Art & Human Connectivity - Kim Sajet (TC '83)

Born in Nigeria, raised in Australia and a citizen of the Netherlands, you are a true global citizen. How did your time at Toorak influence your pathway?

My career direction was decided at Toorak College when Mr. Brown told me I was about to fail chemistry. After successfully negotiating a passing grade on the promise that I would never again set foot in a chemistry lab, I studied art with Mrs. Taylor and loved it. I have fond memories of sitting in the dark looking at slides of famous works of art from around the World and wanting to see them in person.

What inspired you to take the path that led you to where you are today?

I grew up in an immigrant household where my parents, who had travelled widely and spoke several languages, discussed world affairs, and encouraged me to share my opinions. They also encouraged my creativity, which found an outlet in cooking and making art in a small ‘studio’ I set up in the back shed. I drew, painted, pressed flowers, and brought elaborate cakes into school for all my friends’ birthdays. To their credit, my parents never complained when I later turned our garage into a stained-glass studio! Toorak College also encouraged that creativity. I was on the debate team and in the drama club, and studied literature, history, and art.

With your doctorate in liberal studies, masters in art history and business administration, a bachelor’s in art history, and a graduate diploma in museum studies, do you attribute your success to your education?

Truthfully, I never saw myself as a scholar until about 10 years ago when I finally earned my doctorate. When I was at Toorak College I was a good student but, following my father’s footsteps, I tended to value real-life experience over studying. However, as I rose in the museum ranks, I began to realise that the genuinely great directors were those who could challenge curatorial ideas and assumptions based on a broad understanding of the humanities. I once watched my former mentor, the great Anne d’Harnoncourt, completely change the approach to an exhibition by asking a series of provocative questions that left the curator feeling they still had some work to do yet also feeling supported in their approach. I have always wanted to be a ‘curator’s director’ like Anne, who could push the envelope on content and earn the respect and admiration of her staff.

How do you stay relevant as a portrait gallery in a digital world while still embodying your philosophy of avoiding being outdated?

I believe that the more we rely on technology, the more we crave real-world experiences. While people certainly take selfies and use the audio guides in our galleries, they often put their phones away and enjoy having a unique experience either alone or with friends. I’ve written about the idea that people want to have transformational experiences with other people when they go to a museum. That means that we must provide spaces where everyone feels included, challenged, and inspired when they leave.

How do you think philanthropic donations can impact and help our school, and what can we teach our audience about the significance of philanthropy?

American cultural organisations are founded on the philosophy that when you become successful, you give back to the community who helped you along the way. As a result, non-profit leaders in the U.S. spend a great deal of their time reminding donors how to create social value. I have made friends with people who share a vision for the future and want to give their work, wealth, and wisdom to help the museum succeed. I think of it as ‘friend raising’, and love Muhammad Ali’s quote when he said, “Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth.”

What do you see as your purpose in the world?

To advance the idea that history is now and what you do matters. Michelle Obama summed it up when she said, “The arts and humanities define who we are as a people. That is their power – to remind us of what we each have to offer, and what we all have in common. To help us understand our history and imagine our future. To give us hope in the moments of struggle and to bring us together when nothing else will.”