The Hellenic Museum announced the appointment of Sarah Craig as CEO and Head of Curation of the Hellenic Museum of Melbourne, an establishment which recently dominated the press thanks to its collaboration with the prestigious Benaki Museum in Athens and possible move to the iconic Land Titles office.

Ms Craig, who has been with the Hellenic Museum since 2014 and the museum’s curator since 2015, will guide the museum in the post-COVID-19 era, a time of significant global change. A museum statement announces that Ms Craig, who graduated with a Masters in Art Curatorship and Museum Studies from the University of Melbourne in 2015 to “lead the strategic planning, realisation and implementation to realise the Museum’s ambitions”.

The statement made no mention of Mr Tatoulis, and Neos Kosmos approached him for comment. “I must admit that this release caught me a little by surprise. I was not involved or consulted in its drafting,” he said.

“I think it doesn’t do the Museum or the people behind it any favours and was perhaps naively distributed prematurely. As to its contents or lack thereof, and its implications, I actually can’t comment at the moment. Perhaps I might be able to in a few days. I guess my achievements and current attitude can speak on my behalf.”

READ MORE: Melbourne’s new Greek museum to promote Greek history and culture to the world

Ms Craig has a Masters in Art Curatorship and Museum Studies from the University of Melbourne where she graduated in 2015, and a Bachelor’s (Honors) from Monash where she graduated in 2002 and is planning to put her studies to good use. “I am  delighted to evolve my leadership role at the Hellenic Museum. I am stepping into this position brimming with creativity and energised to lead the strategic vision of the Museum as we prepare for reopening and beyond,” she said.

Harry Stamoulis, Chairman of the Hellenic Museum, said that Ms Craig was chosen for the role based on her “talent and intimate (6-year) knowledge of the Hellenic Museum” and he hopes that this will allow her to move “flexibly” now that the groundwork has been laid for greater growth. “Sarah is an inspiring, thoughtful and experienced leader with an ingrained passion for art, history and culture,” Mr Stamoulis said.

READ MORE: New Benaki museum planned for $244-million CBD Melbourne tower

Ms Craig is taking the leadership at a time when it is on the cusp of becoming a global centre for the promotion of Greek history and culture. Last week, Greece’s Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis referred to the Hellenic Museum’s collaboration with the Benaki as exemplary. Mr Tatoulis had told Neos Kosmos that the latest developments would make Melbourne a global centre for the promotion of Greek history and culture when he revealed the ambitious plans.