Queensland Art Gallery Annual report 1999-2000

C,-ia rman Dverview As the State's premier institution for the visual arts, the remarkable Aboriginal artists and one of the former Queensland Art Gallery plays an important leadership leaders in Reconciliation. The exhibition opens in role in Queensland by contributing to the social, Sydney as part of the 2000 Olympic Arts Festival before economic, cultural and tourism development of the State. opening in Brisbane in late 2000. It has been a year of achievement for the Gallery The Gallery's achievements would not have been with the announcement of the Queensland Government's possible without the support of the State Government, commitment to develop the Queensland Gallery of audiences, sponsors and partners, and on behalf of the Modern Art. This new building will house a range of Board of Trustees I gratefully acknowledge their new programs featuring modern and contemporary art. invaluable contributions. Special acknowledgment must This project offers a significant opportunity to further go to the Sidney Myer Centenary Celebration 1899-1999 develop access to the visual arts and we are now Gift and to Michael Myer and Ann Gamble Myer for their working hard to turn the vision into reality The Gallery landmark contributions towards the purchase of art has embarked upon a comprehensive review of its works for The Kenneth and Yasuko Myer Collection of acquisition and deaccession policies, and during the next Contemporary Asian Art. Their collective commitment of year the focus will be on how the holdings of modern $2 million is a much-appreciated example of and contemporary art might be enhanced in preparation philanthropic leadership which will bring delight to the for the opening of the new facility Underpinning this Gallery's many visitors, both now and in the future. focus will be strategic fundraising initiatives to raise the Collaborative programming with Queensland State profile of these particular Collection areas. Library and Southbank Corporation brought new group The highlight of the year's programming was the audiences to the Gallery, expanding group contacts Third Asia-Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art. which included a number of tertiary institutions. The Attended by a record number of local, national and Gallery provides a diverse and creative education international visitors, it built on the success of two program to attract and service the education sector previous Triennials and was embraced by a broad cross- including preschool, primary, secondary and tertiary section of the community whose enthusiasm enabled the levels, and professional and volunteer groups. Significant program to develop and grow numbers of student groups visited the Gallery, particular Another milestone was the 100th anniversary of attractions being APT3, Kids' APT, 'Jeffrey Smart' and the touring exhibitions to regional Queensland. A special '1999 Minister's Awards for Excellence in Art'. exhibition celebrating the anniversary travelled to six Dedication and commitment are key ingredients to venues throughout the State, and reaffirmed the Gallery's all successful organisations, and Gallery staff have been commitment to bringing the visual arts to all exemplary in their drive, determination and vision. Their Queenslanders. Other regional initiatives included the hard work saw a year of diverse programming for establishment of a strategic alliance with the Cairns children, families, students, multicultures, tourists and Regional Gallery the broader community. As part of the Gallery's commitment to The coming year will be one of new challenges and Reconciliation and the advancement of Indigenous great excitement as we work towards the new Australian art, we are working towards the opening of Queensland Gallery of Modern Art and generate a 'Urban Dingo: The Art of Lin Onus 1948-1996'. This program that will challenge, educate and enthral. retrospective exhibition, accompanied by a major publication, will celebrate one of Australia's most Wayne Goss