Entertainment · Books & Arts · 1 hr ago
Powerhouse appoints Kylie Kwong to $440,000 ambassador role
The Powerhouse Museum in New South Wales has appointed chef Kylie Kwong as its culinary industry leader and ambassador.
Her two-year contract is worth $440,000 in public money and is believed to be part-time.
It began on August 1, a month after the museum’s $2.6 million Associates program ended, despite a previous statement that associates would not receive continuing roles.
The museum says the contract followed an open request for quotes and was approved under its financial rules.
The appointment has drawn criticism from the union representing Powerhouse workers, which has raised concerns about the museum’s spending and use of consultants.
The museum is already under scrutiny over overspending and an executive procurement investigation referred to the state anti-corruption commission.
Powerhouse Parramatta is due to open to the public on November 7.
The Powerhouse Museum appointed chef Kylie Kwong as its culinary industry leader and ambassador under a two-year contract worth $440,000.
The contract took effect on August 1, about a month after the museum’s Associates program ended.
The appointment drew criticism from the Public Service Association of NSW amid scrutiny of the museum’s spending and procurement practices.
The museum said the contract followed an open request-for-quote process and was approved under its financial delegations.
The role is believed to be part-time and does not involve catering or operating food venues.
- Who
- The Powerhouse Museum appointed chef Kylie Kwong.
- What
- Kwong received a two-year role as the museum’s culinary industry leader and ambassador, worth $440,000.
- When
- The contract took effect on August 1, 2026. A government contract notice was published on October 3.
- Where
- The Powerhouse Museum in New South Wales, Australia.
- Why
- The sources do not state the museum’s reason for appointing Kwong.
Powerhouse Museum
Public Service Association of NSW
Contract process
Powerhouse Museum
The museum said the contract was awarded through an open request-for-quote process and approved under its financial delegations.
Public Service Association of NSW
The PSA said the contract would confirm members’ concerns about the museum’s spending and direction.
Museum’s direction
Powerhouse Museum
The museum did not directly respond to the PSA’s criticism of its direction in the reported comments.
Public Service Association of NSW
The PSA said the museum was becoming an entertainment precinct rather than a museum.
The Powerhouse’s $2.6 million Associates program, which included Kwong, ended.
Kwong’s ambassador contract took effect.
A NSW government contract notice revealing the appointment was published.
The SMH reported the appointment and criticism of the contract.
- Contract value
- $440,000
- Contract term
- Two years
- Role
- Culinary industry leader/ambassador
- Contract start
- August 1, 2026
- Associates program cost
- $2.6 million over five years
- Museum spokesperson’s stated process
- Open request for quote advertised on Buy NSW
What people are saying
The contract was awarded through an open request for quote process advertised on Buy NSW, in line with the NSW Procurement Policy Framework, and was approved under the Powerhouse’s financial delegations.
The release of this new contract will only confirm our members’ concerns that the new museum is transforming into an entertainment precinct and not a museum at all.
We have been raising concerns with the minister [Arts Minister John Graham] for years about expenditure of the Powerhouse Parramatta site and engagement of consultants – both their necessity and their cost.
Sources
Related news
Painting bought for $30 at Michigan estate sale draws $1.35 million bid
Takarazuka civic hall reopens and will display Riku Miura memorabilia
Miau Fest in Mexico City to host Halloween and Day of the Dead events for cats
Sacha Baron Cohen to star in Tarantino’s first West End play
Ten Far Side Comics Bring Horror Humor to Halloween
Attack on Titan musical to run in Singapore from April 2027
Five lesser-known high fantasy books highlighted for readers
Smulders, Ostermann and Yentl en de Boer win Dutch cabaret awards
Agatha Christie’s Works Remain Popular 50 Years After Her Death
Tarek Atoui fills Tate Modern’s Turbine Hall with sound and sculpture
Paramount+’s Treasure Island puts David Oyelowo in the role of Long John Silver
