DIRECTOR’S OVERVIEW
QUEENSLAND ART GALLERY ANNUAL REPORT 2007–08 13
The Children's Art Centre continued its widely acclaimed
programming, presenting interactive displays and
programs in association with the 'Andy Warhol' and
'Picasso & his collection' exhibitions. The Centre extended
its audience reach during the Picasso exhibition, for the
first time developing an area of its programs specially for
people aged 13–25 years.
The Australian Cinémathèque has established a dedicated
following, with visitors attending a diverse range of
programs this year including a series of exhibitions —
'The Leisure Class' and 'Pierre Bismuth' — presented at
GoMA's Media Gallery.
The first in a new triennial series of contemporary
Australian art exhibitions, ‘Contemporary Australia:
Optimism', will open late this year. The exhibitions will
be part of a new Summer Series at GoMA of large-scale,
exclusive, significant projects, encompassing visual art,
film and performance.
Other exhibitions currently in development include
'Place Makers: Contemporary Queensland Architects',
the 'Premier of Queensland's National New Media Art
Award', major exhibitions of contemporary work from
China and New Zealand, and ‘The 6th Asia Pacific Triennial
of Contemporary Art’, which has received multi-year
funding through the Visual Arts and Crafts Strategy from
the Australian Government and the Queensland
Government.
The achievements of the past year would not have been
possible without the ongoing support and enthusiasm of
the Queensland Government. I thank the Honourable
Anna Bligh,
MP
, Premier of Queensland; the Honourable
Rod Welford,
MP
, the Minister for Education and Training
and Minister for the Arts; and the Honourable Desley
Boyle,
MP
, Minister for Tourism, Regional Development
and Industry. I also thank Arts Queensland. I also wish to
thank the Australian Government, the Department of the
Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts, and the
Australia Council for the Arts for their support. I wish to
acknowledge and thank our corporate and media
sponsors, individual donors, and our audiences for
their support.
I also wish to thank our former Chair of the Board of
Trustees, Wayne Goss; our present Chair, Professor John
Hay,
AC
; members past and present of the Board of
Trustees; and the Foundation Council, for their much
valued contributions over the past year. I would also like to
acknowledge and thank Sir Bruce Watson,
AC
, who retired
as President of the Foundation after 22 years, and
welcome Tim Fairfax,
AM
, as our new President. I would
also like to acknowledge the extraordinary generosity of
Tim and Gina Fairfax, who have given the Gallery a major
donation. This will have an enormous and enduring benefit
for our Collection.
Meeting the demands and challenges of the new two-site
institution depends upon the expertise and commitment
of staff. On behalf of the Gallery's management and
Trustees, I thank our staff for their sustained efforts and
enthusiasm. I would also like to acknowledge and thank
our volunteers who have generously given many hours of
their time during the past year.
I look forward to continuing to build relationships between
the Gallery and the community, our audiences and
supporters over the coming years.
Tony Ellwood
Director
School groups gather at the Gallery
of Modern Art entrance, during the
'Andy Warhol' exhibition 2008.