Vanessa Gerrans is the Director of the Warrnambool Art Gallery. Since 2015 she has reinvigorated the gallery’s role as a cultural custodian of the region through her innovative and dynamic (public and exhibition) programs and contribution to reimagining the city centre. Prior to WAG Vanessa worked at the RMIT Gallery where, for over a decade, she curated and collaborated on diverse exhibition programs including major retrospectives and innovative contemporary shows.

Vanessa has completed several highly successful public art, infrastructure and renovation projects for cultural institutions in Victoria and gained substantial philanthropic support for her work. She has curated over 100 exhibitions and published extensively for catalogues on contemporary art and literature.

Her insight into ways to enrich the community in South West Victoria and further engender WAG's role has seen Vanessa working with the Robotics Academy to support the potential of girls in STEAM learning; the LGBTIQA+ community, and Elders of the Maar Nation to stimulate opportunities for engagement and create a sense of place and purpose to benefit youth, education, environment and local economies.