Ted Snell AM, CitWA, was born in 1949 in Geraldton, Western Australia. He is currently Winthrop professor and director of the Cultural Precinct at The University of Western Australia.

Over the past two decades he has contributed to the national arts agenda through his role as chair of the Visual Arts Board of the Australia Council, chair of the Australian Council of University Art and Design Schools, chair of Artbank and chair of the Asialink Visual Arts Advisory Committee.

He has published several books and has curated numerous exhibitions, many of which document the visual culture of Western Australia.