driver – for the Scottish Arts Council’s travelling gallery. Her next stop was the Arts Council of Great Britain in 1985. In 1989, she became director of one of the UK’s leading contemporary art galleries, the Ikon Gallery.

In 1999, Liz Ann moved to Sydney to take up the directorship of the Museum of Contemporary Art at a time when the MCA was facing great challenges. She negotiated a sponsorship deal with Telstra in 2000 to introduce free admission and since then attendances have increased dramatically,

A new funding deal with the NSW Government and the Australia Council to replace the University of Sydney gave the MCA financial stability and encouraged further private sector support. But it was all about art: her passion for bringing artists work into the wider public arena has led her to establish programs not only at Circular Quay but also in Western Sydney and across the state.

She is a regular contributor to conferences, seminars, radio and television programs on arts issues. Liz Ann is currently on the board of Fauna and Flora International Australia, the Council of Australian Art Museum Directors. She was elected to the board of CIMAM last year.

In 2003, Elizabeth Ann was awarded the Centenary Medal for services to the Australian public and contemporary art. In 2007 she won the Significant Innovation category in the Equity Trustees Not for Profit CEO awards. One year late, in 2008, she was awarded the Veuve Clicquot Business Woman Award and the Australia Business Arts Foundation Dame Elisabeth Murdoch Arts Business Leadership Award. Liz Ann received an OBE in the Queen’s birthday honour list and the Australia Council Visual Arts Medal in 2011.