ANNUAL REPORT 2005–06 The National Gallery of Australia is a Commonwealth authority established under the National Gallery Act 1975. The vision of the National Gallery of Australia is the cultural enrichment of all Australians through access to their national art gallery, the quality of the national collection, the exceptional displays, exhibitions and programs, and the professionalism of Gallery staff. Led by a Chairman appointed by the Governor- General, the governing body, the Council of the National Gallery of Australia, has expertise in arts administration, corporate governance, administration and financial and business management. In 2005–06 the National Gallery received an appropriation from the Australian Government totalling $45.706 million, raised $10.725 million, and employed 238 full-time equivalent staff. © National Gallery of Australia 2006 ISSN 1323 5192 All rights reserved. No part of this publication can be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. Produced by the Publications Department of the National Gallery of Australia Edited by Peter Judge Designed by David James Alcorn Printed by Pirion Pty Limited National Gallery of Australia GPO Box 1150 Canberra ACT 2601 nga.gov.au/Reports cover: Unknown maker Mask Torres Strait Islander people wood, shell, resin, human, hair, fibre string, white pigment National Gallery of Australia, Canberra back cover: The bronze weaver Indonesia 6th century bronze National Gallery of Australia, Canberra 2 NatIonal GallerY OF AUSTRalIA Annual Report 2005–06 September 2006 Senator the Hon. Rod Kemp Minister for the Arts and Sport Parliament House CANBERRA ACT 2600 Dear Minister I have pleasure in submitting to you, for presentation to each House of Parliament, the National Gallery of Australia’s Annual Report covering the period 1 July 2005 to 30 June 2006. The report is submitted to you in accordance with the Commonwealth Authorities and Companies Act 1997 and the National Gallery Act 1975. The Performance Report has been prepared consistent with the Commonwealth Authorities and Companies (Report of Operations) Orders 2005. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Finance Minister’s Orders made under the Commonwealth Authorities and Companies Act 1997. Yours sincerely Rupert Myer AM Chairman of Council NatIonal GallerY OF AUSTRalIA Annual Report 2005–06 3 CONTENTS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL 3 CHAIRMAN’S FOREWORD 7 DIRECTOR’S REPORT 9 CORPORATE OVERVIEW 15 PERFORMANCE REPORT 2005–06 21 Outcome and OutputS REPORT AGAINST STRATEGIC PLAN 2004–07 CollectIon Development Goal 1 Acquire premium works of art 28 Goal 2 Strengthen and refine the national collection 29 CollectIon ManaGement Goal 3 Maintain and protect the national collection 45 AcceSS to and PromotIon OF WorKS OF Art Goal 4 Deliver outstanding displays and exhibitions 49 Goal 5 Provide and promote access to the national collection 55 People and RESource ManaGement Goal 6 Sustain an encouraging and productive environment for all staff 65 Goal 7 Refurbish and enhance the National Gallery’s building and precinct 73 Goal 8 Strengthen the National Gallery’s resource base 77 4 NatIonal GallerY OF AUSTRalIA Annual Report 2005–06 NATIONAL GALLERY OF AUSTRALIA FINANCIAL REPORT 2005–06 81 APPENDICES 1. Council of the National Gallery of Australia 119 2. Management Structure at 30 June 2006 122 3. Staff of the National Gallery of Australia at 30 June 2006 123 4. Acquisitions 2005–06 125 5. Total Acquisitions including Purchases and Gifts 2000–01/2005–06 217 6. Exhibitions held at the National Gallery of Australia 2005–06 218 7. Attendance 2000–06 219 8. Travelling Exhibitions 2005–06 220 9. Outward Loans to Exhibitions – Australia and International 222 10. Inward Loans 227 11. Outward Loans including Travelling Exhibitions 2000–01/2005–06 230 12. National Gallery of Australia Sponsors 2005–06 231 13. National Gallery of Australia Volunteers at 30 June 2006 232 14. Publications of the National Gallery of Australia 2005–06 234 15. Consultants 2005–06 235 16. Performance Measures and Outcomes against 2005–06 Business Plan 236 17. Compliance Index and Contact Officers 238 INDEX 239 NatIonal GallerY OF AUSTRalIA Annual Report 2005–06 5 National Gallery of Australia Council: (l–r) Mr John Calvert-Jones AM, Mrs Ashley Dawson-Damer, Mr Michael Chaney AO, Mr Rupert Myer AM, Mrs Roslynne Bracher, Mr Ron Radford AM, Ms Lee Liberman, Mr Charles Curran AC, Ms Elizabeth Nosworthy AO, Mrs Roslyn Packer, Mr Robert Champion de Crespigny AC. 6 NatIonal GallerY OF AUSTRalIA Annual Report 2005–06 CHAIRMAN’S FOREWORD In this my first report as Chairman of the Important works of art were acquired National Gallery of Australia Council, I through the year, many with the assistance of would like to acknowledge the outstanding generous benefactors. I would like to thank contribution made by my predecessor Mr all those who assisted the Gallery to expand Harold Mitchell AO whose seven years on the and further develop the national collection. Council, the