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38 QUEENSLAND ART GALLERY ANNUAL REPORT 05/06 / initiatives and services programs of assistance / QUEENSLAND ART GALLERY ANNUAL REPORT 05/06 39
To increase accessibility to the Gallery’s Research Library
holdings, particularly its collections of Asia–Pacific material,
the Library’s catalogue was made available on the Gallery’s
website. A database containing extensive information about
art prize exhibitions held in Brisbane from 1950 to 1975 was
also published online as a valuable aid for researchers.
SERVICES TO REGIONAL QUEENSLAND
During the year, ‘Streeton: Works from the Queensland Art
Gallery Collection’ travelled to seven regional Queensland
venues, including the Qantas Founders Outback Museum in
Longreach, the Gladstone Regional Art Gallery and Museum,
Noosa Regional Gallery, Hervey Bay Regional Gallery,
Dogwood Crossing Art Gallery in Miles, Toowoomba Regional
Art Gallery, and Stanthorpe Regional Art Gallery. The
eight-venue tour of ‘Queensland Live: Contemporary Art on
Tour’ was launched at the Gladstone Regional Art Gallery and
Museum, with an official opening by exhibiting artist Judith
Wright in February 2006. ‘Streeton’ was accompanied by a
printed room brochure and online education resource kit,
while ‘Queensland Live’ was supported by an exhibition
catalogue, a printed and online education resource kit, and a
webography of resources.
Gallery staff continued to provide professional advice and
assistance to regional gallery and arts workers throughout
the state, especially those venues hosting travelling
exhibitions from the Gallery. Staff travelled to each regional
venue to assist with the installation and dismantling of
‘Streeton’ and ‘Queensland Live’, and they also travelled to
numerous other regional centres to be involved in
workshops, lectures, floortalks, consultancy services, and the
judging of art awards and prizes.
RECONCILIATION
The Gallery’s commitment to reconciliation recognises the
need to enhance the economic, social and cultural wellbeing
of Indigenous people, and the ‘Xstrata Coal Emerging
Indigenous Art Award’ exhibition (a three-year commitment
by Xstrata Coal) assisted the Gallery in meeting its
commitment to reconciliation. Established by the Gallery and
Xstrata Coal, this annual acquisitive award and exhibition
draws on the talent of emerging urban, regional and remote
Indigenous artists working across all media. In 2006, ten
artists were short-listed and Jonathan Jones awarded the
inaugural $30 000 prize for his work lumination fall wall
weave2004/2006; while the $50 000 annual grant provided
by Xstrata Coal enabled the Gallery to acquire 12 art works to
form the foundation of the Xstrata Coal Indigenous Art
Collection.
Curator and artist Brian Robinson and artist Craig Koomeeta
continued their roles with the Gallery’s Board of Trustees,
while one Indigenous intern employed by the Gallery during
the 2004–05 reporting year — in the area of Marketing and
Communications — continued their employment at the
Gallery. This internship program, initiated in association with
the ‘Story Place’ project in 2001–02, demonstrates the
Gallery’s commitment to training and employing young
Indigenous arts workers.
GALLERY MEMBERSHIP
Two long-standing organisations perform vital roles for the
Gallery — the Foundation engages in fundraising to develop
the Gallery’s Collection and exhibition programs, while the
Friends of the Gallery fosters and enhances public
appreciation of the visual arts.
In 2005 the Foundation launched the successful Blackman
Art Appeal which added City lights1952 by distinguished
Australian painter Charles Blackman to the Gallery’s
Collection. The Foundation also celebrated the 100th
birthday of Pablo Picasso’s La Belle Hollandaise 1905 at the
Foundation’s Gala Dinner on Saturday 6 August. For full
details of the Queensland Art Gallery Foundation operations
and activities, please refer to the separate Annual Report
produced by the Foundation.
Bringing art and people together by actively involving the
community in the Gallery’s activities and programs is the
objective of the Friends of the Gallery, and the series of
planned excursions, ‘Wake up to art!’ presentations, monthly
luncheons, and coffee and film mornings ensured members
continued to enjoy a fulfilling year of Collection- and
exhibition-related events during the year.
THE MELVILLE HAYSOM MEMORIAL ART SCHOLARSHIP
In memory of Mrs Yvonne Haysom’s late husband, the artist
Melville Haysom, the Melville Haysom Memorial Art
Scholarship is awarded annually to an emerging Queensland
artist under the age of 25. The scholarship provides financial
support and access to the Gallery’s resources to assist the
recipient to complete a specific body of work. In 2006 the
scholarship was awarded to Janice Kuczkowski, who
completed Honours at the Queensland College of Art, Griffith
University, in 2005.
HOBDAY AND HINGSTON BURSARY
Instigated by Florence Emily Hobday in memory of her
husband, the artist Percy Stanhope Hobday, and her brother,
Arthur James Hingston, the Hobday and Hingston Bursary was
awarded to Paul Adair, a graduate from the Queensland
College of Art, Griffith University. Paul graduated with Honours
in Photography in 2005. The bursary is awarded annually to
the most promising undergraduate from a Queensland tertiary
art course and each recipient receives financial support
towards their continued development as an artist.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
The Gallery’s volunteers are a committed and enthusiastic
group who play an important role in the life of the Gallery.
Volunteers present interpretive tours of the Collection and
special exhibitions; staff the Information Desk; work behind
the scenes in the Research Library; assist Marketing,
Curatorial, and Friends of the Gallery; and conduct visitor
research for audience development purposes. During the
reporting year, the Gallery’s volunteers continued to dedicate
many hours assisting visitors and staff.
PROGRAMS OF
ASSISTANCE
The Queensland Art Gallery provides assistance and encouragement to young
emerging artists, and professional development and employment opportunities for
museum professionals and young people seeking a career in the visual arts.