Report of the Queensland Art Gallery Board of Trustees
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
REPORT OF THE QUEENSLAND ART GALLERY BOARD OF TRUSTEES 16 September 2009 The Honourable Anna Bligh, MP Premier of Queensland and Minister for the Arts PO Box 15185 City East Qld 4002 Dear Premier I am pleased to present the Annual Report 2008–09 for the Queensland Art Gallery. I certify that this Annual Report complies with: • the prescribed requirements of the Financial Accountability and Audit Act 1977 and the Financial Management Standard 1997, and • the detailed requirements set out in the Annual Reporting Guidelines for Queensland Government Agencies. A checklist outlining the annual reporting requirements can be accessed at www.qag.qld.gov.au. Yours sincerely Professor John Hay, AC Chair, Board of Trustees GALLERY PROFILE QUEENSLAND ART GALLERY ANNUAL REPORT 2008–09 3 CONTENTS COVER 5 GALLERY PROFILE Works from Ah Xian’s ‘Metaphysica’ series 2007 in ‘The China Project’ at GoMA. With the generosity of Tim Fairfax, AM, a group of six of 6 HIGHLIGHTS AND ACHIEVEMENTS the sculptures was acquired for the Collection. The ‘Metaphysica’ series was loaned by the artist for 9 CHAIR’S OVERVIEW ‘The China Project’. Ah Xian ‘Metaphysica’ series (detail) 2007 13 DIRECTOR’S OVERVIEW Bronze and brass 36 sculptures: dimensions variable 16 2008–09 — CONNECTING ART AND PEOPLE OPPOSITE Installation view of 17 TWO SITES, ONE VISION acquisitions in GoMA. Foreground: Tobias Putrih 21 CULTURAL TOURISM Connection 2004 Cardboard boxes 25 COLLECTION DEVELOPMENT Purchased 2008 with funds from Tim Fairfax, AM, through the 33 ACCESSIBILITY AND EDUCATION Queensland Art Gallery Foundation Background: Michael Parekowhai 39 ENGAGEMENT WITH THE ASIA PACIFIC REGION The Horn of Africa 2006 Automotive paint, wood, fibreglass, steel, brass 42 APPENDIXES Purchased 2008 with funds from the Queensland Government’s Gallery of Modern Art Acquisitions 42 ORGANISATIONAL PURPOSE AND RESPONSIBILITIES Fund in recognition of the contribution to the Gallery by Wayne Goss 43 PROGRAM STRUCTURE 2008–09 (Chair of Trustees 1999–2008) 44 STRATEGIC DIRECTION 45 CONTRIBUTING TO GOVERNMENT OBJECTIVES 45 PERFORMANCE STATEMENT 2008–09 46 COLLECTION ACQUISITIONS 59 EXHIBITIONS SCHEDULE AND SPONSORS 61 exhibitions AND FILM PROGRAMS PRESENTED AT THE AUSTRALIAN CINÉMATHÈQUE 62 PUBLICATIONS 66 BOARD OF TRUSTEES, EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT TEAM AND STAFF PROFILE 67 STATISTICAL SUMMARY 68 OVERSEAS TRAVEL 70 CORPORATE GOVERNANCE 71 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 4 QUEENSLAND ART GALLERY ANNUAL REPORT 2008–09 GALLERY PROFILE GALLERY PROFILE QUEENSLAND ART GALLERY ANNUAL REPORT 2008–09 5 VISION Increase quality of life for all Queenslanders through enhanced access, understanding and enjoyment of the visual arts and develop Queensland’s reputation as a culturally dynamic state. GALLERY PROFILE MISSION To be the focus for the visual arts in Queensland and a dynamic and accessible art museum of international standing. OPPOSITE Originally established in 1895, the Queensland Art Gallery The Australian Cinémathèque is integral to the Gallery’s Visitors outside GoMA and the River Cafe during the opened in its present South Bank premises in June 1982. programming. Launched in 2005, the Cinémathèque opening of the exhibition In late 2006, the Gallery became a two-site institution, with is the only one of its kind in an Australian art museum. ‘Contemporary Australia: Optimism’, November 2008 the opening of the Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA). Situated The Cinémathèque collects, conserves, presents and Photograph: Joanne Bell at Kurilpa Point only 150 metres from the Queensland Art interprets film and screen culture. Gallery building, the Gallery of Modern Art focuses on the art of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. This year, a major Travelling exhibitions, educational services and refurbishment of selected gallery spaces was completed professional development opportunities are provided to at the Queensland Art Gallery. Funded by the Queensland regional and remote Queensland through the Gallery’s Government, the refurbishment represents the first Regional Services program. The Queensland Art Gallery significant upgrade since the building opened 27 years ago. is the only state gallery to provide an ongoing and The Gallery’s driving philosophy is to connect art and comprehensive program of Collection-based travelling people. Since 1982, more than 13 million people have exhibitions and public programs to regional areas as part visited, and this year attendances for the Queensland Art of its core business. Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art totalled 1 153 326. STRATEGIC PLAN 2008–13 With the opportunities presented by the expanded and The Gallery’s Strategic Plan 2008–13 is based on the upgraded facilities of a two-site institution, the Gallery’s following five goals. Collection, exhibitions, audiences and programs have grown in scale, complexity and diversity. The Gallery TWO SITES, ONE VISION presents a dynamic program of exhibitions and events, To consolidate the Gallery’s profile as a two-site institution complemented by interpretive public programs and following the opening of GoMA in December 2006, while publishing. Working closely with key corporate and tourism developing and promoting the strengths of each building’s sector partners, the Gallery continues to build a profile as a curatorial and programming focus to audiences. significant cultural tourism destination in the region. CULTURAL TOURISM The Gallery’s Collection, including the internationally recognised contemporary Asian and Pacific collection, To secure significant international exhibitions exclusive now includes 13 743 works, with 579 works acquired in to Queensland and increase the profile of the Gallery 2008–09. Works from the Collection, including major new as a cultural tourism destination for local, intrastate, acquisitions, feature strongly in the exhibitions program. interstate and international visitors. The Gallery’s engagement with the Asia Pacific region COLLECTION DEVELOPMENT continues with the ongoing activities of the Australian To develop, manage and conserve the Collection to Centre of Asia Pacific Art (ACAPA), and the Asia Pacific the highest art museum standards for the benefit and Triennial series of exhibitions. The Gallery also profiles enjoyment of present and future users. the artistic practice and cultural life of Indigenous Australia through its Collection, exhibitions and programs. AccESSIBILITY AND EDUCATION To provide access to exhibitions, educational services The Queensland Art Gallery Foundation provides vital and interpretive programs of excellence to diverse support to the Gallery, supporting the development of the audiences, with particular attention to children and Collection and the presentation of exhibition programs. This young people, Indigenous Australians and regional year was particularly significant for the Foundation, with the Queenslanders. celebration during 2009 of its 30th anniversary. ENGAGEMENT WITH THE ASIA PACIFIC REGION The Children’s Art Centre develops and presents To strengthen the Gallery’s ties with the Asia Pacific programs for children, young people and families, and region through initiatives such as the Asia Pacific the Gallery is recognised as an international leader in Triennial of Contemporary Art and the Australian Centre presenting innovative museum-based learning programs of Asia Pacific Art, as well as the development of the for children. The Gallery also presents a comprehensive Gallery’s renowned contemporary Asian and Pacific educational program, serving schools, universities and collections. the broader education sector. 6 QUEENSLAND ART GALLERY ANNUAL REPORT 2008–09 HIGHLIGHTS AND ACHIEVEMENTS HIGHLIGHTS AND ACHIEVEMENTS The Queensland Art Gallery (QAG) and Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA) attracted 1 153 326 visitors during the year. Audience surveys reflected 94 per cent satisfaction with this year’s exhibitions. EXHIBITIONS Collections ABOVE LEFT Professor John Hay, AC, ‘Picasso & his collection’ ended its exclusive-to-Brisbane The programming opportunities provided by two sites Chair of the Queensland Art Gallery Board of Trustees, and artist season in September 2008. With a total attendance supported a substantial program of exhibitions based William Yang at the opening of 206 580, critical acclaim and strong support from on the Gallery’s own Collection, including many new of ‘The China Project’, visitors to the city, the exhibition continued to define the acquisitions. March 2009 Gallery’s strength as a cultural tourism destination. Background: Wang Qingsong In partnership with The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New The Gallery’s internationally significant collection of China Red 2008–09 York, and Art Exhibitions Australia, the Gallery presented contemporary Chinese art was recognised and celebrated Ink and synthetic polymer paint on paper a second exclusive international exhibition this year in ‘The China Project’ and documented with a 312-page Site-specific work commissioned — ‘American Impressionism and Realism: A Landmark exhibition catalogue. for ‘The China Project’ Collection: The artist Exhibition from the Met’ (30 May – 20 September 2009). In its first month, the exhibition attracted daily average Important international contemporary acquisitions, ABOVE CENTRE attendances of 1000 and audience satisfaction of 95 including works by Candice Breitz, William Eggleston, Queensland Art Gallery Deputy Tobias Putrih, Beat Streuli and Yvonne Todd, were Director, Curatorial and Collection per cent. Development, Lynne Seear speaks acquired with the exceptional support of