Image: Teelah George, ‘Theory of pearl’ exhibition at Neon Parc.

When Sarah Keane first visited Melbourne’s galleries as a teenager growing up in Wagga Wagga, she knew exactly where she wanted to be.

“My mum nurtured my love of art and galleries and I always knew I wanted to move to Melbourne and work in the art world,” says Sarah, who is currently completing the Bachelor of Fine Art (Art History and Curating) (BAHC) at Monash University.

A strong student with a passion for writing and a deep interest in contemporary art, Sarah discovered the Monash BAHC degree while still in high school.

“The course stood out because it combined art history with curatorial practice – exactly what I was looking for.”

Image: Sarah Keane and Madé Spencer-Castle

Discovering her curatorial voice

Although her first year was disrupted by the pandemic – prompting a temporary return to Wagga Wagga, where she worked as a marketing manager at a rural retail co-op – Sarah remained focused on her studies.

“It was interesting work, but I wasn’t passionate about agricultural products,” she laughs. “Returning to Monash and immersing myself in the arts felt like coming home.”

A standout subject – ‘Art Writing and Art Criticism’ – cemented her ambitions. “This unit opened my eyes to the range of careers in the art world,” she says. “My tutors also brought in young female art writers to share their career journeys—it was incredibly inspiring.”

Mentors who made a lasting impact

For Sarah, the guidance and inspiration from her Monash mentors has been central to her experience.

“It was a privilege to learn from Professor Rex Butler—he’s a knowledgeable and prominent art historian, and his teaching style is so descriptive and engaging,” she says.

She praises PhD candidate Amy Stuart’s dual practice as a writer and artist for broadening her perspective, and credits Anna Parlane’s curating subject for giving her hands-on insight into a potential curatorial career.

A Career-Defining Internship at Neon Parc

The highlight of Sarah’s Monash Art, Design and Architecture (MADA) experience has been her internship at leading commercial gallery Neon Parc, known for its strong curatorial program and close collaboration with artists on ambitious projects for major exhibitions, biennials, and commissions.

“I applied for the six-credit internship placement and was matched with my first choice, Neon Parc,” she explains. “It was a dream opportunity – 100 hours over three months, working closely with Associate Director Madé Spencer-Castle and Director Geoff Newton. I learned so much from both of them.”

“We have taken on many fantastic interns from MADA, but Sarah was hands down the best intern. Her eagerness to learn new skills, reliability and work ethic set her apart” says Madé.

At Neon Parc, Sarah experienced every facet of gallery life, from administration and social media to exhibition scheduling and hospitality for opening events.

“It’s a small team, so I was hands-on in everything,” she says. “I especially loved rewriting artist bios and working on events. There’s a real buzz to gallery openings.”

“Sarah had already mastered the administrative side, but during her time at Neon Parc, her confidence and ability to engage with clients and artists developed significantly,” says Madé.

One of the most memorable moments came in August 2024 during the Dale Frank exhibition: ‘Those Excited Colon Polyps’. “He’s one of my favourite artists, so seeing his works up close was surreal. I also supported the Teelah George exhibition: Theory of Pearl– I’d written about her at uni and it was exciting to meet her in person.”

Image: Dale Frank, Those Excited Colon Polyps exhibition at Neon Prac

Learning on the job – and saying yes

Sarah’s dedication and professionalism didn’t go unnoticed. After completing her placement, Neon Parc offered her a casual role.

“We kept Sarah on as a casual because she is driven, sharp as a tack and incredibly diligent” says Madé.

“Now I work one day a week, sometimes more for events. I even looked after the gallery while the directors were overseas. It’s such a privilege.”

From industry-standard software like Art Logic and Artsy, to liaising with clients and artists, Sarah says the practical skills she’s gained have been transformative.

“I never said no to anything during the internship. That attitude really paid off.”

She credits her supervisor, Madé Spencer-Castle, with one of the most important lessons she’s learned so far: “Keep showing up, be consistent, and eventually you’ll be recognised – I’ve found that to be so true.”

Building a Future in the Commercial Gallery World

Sarah also gained experience back home, working at the Wagga Wagga City Gallery during university breaks. But it’s the fast-paced, artist-led nature of commercial galleries that excites her most.

“I love being involved in the full process – working directly with artists, planning shows, writing, admin, events. Being a gallery manager would be my dream job.”

With mentors like Madé Spencer-Castle and former Neon Parc gallery manager Emma Nixon – now curator at TarraWarra Museum of Art – Sarah feels well-supported as she steps into the industry.

“The connections I’ve made through this internship have been phenomenal” says Sarah.

Advice for aspiring curators

“The Monash degree offers the best of both worlds – theory and practice – it’s also so convenient having Monash University Museum of Art (MUMA) right there on campus – they have such a prestigious collection.”

Sarah also encourages students to start on their careers by immersing themselves in the art world. “Make the most of it. Go to every show. Volunteer. Write about everything.”

Sarah sums up her journey from Wagga Wagga to one of Melbourne’s leading commercial galleries: “Working at Neon Parc felt like my dreams were coming into fruition. This is exactly where I want to be.”