Curator & Cultural Practitioner

With over twenty years of experience in the visual arts and cultural sector, Ann Snell’s practice spans curatorial work, education, and community engagement. Managing national and international exhibitions.

Ann Snell Gallery

Ann founded the Ann Snell Gallery at 24, directing it from 2003 to 2016 and representing over 180 artists, including more than 160 Indigenous artists. Ann is known for building trusted relationships, navigating complex cultural contexts, and ensuring artists’ voices remain central.

  • Organised and curated new exhibitions every eight weeks, including identifying and acquiring artworks that reflected the gallery’s cultural themes and vision.
  • Curated Rock & Reconcile, a cultural event blending music and art, where I sourced 30–40 Indigenous artworks to complement the event’s focus on cultural reconciliation. 
  • Collaborated with artists, collectors, government cultural institutions, and private companies to source and acquire artworks, ensuring the gallery’s exhibitions aligned with its mission to promote Indigenous art and cultural heritage.  
  • Travelled to remote communities across Australia, attending Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander awards, to build relationships with artists and learn directly from community leaders. I gained cultural insights into what could be ethically shared with the public, adhering to cultural sensitivities. 
  • As a founding member of the Indigenous Art Code, I contributed to developing this government framework that regulates the ethical practices of businesses working with Indigenous artists.  
  • After five years of running the gallery, I was anonymously nominated and appointed by the Australia Day Council as an Australia Day Ambassador, in recognition of my contributions to promoting Indigenous art and culture.
  • As a founding member of the Indigenous Art Code of Conduct, her work is grounded in cultural integrity, ethical practice, and strong artist advocacy.

Artist Representation

Indigenous artists: Anna Price Petyarre, Aileen Mbitjana, Angelina Bridley, Amelia Amos, Able Naborlh, Agnes Fry Nampijinpa, Alan Griffiths, Anna Tilmouth, Annie Purvis Mbitjana, Annie Wurrkidj, Aubrey Angus Tjangala, Barney Ellaga, Bessy Purvis Petyarre, Betty Club Mpitjana, Barbara Weir, Betsy Lewis Napangardi, Biddy White Napljarri, Barbara Reid Napangardi, Bess Napanankga Poulson, Cynthia Nanala, Colleen Day, Clayton Hunter, Chriselda Alkawari Farmer, Carolyn Price Pula, Colleen Wallace Nungari, Dolly Mills Petyarre, Dulice Kelly Napangardi, Deborah Young Tjupurrula, Doris Rider Napaltjarri, Dorothy Napangardi, Donna Napurrula Wilson, Dianne Dixon, Elizabeth Marks Nakamarra, Evelyn Pultara, Elizabeth Loy Kngwarreye, Evelyn Nampijinpa Daniels, Edward Jangla Smith, Eddie Aning-Mirra Kerry, Elsie Dixon Penangk, Frank Japanangka, Felicity Robertson Nampitjinpa, Greeny Purvis Petyarre, Graham Gordon Tjuprrula, Gloria Mills, Gloria Tamerre Petyarre, Heather Nalan, Ian Thompson, Ivan Dennis, Joseph Payne Ngale, Julie Purvis Mpetyane, Jon Jebydah, Jedda Purvis Kngwarreye, Jean Petyarre, Janice Clarke Kngwarreye, Janet Golder Kngwarreye, Janet Long Nakamarra, Jason Coulthard, Joy Nangala Brown, Jessie Hunter, Jessie Bird Ngale, Janey Nolan Napanangka, Judy Purvis Kngwarreye, Josephine Bundy Petyarre, Janelle Stockman Napaltjarri, Joylene Reid Napangardi, Judy Watson Napangardi, Jimmy Tchooga, Joshua Djununwanga, James Iyuna, Jeanie Long Petyarre, June Bird Ngale, Katie Kemarre, Kim Napurrula,   Katie Morgan, Kim Butler Naparrula, Kathleen Purvis Kemarre, Katrina Greeny Mpetyane, Kudditji Kngwarreye, Linda Syddick Napaltjarri, Lofty Bardayal Nadamerrek, Louise Nangala Egan, Lorna Purvis Penangke, Lorna Fencer Nappurrula, Lorna Napananka, Lola Nampijinpa Brown, Louise Numina Napananka, Lizzy Pwerle, Lindsay Bird Mpetyane, Lilly Kelly Napangardi, Lulu Laradjbi, Lena Nungarrayi Brown, Maureen Hudson Nampitjinpa, Myrtle Petyarre, Maria Nungala, Michael Nelson Jagamara, Maggie Napangardi Collins, Margaret Baragurra, Maureen Dixon Penangke, Mitjili Naparrula, Monica Napaltjarri, Makinti Napanangka, Mary Morton Kemarre, Maggie Bird Mpetyane, Marlene Coombe, Mantua James Nangala, Margaret Lewis Napangardi, Mavis Kunoth Mpetyane, Marlene Young Nungurrayi, Minnie Motorcar Pwerle, Maureen Purvis Ngwarai, Mary Brown Napangardi, Marcie Petyarre, Margaret Milner Nangala, Molly Napurrula Martin, Ningura Gibson Naparrula, Nellie Marks Nakamarra, Nora Petyarre Club, Nancy Kunoth Petyarre, Nancy Nungurrayi, Narrabri Nakamarra, Ngipi Ward, Nancy Gibson Napanangka, Nyilyari Tjapangati, Nellie Wayne Nangala, Pauline Napangardi Gallagher, Pauline Morgan Petyarre, Pantjiya Nungurrayi, Patsy Long Kemarre, Peggy Purvis Mpetyane, Peter Nabarlambarl, Petra Turner, Percy Paine, Patricia Jackson Napanangka, Queenie Lion Kemarre, Rosemary Bird Petyarre, Ronnie Tjampitjinpa, Roslyn Napaljarri Jones, Rosemary Bird Ngale, Rita Loy Pwerle, Rosie Pwerle, Rebecca Reid, Susan Gibson Napaltjarri, Shaun Edwards – Kalk, Sarrita King Jungala, Selma Nampitjinpa Downs, Shanna Nelson Nakamarra, Shirley Dixon Kemarre, Selma Sampson Napitjinpa, Shorty Robertson Jangala, Selina Wise, Steven Japanangka Marshall, Thomas Tjapaltjarri, Tatali Napurrula, Tina Malbunka, Therese Wallace, Tarisse Marie King, Teresa Purla, Trisha Petyarre, Tom Djumpurrpurr, Wendy Kunoth Petyarre, Wentja Napaltjarri, Wunun Sea Oak Williams, Willy Tjungurrayi, Warlimipirrnga Tjapaltjarri, Walala Tjapaltjarri, William King Jungala, Walangkura Napanangka, Yinarupa Nangala

