New director for Australian Museum

The Australian Museum will get its first female director in April with the appointment of Kim McKay, a former museum trustee who has worked for National Geographic.

NSW Arts Minister George Souris announced the five-year appointment and paid tribute to outgoing director Frank Howarth, who did not seek reappointment after 10 years in the role.

"I congratulate Kim McKay on her appointment to this exciting and challenging role at one of the state's major cultural institutions," Mr Souris said on Wednesday.

"Kim will bring more than 25 years' global experience in communicating and promoting science, cultural history, exploration, and the environment to her role."

Mr Souris said Ms McKay would bring significant experience to the task of increasing the museum's funding base and visitor numbers, while championing the core science role of the institution.

The museum has been at the centre of criticism over funding and staff cuts.

Ms McKay was made an officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in 2008 for distinguished service to the environment and the community, following her work in co-founding Clean Up Australia and Clean Up the World.