Tony Ellwood AM is a leading figure in the Australian arts sector and Director of the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV). He began his career as an Aboriginal Art Coordinator in Kununurra; then worked as a Curator at the NGV. He was Director, Bendigo Art Gallery; Deputy Director - International Art, NGV and Director of the Queensland Art Gallery and the Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA) prior to returning to the NGV as Director in August 2012.

Under Tony’s stewardship, the National Gallery of Victoria has become one of the top 20 most visited galleries in the world.

Tony sits on numerous state and Commonwealth boards. He was on the selection committee of the Venice Biennale in 2005 and 2009; and an international jury member of the Le FRENCH DESIGN 100 Award in 2023. Tony was appointed as a Member in the General Division of the Order of Australia; and Doctor of Arts Honoris Causa, RMIT University in 2018. In the subsequent year, he was awarded Honorary Doctorate, Deakin University; and Doctor of Letters Honoris Causa, La Trobe University. In 2023, he received the rank of Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters from the French Republic. Tony has also been an Adjunct Professor of the Deakin University and La Trobe Art Institute since 2012 and 2013 respectively. He is a current executive and a member of the International Museum Director’s Bizot Group.