Queensland Art Gallery Annual Report 1997-98

During the latter part of the year, a number of focus groups were organised to determine public perceptions of the Gallery, and the needs of our various audiences. The focus groups included regular visitors, teachers, students, tourism operators, young professionals and Gallery Store customers. The results will be used to provide better services to the Gallery's visitors. This research is generously sponsored and undertaken by the Pacific Southwest Strategy Group. The Gallery's volunteers continue to provide important services to our visitors in staffing the front Information Desk, and their dedicated assistance is much appreciated. Openings and Corporate Functions During 1997- 98, the Gallery was the venue for fifty-three corporate functions and thirty-four corporate meetings. The Premier's function to farewell H. E. Mrs Leneen Forde AC, Governor of Queensland, was held in the Water Mall in July. Other functions included a dinner in the Gallery for members of the Gold Coast Expo 2002 bid, the launch of the Myer spring/summer fashions, cocktails for the Information Technology & Telecommunications Awards, and a corporate dinner for Astra Pharmaceuticals. The versatility of the Gallery as a function venue was again demonstrated with over 350 attending the 'Eighth Deadly Sin' ball organised to promote Spectrum to Queensland's young professionals. There were nine exhibition openings during the year. These included Gallery 14 contemporary exhibitions, and travelling exhibitions such as 'William Dobell 1899-1970: The Painters Progress', 'The Golden Age of Dutch Art' and 'Russell Drysdale 1912-81'. The Gallery enjoys a reputation as a prestigious, unique and versatile functions venue, and a dedicated promotional campaign was undertaken to market the venue as an Unforgettable functions experience. The Gallery's first functions' brochure was produced during the year and used in a direct marketing campaign to companies, public sector organisations and professional conference organisers. Queensland Art Gallery Foundation The Queensland Art Gallery relies heavily on sponsorship and private donations to serve its public. The Foundation plays an important role in generating funds which assist in the development of the Collection and the Gallery's provision of a range of services to Queenslanders and visitors from interstate and abroad. The 1997-98 financial year has been a highly successful year for the Foundation with the development of two major initiatives. These were the launch in October of Spectrum, the new program for young supporters of the Gallery, and a major fundraising appeal to support the acquisition of a rare suite of six Conrad Martens watercolours. The Conrad Martens Appeal, which is continuing into the 1998-99 financial year, was the most successful appeal the Foundation has undertaken since the 1980s, and raised just under half the purchase price to acquire these heritage works. A total of $164 850 was pledged in donations, with $145 450 of this recorded prior to 30 June 1998. Sixty-four new memberships were attracted and three upgrades of membership were received . The generosity of the 125 donors was overwhelming and resulted in the Foundation doubling its initial fundraising target The Gallery receives numerous requests to introduce social and educational activities for a young adult audience, and the Foundation has responded with the formation of Spectrum, a new program which aims to encourage interest in the Gallery from among the young professional sector. The annual tax– deductible subscription of $150 is wholly directed to purchases of art works for the Collection, for which Spectrum is acknowledged as the funding source. The 1997- 98 financial year recorded a total of $1 179 241 in funds generated. This includes cash donations, sponsorships, gifts of art works, government subsidy received and interest earned on investments, bringing the total of funds generated by the Foundation since its establishment in December 1979 to $14 929 451. Four exhibitions and two events received corporate sponsorship through the Foundation and two publications were assisted with corporate and private funding. In addition, 165 works were acquired through the Foundation. Corporate and private donations acquired nine works for the Collection. Numerous gifts were received, including a suite of fifty-two Fluxus works from Special Patron Mr Francesco Conz. A total of eighty-two new memberships were received during the year, with seven of these being upgrades to higher categories. This represents the largest number of new memberships received since the earliest days of the Foundation, and we are confident that with continued emphasis on the importance of the public's financial input to the State Collection, this growth in support will continue. Foundation funds supported local, regional Queensland and international exhibitions, and assisted the professional development of Gallery staff. The Foundation supported Anne Carter, Temporary Conservator, Paintings, in her internship in Paintings Conservation at the Museum of Modern Art, New York. The active calendar of private viewings for members was well patronised, and corporate members regularly used the Water Mall throughout the year for functions and viewings. The regional tour of 'The Urban Edge: Historical and Contemporary Works from the Queensland Art Gallery Collection' continued with sponsorship by Santos Limited. 32 Opposite top: WILLIAMS, Fred Australia 1927-1982 Tree pruning 1955-56 Etching and drypoint, state 1 11/16 10.2 x 22.5cm Opposite bottom: GRIFFIN, Murray Australia 1903- 1992 Native planting 1948 011 on board 51.4 x 43.5cm Purchased 1997 Queensland Art Gallery Foundation Grant