VID QUE IUSTIBUS HENIMILIGNIM ANNUAL REPORT ART GALLERY OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA ART GALLERY OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA ANNUAL REPORT 2015–16 1 2015–16 HIGHLIGHTS ACCOUNTABLE OFFICER DECLARATION The Hon Jack Snelling MP, Minister for the Arts • More than 780,000 visitors came through Sir, I have the honour to present the seventy – second Annual Report of the Art Gallery the doors of the Art Gallery of South Australia of South Australia for the Gallery’s 136th year, ended 30 June 2016. works were added to the collection Tracey Whiting, Chair • 292 Art Gallery Board, 2015–16 • Our family program START facilitated workshops, art making ART GALLERY OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA North Terrace activities and tours for nearly families & children ADELAIDE SA 5000 10,000 +61 8 8207 7075 artgallery.sa.gov.au • Over 40,000 students & teachers participated in Learning at the Gallery programs ISSN 0728–7925 ABN 52 290 987 817 • AGSA Facebook likes increased by 26% • The AGSA website received over 170,000 image detail (page 4): unique users teamLab, Japan, formed 2001, Ever Blossoming Life II – A whole year per hour, Gold, 2016, Tokyo, four channel, digital artwork, endless, edition 4/6; Gift of the Neilson Foundation through the Art Gallery of South Australia Foundation 2015, Art Gallery of South Australia, Adelaide. Image courtesy of the artists and Martin Browne Contemporary, Sydney CONTENTS PRINCIPAL OBJECTIVES 9 OVERVIEW 2015–16 11–17 ADMINISTRATION 19–28 ARTISTIC PROGRAMS 29–32 PRIVATE GIVING 33–34 Appendices A Charter and Goals of the Art Gallery of South Australia 35 B1 Art Gallery Board of South Australia 37 B2 Art Gallery of South Australia Foundation Council, Audit Committee, Board Funds Management Committee 37 B3 Art Gallery Organisational Chart 39 B4 Art Gallery Volunteers 42 C Art Gallery Staff External Representation 44 D Acquisitions 46 E Donors and Partnerships 61–65 F Exhibitions and Public Programs 66–78 G Teaching & Learning at the Gallery and School Support Services 79–83 H Gallery Guide Tour Services 84–86 I Gallery Publications 87 J Annual Attendances 88 K Information Statement 90–91 L Financial Statements 92–127 2015–16 has been an incredible year of growth, and I look forward to taking the Gallery further in the years to come. CHAIR’S REPORT DIRECTOR’S REPORT Looking back on the 2015–16 year, it is gratifying to pause and reflect on the incredible achievements of Our role as storytellers is to create experiences for our audiences that are exciting, meaningful and the Art Gallery of South Australia. Breaking attendance records, diversifying its audience and bringing memorable, while still respecting the tradition and history of the Gallery. From the cutting edge of global art to life, the Gallery has continued to build its reputation as one of the most relevant and vibrant contemporary art to historic European, Asian and Australian art, our 2015–16 program engaged with contributors to the State. the public like never before. As a result we experienced an upward trend in our visitor numbers – an Holding four major temporary exhibitions as well as thirty-six collection displays over the past incredible achievement in the ever-evolving business of museums. year, the Gallery has become a space that not only educates and inspires, but creates stimulating Our highlights included the 2016 Adelaide Biennial of Australian Art, which enchanted audiences experiences through its innovative public programming and curatorial approach. Attracting people from across five locations in an unprecedented expansion of the exhibition. The city-wide event transformed all walks of life, the Gallery’s strategic focus has been to expand its teenage and family offerings. Engaging Adelaide, doubling the 2014 event attendances. Well received by audiences in South Australia and with this important segment has been incredibly successful, with more than 50,000 patrons attending Western Australia, the ambitious Treasure Ships: Art of the Age of Spices presented spectacular art The Studio, First Fridays, Neo and START collectively, with many visiting for the first time. produced for global markets in the era of the spice trade, dating from the fifteenth to early nineteenth Almost 780,000 visitors visited the Art Gallery in 2015–16, increasing attendances by 31% from centuries. the previous year and endorsing South Australia’s reputation as a key cultural destination. TARNANTHI: Festival of Contemporary Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Art was the largest Through its exhibition program the Gallery had a real presence across the state, from the ever- Aboriginal visual art event ever staged in South Australia, bringing Aboriginal art and culture to the expanding Adelaide Biennial to the record-breaking TARNANTHI. forefront. A critical success, TARNANTHI showcased over a thousand artists across the Gallery, and Private giving, philanthropy and sponsorship continue to play a pivotal role in the Gallery’s received the highest number of visitors for a free exhibition in the Gallery’s history. self-sustainability plan. A huge thank you to the Contemporary Collectors chaired by Jane Yuile, the The Board and Executive