Management

The South Australian Museum is managed by a Board with a diverse range of business, arts, science and cultural expertise. They determine the strategic direction for the Museum, and are responsible for the obligations of the Museum as determined by the South Australian Museum Act 1976. The day-to-day operations of the Museum are the responsibility of the Executive team. The Executive team approves internal decisions relating to running the Museum and aid the Board in achieving the strategic objectives of the Museum.

Museum board

The Board of the South Australian Museum oversees the management of the Museum in accordance with the South Australian Museum Act 1976, and state and federal government regulations.

The Board consists of a maximum of seven members. Each member is appointed to a three year term. Board members are eligible for reappointment for a maximum of three consecutive terms. Board members are appointed by the Governor of South Australia.  

Chair

• Professor Robert Saint AM

Members

• Vicki Wilson

• Chris Daniels

• Brett Miller

• Kylie Bishop

Executive team

Our Executive team oversees the day-to-day operations and strategic direction of the Museum. It is led by Dr Samantha Hamilton, Director of the South Australian Museum.

Members of the Leadership team include:

Dr Samantha Hamilton
Director, South Australian Museum

Dr Hamilton has more than 30 years of cross-sector experience, including in the private, public, not-for-profit, and cultural sectors. She leads the South Australian Museum with a focus on long-term institutional sustainability, strategic growth, cultural stewardship, and community impact.

Her expertise spans enterprise strategy, partnerships, philanthropic and investment growth, governance reform, and the delivery of complex projects. She aligns cultural institutions with government priorities, strengthens First Nations partnerships, and translates research and collections into lasting public value.

Adam Moriarty
Director, Collections and Research

Adam Moriarty has almost 20 years of experience as a museum digital innovator, open access advocate, and galleries, libraries, archives and museums (GLAM) open data specialist. He provides executive leadership across collections and research strengthening the Museum’s role as a globally connected institution.

Since joining the South Australian Museum, he has led the internationally recognised Science Centre and overseen major institutional initiatives including, the Cultural Institutions Storage Facility relocation, enhancing infrastructure, research and public engagement capacity.

Museum Foundation

The South Australian Museum Foundation exists to progress the work of the Museum in sharing its collections, stories and science with a worldwide audience. The Foundation Board is comprised of volunteer community leaders and philanthropists who work the Museum executive to raise much-needed funds to run special projects, and to build relationships that will be beneficial to Museum.

Members

• Andrew Carmichael (Chair)

• Debra Sarre (Deputy Chair)

• Tom Nguyen (Treasurer)

• Leko Novakovic (Secretary)

• Ida Wong

• Samuel Joyce

• Brett Miller (South Australian Museum Board Member)

• Dr Samantha Hamilton (South Australian Museum Director)