Catherine Woolley

Catherine Woolley is a Sydney-based curator and programs producer living and working on Bidjigal and Gadigal Land. Catherine has a decade of experience working across curatorial projects, community engagement programs, and education initiatives in the arts and culture sector. She is currently the Curatorial & Public Engagement Officer at UNSW Galleries where she works with leading Australian and international practitioners, curators, writers, and cultural thinkers to develop exhibitions and public programs.

Prior to this, Catherine has held positions as Curatorial Assistant, UNSW Galleries; A&D ANNUAL Graduate Exhibition Coordinator, UNSW Art & Design; and has contributed research to the 2019 CoUNTess Report and published writing in 'Framework: Critical Arts Journal'. At UNSW Galleries, Catherine has supported the development of more than 50 exhibition projects and has curated ‘Matters of Time: Contemporary Metal Practices’ (2025); ‘Lisa Sammut: How the earth will approach you’ (2024); and ‘Pliable Planes: Expanded Textiles & Fibre Practices’ (touring 2022–24, with Karen Hall). Catherine has also developed significant community engagement programs including ‘Barangga: First Nations Design’ (2022–24, with Nicole Monks); ‘Eulogy for the Dyke Bar’ (2023, with Macon Reed, Siân McIntyre, and Sarah Hibbs); and ‘Mixed Company’ (2023, with José Da Silva and Nick Henderson).

Catherine completed her Bachelor of Art Theory (Honours) at UNSW Art & Design in 2017, graduating with First Class Honours and the award of University Medal.