ANNUAL REPORT 2015/16 COUNCIL OF TRUSTEES OF THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA NGV ANNUAL REPORT 2015/16 COUNCIL OF TRUSTEES OF THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA CONTENTS NGV INTERNATIONAL OVERVIEW SUPPORT 180 St Kilda Road About the NGV 3 Affiliated groups 105 President’s foreword 4 2015/2016 Donors 107 Director’s review 6 NGV Foundation Members 111 THE IAN POTTER CENTRE: NGV AUSTRALIA Federation Square Strategic framework 10 Felton Society Members 117 Report against output targets 11 NGV Life Members 118 National Gallery of Victoria PO Box 7259 Emeritus Trustees and Foundation Board Members 119 Melbourne VIC 3004 2015/16 PERFORMANCE REPORT Partners 120 Australia +61 3 8620 2222 Bringing artworks to life 13 Connecting audiences 18 GOVERNANCE www.ngv.vic.gov.au Realising our potential 22 Council of Trustees 127 ISSN: 2206-4974 Sharing our vision 25 Council committees and working groups 129 Exhibitions 28 Organisational structure 130 Acquisitions 32 Staff statistics 131 ACCOUNTABLE OFFICER’S DECLARATION In accordance with the Financial Management Act 1994, Publications 48 Other corporate reports 133 I am pleased to present the Council of Trustees of the National Gallery of Victoria’s Annual Report for the year Additional information available on request 141 ending 30 June 2016. 2015/16 FINANCIAL REPORT Disclosure index 142 Five-year financial summary 55 Independent audit report 58 Financial statements 60 Notes to the financial statements 65 Janet Whiting AM President, Council of Trustees 25 August 2016 (front cover) Ai Weiwei with Forever Bicycles, 2015, at the media preview of Andy Warhol | Ai Weiwei. December 2015. Photo: Christian Markel Artwork © Ai Weiwei ABOUT THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF VICTORIA ORIGINS STATE COLLECTION Founded in 1861, the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) is Australia’s The State Collection comprises approximately 70,000 works oldest public art gallery. illustrating the history and development of Australian, Indigenous and OVERVIEW international art, design and architecture in all media. GOVERNANCE The National Gallery of Victoria Act 1966 established the NGV as PRINCIPAL LOCATIONS a statutory authority which currently sits within the Department of The NGV’s St Kilda Road Gallery, designed by Sir Roy Grounds, Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources. The Act opened in 1968. Since December 2003 the NGV has operated across provides for a Council of Trustees with overall responsibility for the two sites – NGV International on St Kilda Road, redesigned by Mario Gallery. The Council reports to the Minister for Creative Industries. Bellini; and The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia at Federation Square, designed by LAB Architecture Studio. COUNCIL OF TRUSTEES FUNCTIONS Section 13 (1) of the National Gallery of Victoria Act provides that the ADMISSION functions of the Council shall be to: Admission to the State Collection is free. Entry fees are charged for • control, manage, operate, promote, develop and maintain the some exhibitions. National Gallery land • maintain, conserve, develop and promote the State Collection of OPENING HOURS works of art NGV International • make material within the State Collection available to persons, 180 St Kilda Road departments and institutions in such manner and subject to such Open daily 10am–5pm conditions as the Council determines, with a view to the most advantageous use of the State Collection The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia • conduct public programs and exhibitions of material within Federation Square the State Collection Open daily 10am–5pm • carry out and make available such other services, including computers and other technologies, and the printing, publication and sale of books, information and reproductions in relation to pictures, works of art and art exhibits as the Council thinks fit • assist the promotion, organisation and supervision of art galleries and any body or association established for the promotion of art within Victoria • advise the Minister and these organisations on matters of general policy relating to art galleries • provide leadership in the provision of art gallery services in Victoria • carry out other functions as the Minister from time to time approves • carry out any other functions conferred on the Council under this Act. (opposite) Ai Weiwei in conversation with Virginia Trioli during the opening weekend of the exhibition Andy Warhol | Ai Weiwei. 