Annual Report Image: Atmosphere Lord Mayor’s message Photography3 Chairman’s introduction 4 Director’s review 6 Museum highlights 8 In numbers 8 Audience 10 Exhibitions 11 Publications 14 Awards 14 Education 14 Public Programs 15 Collection 17 Acquisitions 18 Outgoing loans 19 Incoming loans and Conservation20 Collection Donors 20 Support 23 Sponsors and Partners 24 Donors 25 Financial summary 2015–16 27 Board of Directors and staff 31 2 LORD MAYOR’S MESSAGE Lord Mayor Graham Quirk Brisbane is thriving and each year sees excellence and innovation, the Our flourishing cultural precincts and us, our people and our organisations Museum has again presented a diverse successful creative enterprises make building our reputation as Australia’s and engaging program of exhibitions up the hallmarks of our New World New World City. There’s something and events that have informed, City. I can think of few organisations special about Brisbane. Our educated and entertained more than that fit this brief as well as Museum cosmopolitan city is energetic, one million visitors since re-opening in of Brisbane does and it is certainly a expressive and enthusiastic. We City Hall in 2013. critical part of our Creative Brisbane embrace our place in the Asia-Pacific Creative Economy 2013–22 strategy. region and celebrate all aspects of our As the proud founding partner of cultural diversity and heritage. As the Museum of Brisbane it gives me great My congratulations go to the Board past year’s activities show, Museum of pleasure to see the Museum, now in of Directors, chaired by Sallyanne Brisbane embodies the qualities of our its third year of independence from Atkinson AO, and to the entire team New World City and continues to Brisbane City Council, carving its at Museum of Brisbane. Their passion cement its position as a local favourite niche as a place where locals and to transform the ordinary into the and top tourist destination. visitors alike can explore the city and extraordinary through ambitious and its people through award-winning aspirational exhibitions continues to Museum of Brisbane is the city’s programming and highly engaging drive visitors and locals alike to this storyteller, our premier cultural events. Brisbane City Council is much-loved Brisbane institution. I also ambassador inspiring interest and committed to ensuring our city is thank the many partners, sponsors and passion for all that is Brisbane. As a great place to live, work and play donors who so generously support both an important asset to the local and the 2015–16 year saw a greater Museum of Brisbane and contribute community and a flagship destination percentage of Brisbane locals calling to its ongoing success. for tourists, it’s a place that people love the Museum home, enjoying its pride to visit, where our cultural diversity of place atop City Hall. There really is Graham Quirk is celebrated and where Brisbane’s something for everyone at Museum of Lord Mayor stories are told. Building on its national Brisbane. and international reputation for ANNUAL REPORT 2015–16 3 CHAIRMAN’S INTRODUCTION Sallyanne Atkinson AO, Chairman As Chairman of the Board I am proud diverse audience. The 2015–16 year Modern museums are not just places to present the Museum of Brisbane reported a very successful first quarter of display. During the year we have Annual Report for 2015–16. The with nostalgic exhibitions The view held many talks and panel discussions to Museum is a vital and integral part of from here and William Bustard: debate issues raised by our exhibitions. the city’s cultural fabric. As Brisbane Painting with light attracting higher itself grows, the Museum reflects and than expected visitation. With a Visitor satisfaction continues to celebrates this, and the exhibitions, particular focus on celebrating local exceed expectations with 97% of public programs, and education artists and stories, the Museum surveyed visitors reporting that their programs this year have reached presented exhibitions to inspire pride experience matched or surpassed deeper into the community, adding and respect from residents including their expectations. Our research also to the cultural landscape of Brisbane. Stephen Nothling: The last street in boasts an extremely diverse audience Highgate Hill, Robyn Stacey: Cloud with visitation from all around the The 2015–16 year marks a significant Land and Navigating Norman Creek. world and a noticeable uplift in period for the Museum as it nears the Embracing the city’s cultural diversity Chinese visitors. Programming aimed end of a three year cycle book-ended and position as a key player in the at engaging with Brisbane residents by the popular exhibition The River. Asia-Pacific region the Museum was particularly successful with visitors In addition to the many awards and showcased Japanese-born artist Kenji from Brisbane increasing to 40% of accolades the Museum has garnered Uranishi in Momentary, and presented total visits. As Australia’s New World