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06 Queensland Art Gallery Board of Trustees Annual Report 2011–12
Chair's overview
I am delighted to present the Queensland Art Gallery Board
of Trustees Annual Report for 2011–12. I would like to begin
by acknowledging my predecessor, Professor John Hay,
AC
,
who retired in July 2012 after five years as Chair. I also take
this opportunity to acknowledge the former Deputy Chair
of the Board, Tim Fairfax,
AM
, who retired from this position
in April after 16 years on the Board. John and Tim provided
outstanding leadership to the Board and oversaw momentous
change and growth in QAGOMA and the cultural standing
of our state. They will be remembered as highly active and
articulate advocates for the Gallery and its exhibitions and
programs. We are delighted that Tim remains in the role of
President of the Queensland Art Gallery Foundation.
In the interim period between the end of the financial year
and publication of the 2011–12 Annual Report, the Gallery
also farewelled Director Tony Ellwood and Deputy Director,
Programming and Corporate Services, Andrew Clark who
took up the Director and Deputy Director positions at the
National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne. I would also like
to acknowledge their strategic vision and the vital role they
have played in the Gallery’s success, particularly over this
report period.
The Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art prides
itself on being a dynamic and accessible art museum of
international standing. As the state’s premier visual arts
institution, delivered leading cultural and education initiatives
and we have made significant contributions to the tourism
economy throughout 2011–12. We believe these contributions
have provided Queenslanders with better access to,
understanding and enjoyment of the visual arts, enhancing
quality of life by fostering a social and cultural hub within the
community. In 2011–12 the Gallery has once again exceeded
all set targets and attracted over 1.5 million national and
international visitors.
The Gallery places priority on visitor experience. This year our
commitment to providing meaningful experiential, educational
and social access for audiences of all ages progressed to a
higher level with 41 exhibitions presented at QAG and GOMA
(up from 34 in 2010–11); innovative interactive resources such
as The Drawing Room in ‘Matisse: Drawing Life’; award-winning
publications; audience engagement through public programs,
resources and online access; and a comprehensive suite of
programs and exhibitions touring regional Queensland. Visitor
surveys throughout the year have indicated satisfaction with
our exhibitions and programs was 96 per cent.
The 2011–12 program of major exhibitions — including
‘Surrealism: The Poetry of Dreams’ and ‘Matisse: Drawing
Life’ — has had wide audience and cultural tourism appeal.
These exhibitions provided an estimated economic benefit to
Queensland of more than $8.6 million and have strengthened
the Gallery’s profile as a leading cultural tourism destination.
This year we also forged new alliances and strengthened
existing partnerships with many national and international
museums, which are outlined in the following pages. Forward
planning has included successful negotiations with institutions
and arts touring organisations such as the Museo Nacional del
Prado, Madrid; the British Museum, London, and longstanding
partner Art Exhibitions Australia.
In December 2011, we celebrated the fifth anniversary of the
opening of the Gallery of Modern Art with a diverse range
of exhibitions, programs and events marking this important
milestone for the Gallery and cultural life in Queensland.
Five major acquisitions made through the Foundation, one
from each of the Gallery’s collection areas, were on display
throughout GOMA over the summer, along with a series of
exhibitions that highlighted our core collecting and public
engagement ambitions. One of the Gallery’s most popular
recent acquisitions,
In bed
2005 by Ron Mueck, toured to four
venues in Queensland between September 2011 and May
2012, providing regional audiences with an opportunity to view
this extraordinary sculpture. Also as part of the ‘GOMA Turns
5’ celebrations, New Zealand artist Michael Parekowhai was
awarded a commission to create a public sculpture, which
will also commemorate twenty years of the Gallery’s fagship
series ‘The Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art’, with
APT7 which opens in December 2012.
The Gallery remains committed to attracting new visitors
and fulfilling the needs of our audiences, Members and
stakeholders. The Gallery’s web, digital marketing and social
media strategies have increased our ability to engage with
existing and potential audiences, to stimulate attendance and
make social connections within peer networks. This year the
Gallery’s website recorded over 2.37 million user sessions.
QAGOMA Membership increased by 755 new members in
2011–12. The Gallery has also conducted visitor and market
research that has informed audience development enterprises
and marketing campaigns. Our programs and communications
strategies have specifically targeted children and families,
young people, the over 50s, as well as culturally diverse
communities and cinema audiences. Working within this
framework, we have achieved critical acclaim and an increased
national and international profile resulting from collaborative
campaigns with our media and tourism sector partners.
Funding for the Gallery comes primarily from the State
Government grant and covers all core activities and running
costs, ensuring we can offer free public access to the State
Collection, art spaces, public programs and most exhibitions
throughout the year. The cost of staging major exhibitions
is offset by exhibition entrance fees, commercial activities
and sponsorship revenue. We have worked very closely with
existing sponsors and nurtured new business partnerships
to support exhibitions, films and additional public programs
throughout 2011–12, and supplemented this support with
commercial enterprises — including income derived from the
stores, the sale of publications, venue hire, and membership.
Chair’s OVERVIEW
Professor Susan Street
Chair, Queensland Art Gallery Board of Trustees