2 3 PRESIDENT’S FOREWORD The strength of the NGV Collection and our ambitious exhibition I would also like to express my sincere thanks to fellow Trustees schedule are supported and enabled by the generosity of the Professor Su Baker, Leigh Clifford AO, Dr Susan Cohn, Peter Edwards, philanthropic and corporate community. The NGV Foundation Lisa Gay, Corbett Lyon, Vicki Pearce, Andrew Sisson and Michael plays a crucial role in the Gallery’s fundraising activities, and many Ullmer for the dedication and expertise they bring to this institution. significant donations made during the past twelve months have The Council Committees and Working Groups also contribute enriched the NGV Collection and supported specific Gallery projects. enormously to the NGV and I would like to thank the external members The 2015 NGV Annual Appeal successfully raised funds to acquire who volunteered their time and guidance: Caroline Coops, Jane Howard Arkley’s Actual fractual, 1994, and I thank everyone who Harvey, Stephen Ridgeway and Tam Vu on the Audit, Risk and supported the acquisition, in particular the Fox Family Foundation, Compliance Committee; Chris Pidcock on the Investment Committee; Robert Gould and Carol Sisson. Chris Thomas on the Remuneration and Nominations Committee; John Cunningham and Ian Tully on the Victorian Foundation for Living In December 2015 Mrs Krystyna Campbell-Pretty, in memory of Australian Artists Committee; and President of the NGV Foundation Harold Campbell-Pretty, generously provided funds for the Gallery Board Hugh Morgan AC and board members Bill Bowness, Krystyna to acquire a remarkable collection of 130 haute couture garments Campbell-Pretty, Nicole Chow, Philip Cornish, Katie Dewhurst, Paula and an extensive fashion archive that will transform the NGV’s fashion Fox AO, Morry Fraid, John Higgins, Joanna Horgan, Craig Kimberley collection and enable the research and display of key decades of OAM, Sarah Morgan, Dr Geoff Raby, Michael Tong and Kee Wong. French high fashion. Krystyna and the Campbell-Pretty family have also continued to support the Schools Access Program which The many positive outcomes the NGV has achieved over the past enables access to the Gallery for students from schools that year would not be possible without the support of the Victorian have not previously visited. Government, and on behalf of the Council of Trustees and the NGV’s executive management team we sincerely thank Victorian Premier, the The Loti and Victor Smorgon Fund has provided a lasting legacy to Hon. Daniel Andrew MP; the Minister for Creative Industries, Martin the NGV over many years, supporting numerous projects including the Foley MP; the Secretary of the Department of Economic Development, series of Federation Court Commissions which showcase important Jobs, Transport and Resources, Richard Bolt; and the Deputy On behalf of the Council of Trustees of the National Gallery of Victoria, A significant measure of the year’s accomplishments is the recording works by contemporary artists. In 2015 the Loti and Victor Smorgon Secretary, Creative Victoria, Andrew Abbott. I am pleased to present the NGV’s Annual Report for 2015/16. of 2.6 million visitors to the NGV during the period. This represents an fund enabled the commissioning of Rock melt, 2015, by Jamie North, increase of 15% on last year’s attendance and is a remarkable 72% The Dawn, 2014, by Emily Floyd, and We'll see how all reverberates, The NGV holds a special place in the cultural life of Melbourne, and It was an honour to be appointed to the role of President of the NGV higher than figures from five years ago. The steady growth in visitation 2012, by Carlos Amorales. we look forward to continuing to provide many exciting opportunities Council of Trustees in late 2015, and I have been delighted to work over this period is a testament to the bold vision that NGV Director for the community to engage with art, ideas and events in the alongside my fellow Trustees, the executive management team and Tony Ellwood and his team have delivered. This year we have reviewed The development of the NGV Collection has also been greatly year to come. NGV staff during what has been another extremely successful year and updated the strategic direction. The Strategic Direction 2016–19 enhanced by a number of bequests received during the period, at the Gallery. builds on the success delivered under the previous plan and will including a significant bequest from the Estate of Dorothy Grace Janet Whiting AM continue to guide the NGV’s mission of innovation and excellence. Elford. We also gratefully acknowledge the generous gift from Morry President, Council of Trustees I would like to begin by acknowledging my predecessor Bruce Fraid of Albert Tucker’s John Batman meets Eliza Callaghan, 1971, August 2016 Parncutt AO for his considerable contribution to the NGV. Bruce The scale of the Gallery’s undertakings would not be possible without and from Christine George of Roger Kemp's Centreform, 1986, both commenced as a Trustee in 2005 and after serving on the Council the support we receive from our broad community, and on behalf of donated through the Australian Government’s Cultural Gifts Program. of Trustees for seven years was appointed its President in 2012. the NGV Council of Trustees I would particularly like to thank our many In this capacity he was instrumental in the growth and success of friends, volunteers, donors, Members, Government and corporate Since 1904 the Felton Bequest has enabled the Gallery to make the Gallery, guiding it through a period of organisational change and partners who all contribute immeasurably to the success of the important acquisitions that have significantly shaped the NGV overseeing the development and implementation of the NGV’s new Gallery.