Non-Indigenous Artists: Adriana Abi-Rizk, Barry Gazzard, Catherine Cassidy, Dzidra Mitchell, Iain Gaynor, Jo Morley, Heather Egan, Katie Wilkie, Kelvin Mui, Peter Day, Thomas Kelly

Founder: Indigenous Art Code of Conduct

As a founding member of the Indigenous Art Code of Conduct, her work is grounded in cultural integrity, ethical practice, and strong artist advocacy.

Mythscapes – International Gallery Partnership Seattle USA 2013-2017

Her curatorial work extends internationally, including Mythscapes at ArtXChange Gallery in Seattle (2013–2017), a major exhibition of 42 works by 30 Indigenous artists that engaged global audiences with Australian Indigenous art and culture. As both an educator and the mother of Indigenous children, her perspective is deeply informed by lived experience, shaping her commitment to respectful and culturally grounded practice.

Art & Culture Educator

Ann’s work creates a lasting impact across individuals and communities. Indigenous students are supported to build pride and confidence in their cultural identity, while non-Indigenous students develop deeper cultural understanding and respect.

Ann designs culturally responsive programs that centre Indigenous knowledge across schools and TAFE, combining creative and collaborative learning approaches to foster engagement, critical thinking, and meaningful cultural exchange. Her initiative, Cultural Knowledge Treasure Hunt, brings students together in cross-year groups to explore Cultural Empowerment: Indigenous students gain pride and confidence in their heritage.  Students will develop an understanding of key cultural and political terms. Non-Indigenous students broaden their cultural awareness that is affecting people today. 

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Students research Indigenous role models, languages, iconography, and cultural concepts in a ‘gamelike’ framework. Her programs also support language revitalisation through student-led Indigenous language banks, that are shared via school installations known as the “Learn the Lingo, program.

The workshops align with the NSW Aboriginal Languages Syllabus and the Aboriginal Education Strategy, her work embeds cultural knowledge, respects protocols, and strengthens connections between language, Country, and identity.