Queensland Art Gallery Annual Report 2001-02

DIRECTOR'S OVERVIEW 'The role of the Gallery is to make a place for people to connect with art, in all its facets.' Architectus + Davenport Campbell This year Gallery management and staff have been busy not only with the projects and operations of the current building, but also with planning for the Gallery's much-anticipated expansion through the design and construction of the Queensland Gallery of Modern Art. The Queensland Government's announcement in April 2002 of Architectus + Davenport Campbell as the selected architects was an important milestone in the realisation of the Gallery's second site. The Architectus team was unanimously recommended by the Architect Selection Competition's assessment panel, being identified as an ideal partner fo r the Gallery in creating an outstanding functional and architectural building for Queensland. Our current building has seen many highligh ts in terms of exhibitions and programs during 2001-02. One of the standout events was arguably the Gallery's most popular and ambitious children's exhibition to date, 'Play· More than 92 000 people attended during the exhibition's 11-week display, filling the Gallery on a daily basis with children and their families delighting in the presentation of 'playful· Austra lian and international art works from the Gallery's Collection. The popular success of and critical acclaim for the exhibition cemented the Gallery's national and international reputation for excellence in programming for children and families. Built around extensive research undertaken by staff in collaboration with education sector partners, the Gallery's children·s programs continue to create intense interest within the museum sector about future directions in audience development. During the year the Gallery organised the first major retrospective exhibition of work by one of Australia's most distinguished contemporary artists, William Robinson. Robinson's extensive links with Queensland made it highly appropriate that the Gallery took a leading role in documenting and showcasing the work of this significant artist. An official component of the 2001 Goodwill Games Celebration Events, William Robinson: A Retrospective· enjoyed support from Queensland audiences and critics before touring to the National Gallery of Australia where it received a similarly positive reception. The major monograph produced for the exhibition, Darkness and Light: The Art of William Robinson, gained several accolades in both na tional and international design and printing industry competitions. 10 The Gallery's commitment to audience development was reflected in the significant attention given to increasing and diversifying the range of public program events offered during the year. Three new staff positions were created in the areas of public, youth and children's programming , fostering considerable expertise for the Gallery in presenting targeted programs for these audiences. This expertise resulted in the co nsiderable success of events, such as the opening celebrations of 'Play·, and the multi-arts youth event, 'Prime·, in attracting new and younger audiences to the Gallery. Queensland Art Gallery staff continued to make their mark in the museum sector. The Gallery's comm itment to encouraging and fostering the careers of young museum professionals continued, with 15 trainees and apprentices employed during 2001-02. In addition, the Gallery's volunteer and work experience programs, and an nual scholarships and bursaries for young artists, provided essential support and opportunities to Queensland·s next generation of arts workers and artists. The Gallery also supported staff members to undertake professional development opportunities nationally and internationally during the year, to ensure new ideas and global vision benefit local programs. Looking ahead , the Gallery is soon to present the fourth exhibition in the Asia-Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art series. In a new and highly anticipated curatorial approach to the exhibition, APT 2002 will explore important developments in contemporary art and modern culture through the presentation of significant groups of work by each artist represented. In celebrati ng 20 years in our present premises we can look back at how much we·ve achieved - particularly over the last decade with our Asian and Pacific programs - and forward to the development of our second site, the new Queensland Gallery of Modern Art. Doug Hall Director