over this time, the 2015–16 year saw Living in the city: New architecture in City and a growing hub for the us celebrate 200,000 guided tours Brisbane & the Asia-Pacific. The River Asia-Pacific region it is pleasing that up the Clock Tower and we warmly continued to provide enjoyment and international visitors represented 31% welcomed our one millionth visitor Facing World War One: Stories of of visits with a significant growth in since re-opening in City Hall. loyalty, loss and love explored the visits from Asia. human impact of war through intimate Once again the Museum presented and untold stories marking the 100th Museum of Brisbane could not operate a rich range of exhibitions aimed at anniversary of the city’s first Anzac without the support of its many capturing and engaging an equally Day Parade. partners and I would like to extend 4 Visitors engage with architectural models in Living in the city. Image: Photo Co. particular thanks to Lord Mayor Tyquin and Company Secretary Graham Quirk, Councillors Krista David Askern for their support. As an Adams and Matthew Bourke as Chairs industry leader, Museum of Brisbane of Council’s Lifestyle and Community continues to demonstrate world-class Services Committee and Brisbane City museum practices and leads the way Council for its continued support of in providing inclusive and participatory and dedication to the Museum as activities that empower residents and founding partner. visitors to stay connected through the shared experience of exploring The Museum continues to attract Brisbane’s stories. As the Museum strong and committed supporters continues to break new ground as as evidenced by a 34% increase a worldwide innovator, the vision, in sponsorship. This year saw our dedication and expertise of Director inaugural Museum Partners Gadens Peter Denham and the Museum staff and Audi Centre Brisbane return is to be commended. and new partnerships brokered with Hitachi, Australian Bureau of Statistics It is a great pleasure and privilege and Liquid Interactive. Special thanks to be Chairman of this world-class also goes Hilton Hotel Brisbane, Wine Museum and as we prepare to open & Dine’m, Excel Hire, Folio Books, 612 100% Brisbane, I look forward with ABC Brisbane, goa, Avant Card and excitement to what will undoubtedly The Weekend Edition who generously be another momentous year. continue their support. Sallyanne Atkinson AO I would like to thank my fellow Board Chairman of Directors: Andrew Harper, Jeff Humphreys, Alison Kubler, Chris ANNUAL REPORT 2015–16 5 DIRECTOR’S REVIEW Peter Denham, Director The 2015–16 year saw the Museum Local stories were foregrounded with featured architectural models of nine consolidate its role as a Museum for Navigating Norman Creek exploring new projects in Brisbane currently and of the city. Our vibrant program Queensland’s most urbanised under construction alongside one enjoys international recognition, catchment through a series of short project from each of Brisbane’s nine our public programs and education films andThe last street in Highgate Sister Cities in the Asia-Pacific. offerings extend the reach of our Hill shared a corner of inner-suburban exhibitions and most importantly, we Brisbane through the eyes of the Facing World War One: Stories of continue to build our reputation as an quirky and playful Stephen Nothling loyalty, loss and love explored the active participant in the life of the city. who presented an affectionate and human impact of war, sharing intimate imaginative interpretation of life and untold stories in a filmic journey After an exceptional year of growth behind the façade of 38 homes in alongside studio portraits and a in 2014–15 the Museum refocussed Highgate Hill. Robyn Stacey: Cloud showcase of original objects such as attention on local engagement and in Land explored contemporary life in letters, postcards and journals. This strengthening linkages to the Asia- Brisbane, its people, places and deeply moving exhibition marked the Pacific. In parallel with the changing stories, through the lens of the camera 100th anniversary of the Brisbane’s landscape of the city, Museum of obscura. Specially commissioned by first Anzac Day Parade. Brisbane continues to grow and evolve the Museum, the collaboration with and our 2015–16 program resonated Stacey continues a Museum objective Our public programs continue to strongly with our diverse Brisbane to ask artists to look anew at the city. provide interactive opportunities both community and interstate and within and beyond the Museum walls. international visitors. Kenji Uranishi: Momentary featured Robust panel discussions brought to more than 50 new works by Kenji life topics including “Photography vs The River: A history of Brisbane Uranishi, a Japanese-born ceramic film: Who tells a better story” and continued to delight audiences with artist who relocated to Brisbane more “Public Art: Then and Now”. Activities its unique introduction to the city’s than a decade ago.