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Gallery profile
Queensland Art Gallery ANNUAL REPORT 2008–09
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GALLERY PROFILE
VISION
Increase quality of life for all Queenslanders through
enhanced access, understanding and enjoyment
of the visual arts and develop Queensland’s
reputation as a culturally dynamic state.
MISSION
To be the focus for the visual arts in Queensland
and a dynamic and accessible art museum of
international standing.
Originally established in 1895, the Queensland Art Gallery
opened in its present South Bank premises in June 1982.
In late 2006, the Gallery became a two-site institution, with
the opening of the Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA). Situated
at Kurilpa Point only 150 metres from the Queensland Art
Gallery building, the Gallery of Modern Art focuses on the art
of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. This year, a major
refurbishment of selected gallery spaces was completed
at the Queensland Art Gallery. Funded by the Queensland
Government, the refurbishment represents the first
significant upgrade since the building opened 27 years ago.
The Gallery’s driving philosophy is to connect art and
people. Since 1982, more than 13 million people have
visited, and this year attendances for the Queensland Art
Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art totalled 1 153 326.
With the opportunities presented by the expanded and
upgraded facilities of a two-site institution, the Gallery’s
Collection, exhibitions, audiences and programs have
grown in scale, complexity and diversity. The Gallery
presents a dynamic program of exhibitions and events,
complemented by interpretive public programs and
publishing. Working closely with key corporate and tourism
sector partners, the Gallery continues to build a profile as a
significant cultural tourism destination in the region.
The Gallery’s Collection, including the internationally
recognised contemporary Asian and Pacific collection,
now includes 13 743 works, with 579 works acquired in
2008–09. Works from the Collection, including major new
acquisitions, feature strongly in the exhibitions program.
The Gallery’s engagement with the Asia Pacific region
continues with the ongoing activities of the Australian
Centre of Asia Pacific Art (ACAPA), and the Asia Pacific
Triennial series of exhibitions. The Gallery also profiles
the artistic practice and cultural life of Indigenous
Australia through its Collection, exhibitions and programs.
The Queensland Art Gallery Foundation provides vital
support to the Gallery, supporting the development of the
Collection and the presentation of exhibition programs. This
year was particularly significant for the Foundation, with the
celebration during 2009 of its 30th anniversary.
The Children’s Art Centre develops and presents
programs for children, young people and families, and
the Gallery is recognised as an international leader in
presenting innovative museum-based learning programs
for children. The Gallery also presents a comprehensive
educational program, serving schools, universities and
the broader education sector.
The Australian Cinémathèque is integral to the Gallery’s
programming. Launched in 2005, the Cinémathèque
is the only one of its kind in an Australian art museum.
The Cinémathèque collects, conserves, presents and
interprets film and screen culture.
Travelling exhibitions, educational services and
professional development opportunities are provided to
regional and remote Queensland through the Gallery’s
Regional Services program. The Queensland Art Gallery
is the only state gallery to provide an ongoing and
comprehensive program of Collection-based travelling
exhibitions and public programs to regional areas as part
of its core business.
STRATEGIC PLAN 2008–13
The Gallery’s Strategic Plan 2008–13 is based on the
following five goals.
Two sites, one vision
To consolidate the Gallery’s profile as a two-site institution
following the opening of GoMA in December 2006, while
developing and promoting the strengths of each building’s
curatorial and programming focus to audiences.
Cultural tourism
To secure significant international exhibitions exclusive
to Queensland and increase the profile of the Gallery
as a cultural tourism destination for local, intrastate,
interstate and international visitors.
Collection development
To develop, manage and conserve the Collection to
the highest art museum standards for the benefit and
enjoyment of present and future users.
Accessibility and education
To provide access to exhibitions, educational services
and interpretive programs of excellence to diverse
audiences, with particular attention to children and
young people, Indigenous Australians and regional
Queenslanders.
Engagement with the Asia Pacific region
To strengthen the Gallery’s ties with the Asia Pacific
region through initiatives such as the Asia Pacific
Triennial of Contemporary Art and the Australian Centre
of Asia Pacific Art, as well as the development of the
Gallery’s renowned contemporary Asian and Pacific
collections.
OPPOSITE
Visitors outside GoMA and
the River Cafe during the
opening of the exhibition
‘Contemporary Australia: Optimism’,
November 2008
Photograph: Joanne Bell