Team continue to work towards the long term goals of the 2015–2020 Foundation chaired by Andrew Gwinnett, to Gallery Members, partners and donors. Through gift-giving Strategic Plan, most notably engaging with stakeholders to develop a business case for a second site and fundraising, as well as corporate philanthropy, the Gallery has received funding that has supported proposal, giving the Gallery greater capacity to showcase our collection of works currently in storage. the acquisition of new work; enabled accessibility with free exhibitions, events and programs; assisted Making art accessible is a task made possible through the generosity of our supporters, with the general care of the collection and enabled us to deliver original exhibitions and publications. benefactors, volunteers and friends. I would like to extend a warm thank you to our Board, led by On behalf of the Board, I would like to congratulate the dynamic leadership of Director Nick Chair Tracey Whiting, as well as Gallery staff for their infinite ingenuity and enthusiasm in presenting Mitzevich, Deputy Director Mark Horton and Assistant Director, Artistic Programs Lisa Slade, as well as outstanding programs and exhibitions. the entire staff who have played an essential role in delivering an outstanding year. 2015–16 has been an incredible year of growth, and I look forward to taking the Gallery further in the years to come. Tracey Whiting CHAIR OF THE ART GALLERY OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA BOARD Nick Mitzevich DIRECTOR 6 ANNUAL REPORT 2015–16 ART GALLERY OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA ART GALLERY OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA ANNUAL REPORT 2015–16 7 OBJECTIVES PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL OBJECTIVES OBJECTIVES The Art Gallery of South Australia’s objectives and functions are effectively prescribed by the Art Gallery Act 1939 and can be summarised as the preservation, research and communication associated with heritage and contemporary works of art of aesthetic excellence and historical or regional significance. MISSION To serve the South Australian and wider communities by providing access to original works of art of the highest quality. Through the permanent collection, temporary exhibitions, publications, education and public programs, the Gallery seeks to become part of the daily life of Australians – to champion art, artists and ideas. VISION To be a leading art museum in Australia and the Asia Pacific Region that: • is highly respected for the quality and display of its collection, exhibitions, programs, interpretation and research; • engages South Australians from all walks of life in the visual arts; • enlivens and enriches the cultural dimension of the city and the state; and • is a major attraction for interstate and international visitors to South Australia. GOVERNMENT OBJECTIVES In addition, the Art Gallery plays a significant role in delivering specific elements of the South Australian Government’s seven strategic priorities: CREATING A VIBRANT CITY Creating an eclectic and exciting artistic program which attracts local and interstate visitors to the North Terrace precinct, greatly increasing the numbers of people in the city while bringing vibrancy to the city streets. This in turn will enhance the city’s atmospheric appeal and build upon the South Australian brand. EVERY CHANCE FOR EVERY CHILD Learning and children’s programs are at the core of the Art Gallery’s artistic program, as it is recognised that building a lifelong love of the visual arts provides a framework for children to think creatively. image left: Launch of TARNANTHI | Festival of Contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art, October 2015. photo: Ben Searcy 8 ANNUAL REPORT 2015–16 ART GALLERY OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA ART GALLERY OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA ANNUAL REPORT 2015–16 9 2015 – 2016 OVERVIEW OVERVIEW 2015–2016 This year saw the implementation of the Art Gallery of South Australia Strategic Plan 2015-20. Key projects for the Over the next five years the Gallery plans to: past twelve months have • Advocate for support of the Gallery’s much included: needed expansion and development. The • The commencement of a new digital strategy, Gallery’s long history of benefaction and including scoping the Gallery’s new digital collection development has carved out a platform with a project delivery horizon of 2018. niche in the national landscape, however the challenge ahead is to secure the future care • Advancement and elevation of the Gallery’s of and presentation opportunities for the hallmark project, the Adelaide Biennial of collection. For many decades growing the Australian Art by expanding the presence of the collection has been the prevailing focus and the Biennial across the city. Gallery’s resources have been directed towards this end. Now the time has come to activate • Presentation of and focus on Aboriginal and the collection in the fullest sense and this can Torres Strait Islander art across all facets of only be achieved by caring adequately for the the Gallery’s program, including the inaugural collection – ensuring its access and preservation.