last five as Chairman, concluded In particular, I would like to acknowledge the last December. Mr Mitchell’s leadership, success of the National Gallery of Australia personal generosity and enthusiastic Foundation, and especially Mr Tony Berg AM commitment significantly contributed to the who retired as Chairman of the Foundation Gallery’s achievements over that time for in April 2006 after leading the Foundation for which we thank him sincerely. a seven-year period of extraordinary success. I am delighted that Mr Charles Curran AC has been appointed to chair the Foundation’s I should also like to acknowledge the Board. The success of the Foundation will be contributions made by members of the integral to the success of the Gallery. Council to the ongoing success of the Gallery, and to thank them for the support I The design for the Gallery’s redevelopment, have received in my new role as Chairman. with a new entrance, increased collection display and other facilities, was refined by During another eventful year, the Council our project architects during the year. We endorsed Director Ron Radford’s exciting remain optimistic about securing support for Vision for the National Gallery of Australia. the provision of the exciting additions to the This strategy document will guide the Gallery building. Gallery in coming years in the key areas of refocusing the collection, and hence The Gallery’s exhibition, educational and the Gallery’s acquisition policy, and in its other public programs were presented aspirations for an improved Gallery building. with the generous assistance of sponsors and I would like to acknowledge their Access to the Gallery’s collection of support which is vital to the delivery of more than 140,000 works of art remains our high quality exhibitions programs. a priority and was achieved in this year I am particularly delighted about the through permanent collection display in the establishment of the National Gallery of Gallery in Canberra, through our travelling Australia Council Exhibitions Fund and thank exhibitions and loan programs which benefit my Council colleagues for their support of audiences around Australia and around the this and other initiatives this year. world, and through traditional publications and online access facilities. I would also like to thank warmly our volunteers for their wonderful service as researchers, guides and in many other NatIonal GallerY OF AUSTRalIA Annual Report 2005–06 7 capabilities that both support the Gallery’s operations and enhance visitor experiences. The role that the guides play in interpreting our collections and exhibitions for our visitors is right at the heart of the Gallery’s mission. The Council acknowledges with appreciation the support of the Australian Government and in particular the support provided by the Minister for the Arts and Sport, the Hon. Rod Kemp and the Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, the Hon. Helen Coonan. The Australian Government’s Art Indemnity Australia program is vital to the success of the Gallery’s major exhibition program and in this year this program supported the Gallery’s Constable: Impressions of land, sea and sky exhibition and the Treasures from Australia’s Great Libraries exhibition. The national tour of the latter exhibition to the National Library and State Libraries is being managed by the Gallery. Finally, my sincere thanks go to Director Ron Radford and the talented staff of the National Gallery for their efforts during another year of challenge and achievement. Yours sincerely Rupert Myer AM 8 NatIonal GallerY OF AUSTRalIA Annual Report 2005–06 DIRECTOR’S REPORT In August 2005 the Gallery Council endorsed Significant acquisitions in all collecting areas my Vision for the National Gallery of were made through both purchase and gift Australia which was chiefly concerned with with 1,589 works of art being acquired. two high priority matters: Our Asian art collection in particular was 1. refocusing of the collections and considerably enhanced in preparation for hence a new policy and strategy for the opening of the new Asian galleries. future acquisitions, and 2. a concept for an improved and Significant works acquired from the Indian expanded National Gallery building. Subcontinent included magnificent fifteenth- century Indian wooden wall brackets, the Future collection development will focus to a gift of Margaret Olley AC, which are unique greater extent on the art of Australia and our in any art museum outside India. Among Asia–Pacific region while still continuing the others were the commanding third century development of our modern European and Gandharan figure, theBodhisattva , which American collections. shows the crucial early influence of Greco– Roman art on the Indian subcontinent, the An improved National Gallery building is sixth to eighth century Standing Nagaraja envisaged with expansion of collection from North India, and a Krishna Lila display space in staged additions to the Pichhavai, Nathdvara, Rajasthan, India.