Queensland Art Gallery Annual Report 1995-96

P U B L I C PROGRAMS two major community events that were highlights of the centenary Twenty new Information Officers were recruited and received year-the opening celebration for the exhibition Pathways...' and extensive training to ensure efficient and friendly 'front-of-house' the Centenary Open Day. service. In addition, more than thirty volunteers were recruited and trained to conduct exhibition surveys. The theme of the Pathways...' opening on Sunday, 10 September was 'Ngadli bandara beren - We are strong today'. The local Increased use was made of established systems enabling twenty-four Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community participated in al hour access to information on Gallery exhibitions, programs and aspects of activities, including design of the invitation flier, services. InfoBrisbane, the touch screen information network performances, making dampers, a welcome byjagera elder Uncle developed by North Communications and the Brisbane City Herb Bligh, and Tiger Bale from Triple A Radio as master of cer- Council, enabled access to Gallery events via twenty-five terminals emonies. More than 1100 people attended the day-long celebration. throughout metropolitan Brisbane. Figures indicate the popularity of this interactive system (1995-96 usage totalled 4 346), as well Over 3 000 people attended the Centenary Open Day on Sunday, as the Gallery's 0055 Information Line. 3 December. Publicity included a three-page advertising supplement in the Courier-Mail, well supported by sponsors and other arts Over 200 exhibition and program listings were also generated each organisations, and wide direct-marketing of a promotional flier, month for local, regional, national and international print, radio and Overwhelming positive feedback was received for the day's tourism listings. This resulted in increased support from community- activities, which incorporated behind-the-scenes and Collection service radio, which further increased the profile of the Gallery. tours, curatorial talks, films, themed performances, Gallery Shop sale, historical and computer displays in the Library, open-house in Corporate Liaison the Gallery Society Rooms, and a balloon sculpture in the Water The Gallery was the venue for seventeen corporate functions Mall. Sponsors of the day were Network Ten, Radio 4KQ, Ansett including a Premier's Department reception for a visiting Saitama Australia and Balloons Galore. Delegation; presentation by the Minister for Justice, Attorney General and the Arts of his department's Australia Day awards; and Media sponsorship again played a vital role in promoting the Gallery. sponsors functions. The Gallery proved a popular venue for Network Ten generously supported the centenary program, with conference functions, with organisers of the 1995 IDP International on-air campaigns for major exhibitions, the 'Pathways...' opening Education Conference and of the highly acclaimed Ramsar and the Centenary Open Day. Radio 4KQ generously sponsored Convention using the Watermall area for receptions. and supported 'A Time Remembered...' and the Centenary Open Day, while ABC Radio Queensland supported the regional tour of The generous support of sponsors, such as the Bank of Queensland 'Ancient Land, Modern Art...' for 'A Time Remembered...' and Santos for 'Australian Colonial Art enabled these organisations to entertain guests in the Gallery. Significant loint-marketing initiatives by the South Bank Precinct These functions included a tour of the relevant exhibition for guests, Committee and the Queensland Cultural Centre Marketing preceded by an interpretive presentation by Gallery personnel, Committee, of which the Gallery is a member, included tourism including Education Officers and Curators. john Trivett's Brisbane industry familiarisations, a Cultural Centre facilities brochure, and BMW's previous sponsorship of the Brisbane BMW Renaissance Ball tourism advertising, enabled them to entertain their clients on four separate occasions, viewing a different exhibition each time. Community Liaison Involvement of Community Liaison with major events increased The Functions Reserve Fund, generated by corporate use of the opportunities for marketing the Gallery to a wider audience. Gallery, made possible the purchase of Tony Coleing's Beware of camels with volcano humps 1990; an upgrade of the public address Extensive poster and brochure distribution for 'A Time equipment; refurbishment of furniture; and floral arrangements Remembered...' and 'Australian Colonial Art...' targeted specific in the Gallery's main entrance foyer. and new audiences. Exhibition surveys indicated that a large number of visitors came from regional Queensland and inter-state, reflecting the success of promoting programs outside Brisbane. Promotional activities for the Centenary Open Day celebrations, which coincided with 'A Time Remembered...', proved highly successful in attracting a large and diverse audience. Involvement in joint Queensland Cultural Centre displays, such as for Tourism Week 1995 in the Queen Street Mall and The Brisbane Holiday and Travel Show 1996 at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre, increased opportunities for face-to-face contact in marketing the Gallery. Following the success of the Matisse 'jazz on Sundays' program, the popular 'just jazz' festival was organised. Sponsored by the Gallery Bistro, it introduced a new audience to the Gallery, encouraging return visits.