The National Portrait Gallery of Australia will be searching for a new director after it was announced Angus Trumble will not renew his contract when it expires.
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In a statement, the board of the gallery said Mr Trumble had advised them that he intends to pursue a number of writing and other projects when his contract finishes.
His contract expires in February 2019.
Mr Trumble said his period as director "has been extremely rich and rewarding", however he believed that young and vibrant institutions benefit from periodic leadership changes.
Chairman of the board Dr Helen Nugent thanked Mr Trumble.
"We are extraordinarily grateful to Angus for all he has done to put us in such a strong position," Dr Nugent said.
"This is not the time for farewells. Much more remains to be done in the intervening period. However we are in Angus's debt for giving us significant notice of his intent, thereby allowing us to plan for the future".
Mr Trumble was appointed director of the National Portrait Gallery of Australia in 2013 after moving from the US to take the position.
The board said the search for a new director will start shortly and said the recruitment and transition period may take some time.
In September this year, Gerard Vaughan, director of the National Gallery of Australia announced his retirement. Mr Trumble's announcement leaves vacancies to fill at two of Australia's leading cultural institutions.