Dame Cheryll Sotheran

Chief Executive, TE PAPA

Cheryll Sotheran is committed to positioning museums at the heart of their communities. This commitment has characterised her philosophy and management approach throughout her museum career.

Cheryll taught English and Art History at Auckland University, was director of Govett-Brewster Art Gallery in New Plymouth and then moved to be director of the Dunedin Public Art Gallery.

Cheryll was appointed as the first Chief Executive of the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa in 1993.

Cheryll has taken a leading role in her profession. She has been chairperson of both the New Zealand Art Gallery Directors Council and the Art Galleries and Museums Association of New Zealand.

Cheryll received the Queen Elizabeth II medal in 1990 for services to arts and culture and in 1993 received the Women's Suffrage Medal.

In the 1998 New Year's honours Cheryll was made Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit.