ANNUAL REPORT 2007–08 ANNUAL REPORT 2007–08 REPORT ANNUAL ANNUAL REPORT 2007–08 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. The Gallery’s governing body, the Council of the National Gallery of Australia, has expertise in arts administration, corporate governance, administration and financial and business management. In 2007–08 the National Gallery of Australia received an appropriation from the Australian Government totalling $58.243 million (including an equity injection of $4 million for development of the national collection and $11.797 million for Stage 1 of the building project), raised $9.624 million, and employed 250.7 full-time equivalent staff. © National Gallery of Australia 2008 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 Publishing Department of the National Gallery of Australia Edited by Eric Meredith Designed by ZOO Printed by Blue Star Print, Canberra National Gallery of Australia GPO Box 1150 Canberra ACT 2601 nga.gov.au/Reports Cover: Frederick McCubbin Violet and goldd 1911 (detail) oil on canvas 87.0 x 144.5 cm National Gallery of Australia, Canberra Purchased with the generous assistance of the Hon. Mrs Ashley Dawson-Damer and John Wylie, AM, and Myriam Wylie 2008 Back cover: Tamil Nadu, India Shiva as Lord of the Dancee [Natarajaa] 11th–12th century bronze 128.5 x 106.0 x 40.0 cm National Gallery of Australia, Canberra Purchased with the assistance of the National Gallery of Australia Foundation 2008 Director’s report: The National Gallery of Australia celebrated its twenty-fifth anniversary by lighting up the building with projected images of major works in the national collection. September 2008 The Hon. Peter Garrett, AM, MP Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts Parliament House CANBERRA ACT 2600 Dear Minister On behalf of the Council of the National Gallery of Australia, 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 2007 to 30 June 2008. This report is submitted to you in accordance with section 9 of the Commonwealth Authorities and Companies Act 19977 and the National Gallery Act 19755. The Performance Report has been prepared in conformity with the Commonwealth Authorities and Companies (Report of Operations) Orders 2008. 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 CONTENTS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL 1 CHAIRMAN’S FOREWORD 5 DIRECTOR’S REPORT 9 CORPORATE OVERVIEW 12 PERFORMANCE REPORT 2007–08 17 Outcome and Outputs 18 Report against Strategic Plan 2007–10 21 GOAL 1 Build and maintain an outstanding national art collection 22 GOAL 2 Increase the audience for and engagement with the exhibitions and programs of the National Gallery of Australia 32 GOAL 3 Create a welcoming and engaging visitor experience 47 GOAL 4 Secure and strategically manage resources to support Gallery operations and activities 49 GOAL 5 Provide a safe and productive working environment for all staff appropriate to the Australian Public Sector and art museum standards 52 GOAL 6 Ensure the highest standards of corporate governance 56 GOAL 7 Build productive relationships with Government and other stakeholders 57 FINANCIAL REPORTS 59 APPENDICES 101 APPENDIX 1 Council of the National Gallery of Australia 102 APPENDIX 2 Management structure at 30 June 2008 104 APPENDIX 3 Staff of the National Gallery of Australia at 30 June 2008 105 APPENDIX 4 Acquisitions 2007–08 107 APPENDIX 5 Total acquisitions including purchases and gifts 2002–03 to 2007–08 161 APPENDIX 6 Exhibitions and new displays shown at the National Gallery of Australia 2007–08 162 APPENDIX 7 Attendances 2002–03 to 2007–08 163 APPENDIX 8 Travelling exhibitions 2007–08 164 APPENDIX 9 Outward loans to exhibitions – Australia and international 166 APPENDIX 10 Inward loans 174 APPENDIX 11 Outward loans including travelling exhibitions 2002–03 to 2007–08 182 APPENDIX 12 National Gallery of Australia sponsors 2007–08 183 APPENDIX 13 National Gallery of Australia volunteers at 30 June 2008 185 APPENDIX 14 Publications of the National Gallery of Australia 2007–08 187 APPENDIX 15 Website visitation 188 APPENDIX 16 Consultants 2007–08 190 APPENDIX 17 Compliance index and contact officers 191 INDEX 193 National Gallery of Australia Council as at 30 June 2008: (l–r) Mrs Roslynne Bracher, AM, the Hon. Ian Callinan, AC, Dr Ron Radford, AM, the Hon. Mrs Ashley Dawson-Damer, Mrs Roslyn Packer, AO, Mr Warwick Hemsley, Mr John Calvert-Jones, AM, Mr Charles Curran, AC, Mr Rupert Myer, AM CHAIRMAN’S FOREWORD The past year marked a significant milestone in the and its engagement with the public. During