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Introduction
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Overview
The Queensland Art Gallery was established in 1895. Architecturally, the Queensland Art Gallery, which moved to its present facility in 1982, is the most acclaimed building of its type in Australia. The symmetry and coherence of its interior spaces are ideally suited to the display and enjoyment of all forms of art.
An outstanding feature of the Gallery is its flexibility in being able to successfully display a wide range of visiting exhibitions as well as housing the permanent State Art Collection. The major part of the Collection is devoted to Australian art from Colonial times to the present, including painting, sculpture, prints, drawings, photographs, decorative arts and crafts. The strength of the Australian collection lies in its broad representation of significant late 19th and 20th Century art. The Galleryıs International collection, consisting mainly of British and European works, includes acknowledged masterpieces such as Picassoıs La Belle Hollandaise.
The Galleryıs development of notable links with the Asia-Pacific region and the increasing representation of its many cultures within the Collection reflect the ways in which Australia as a whole is seeking to better understand and locateı itself within the region. The Gallery is the leading art institution in Australia to recognise and pursue the collecting of contemporary art from Asia and is at the forefront of Australian efforts to seek an intelligent dialogue with the arts of our region. Our collection of contemporary Asian art is recognised internationally for its breadth and excellence.
The Queensland Art Galleryıs public programs emphasise the Collection and feature a diverse series of exhibitions and a comprehensive and lively education program that engages people of all ages. The Gallery enjoys an excellent reputation for the quality of its schools program which aims to inspire and inform young people from pre-school to secondary levels. A recent initiative has been the development of a series of Collection-based childrenıs exhibitions, which have proved an outstanding success. A team of specially trained Volunteer Guides assists Education staff in conducting tours of the permanent Collection and special exhibitions. The education program also includes lectures, seminars, films, music, workshops and floor talks.
The Gallery prides itself on a comprehensive exhibitions program, drawing upon local and international sources to secure the finest collections available for public viewing. A major initiative has been the development of the internationally acclaimed Asia-Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art, a celebration of the contemporary art of the region that aims to enhance cultural awareness and understanding. The regional services program includes tours of exhibitions to regional and remote centres throughout Queensland. In addition, Gallery staff travel to regional centres to provide education and promotional programs to accompany the exhibitions.
The Gallery attracts high levels of community support, reflected in attendance figures and the interest shown in the range of programs and services it offers. Queenslandıs rapidly expanding population and its ongoing popularity as a tourist destination provides potential for even greater patronage.
With the Governmentıs announcement in May 2000 of the construction of a new Queensland Gallery of Modern Art, the Gallery now looks forward to further expanding and diversifying its exhibitions and programs and services, including those to regional Queensland. As a two-site Gallery with more than double the space of the existing site, the new expanded Gallery will strengthen its international and national reputation and present the world with an outstanding example of architectural and artistic excellence.
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