Members approve governance reforms and elect directors
NAVA Members have approved governance reforms and elected five Directors to the Board.
The National Association for the Visual Arts (NAVA) welcomes the approval of its new Constitution and the election of five Directors to its Board following the 2026 Annual General Meeting.
The newly adopted Constitution retains NAVA's longstanding commitment to artist leadership, requiring that at least 50% of Directors are practising artists while also strengthening First Nations representation, and continuing national representation. The election outcome reflects these principles, bringing together artists and arts leaders from five states and territories with expertise spanning visual arts practice, leadership, advocacy and organisational governance.
The following Members have been elected by NAVA's Membership:
Artist Representatives
- Jacky Cheng (WA)
- Jamie Lewis (Vic) - re-elected
- Dr Ryan Presley (Qld) - re-elected
Organisation Representatives
- Caine Chennatt (Tas)
- Janice Falsone (NSW) - re-elected
NAVA Chair Jamie Lewis said the adoption of the new Constitution marked an important milestone for the organisation.
"These reforms strengthen our governance foundations while maintaining NAVA's commitment to artist leadership and member representation.
We are delighted to welcome Jacky Cheng and Caine Chennatt to the Board and to continue working alongside Janice Falsone and Dr Ryan Presley. Together, the Board brings a breadth of experience that will strengthen NAVA's work on behalf of the visual arts, craft and design sector."
The new Constitution is the result of a governance review that began in 2018 and has been progressed by successive Boards. NAVA thanks current and former Directors, Chairs and Governance Subcommittee members who contributed to the review. We also acknowledge the pro bono legal support provided by Birchgrove Legal and thank Dr Terri Janke and Suzanne Derry for their expert advice on First Nations protocols, Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP) considerations, and constitutional reform.
NAVA also extends its sincere thanks to outgoing Directors Sophia Cai, Kate Just and Co-Chair Liz Nowell for their contributions to NAVA's governance, advocacy and strategic development.
Image credit
L to R:
Jacky Cheng with her Imaginary Homelands installation, 2025, National Art School, Sydney. Photo by Nicole Anderson.
Jamie Lewis.
Caine Chennatt.
Ryan Presley, Photo by Sam Roberts.
Janice Falsone, Photo by Hilary Wardhaugh.
ID: A grid of five photo portraits of people smiling, some are in galleries with artwork in the background.