the history of the Gallery as it celebrated the twenty- year, the Gallery Council continued its focus on fifth anniversary of its opening to the public. Many implementing policies and structural changes to of the Gallery’s supporters, sponsors and benefactors achieve Director Ron Radford’s Vision for the from around Australia and abroad joined current National Gallery of Australia. and former Council members, directors, staff and volunteers during the course of the year. The Many contributions have made the Gallery a launch of the National Indigenous Art Triennial, the ‘must visit’ destination. As the year ended, due commencement of Stage 1 of the building extension, largely to the efforts of the National Gallery of the acquisition of great works of art, many Australia Foundation, our target of securing through the wonderful generosity of benefactors, $25 million in gifts, pledges, sponsorships and the continuation of our international exhibition bequests from the private sector from 2006 to program and the opening of several important new 2008 was achieved. I would like to thank the many galleries will remain as permanent reminders of this generous benefactors and sponsors that contributed momentous year. to this exceptional achievement and acknowledge the leadership of Mr Charles Curran, AC, and On the occasion of the anniversary, I spoke of our the Board of the National Gallery of Australia responsibility at the Gallery to treasure our nation’s Foundation in this endeavour. significant works of art, to share them, to study them, to add to them, to display them to the best I would also like to acknowledge the efforts of of our ability, but above all to look after them, to my colleagues on the Gallery Council for their hold them safely so that others might come to gain ongoing efforts to ensure the success of the Gallery. knowledge, to delight and to gain contentment In this year Mr Robert Champion de Crespigny, from them, and to be stimulated by them to do AC, and Ms Lee Liberman concluded their service great things. on the Council. I would like to acknowledge their significant contributions while welcoming to the This notion of the Gallery as a place of learning Council the Hon. Ian Callinan, AC. and inspiration was revisited when the Director Ron Radford and I were privileged to participate Mr Charles Curran, AC, continued as Deputy Chair in the 2020 Summit earlier this year. The Summit of the Gallery Council and Chair of the Building group looking at major galleries and institutions Committee as well as Chair of the National Gallery acknowledged the multi-dimensional roles that of Australia Foundation. Mrs Roslyn Packer, AO, they perform. In particular, the group thought continued as Chair of the Acquisitions Committee that the contribution of these organisations to the and Mr Warwick Hemsley as Chair of the Finance, education curriculum is absolutely crucial. The Risk Management and Audit Committee. I thank group’s ambition was that in 2020 there will be them and all my colleagues on the Council as well universal access for all students to the materials and as the Board of the National Gallery of Australia collections of all major cultural institutions as part Foundation for their hard work, generous support of the education process. and sincere commitment to the Gallery. Many of them provided an extraordinary level of support for The Gallery shares that aspiration. It is a key the development of the national collection and the component of our overall responsibility to National Gallery of Australia Council Exhibitions preserve, develop and promote the Gallery’s Fund during the year. collection, its outstanding reputation for excellence NATIONAL GALLERY OF AUSTRALIA ANNUAL REPORT 2007–08 5 I would also like to warmly thank all of the Gallery guides and the many volunteers who continue to make an outstanding contribution to the work of the Gallery. The Council acknowledges with appreciation the ongoing support of the Australian Government through the Hon. Kevin Rudd, MP, Prime Minister of Australia, and the Hon. Peter Garrett, AM, MP, Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts, and Departmental officials. The support provided by Ministers in the former government, particularly with the building project, is also acknowledged with appreciation. I would especially like to acknowledge the extraordinary efforts of Director Ron Radford, AM, and the Gallery’s dedicated and talented staff and, on behalf of the Council, express my sincere appreciation for another year of outstanding achievement.