Queensland Art Gallery Annual Report 2001-02

.. • ... • .. The Gallery·s focus on strengthening its youth programming integrated with the Regional Services program to present the first Queensland Art Gallery travelling exhibition to be designed specifically to appeal to young adult audiences. 'Otherworlds: Images of Fantasy and Fiction· began its tour to seven regional venues in February 2002. Art work by both regional and metropolitan– based young people was exhibited at the Gallery in the annual 'Minister's Awards for Excellence in Art', which recognised outstanding achievements in visual arts by senior secondary students from throughout the state. The Gallery collaborated with Education Queensland to present this popular exhibition. Another collaboration, this time with Bar Merlo at the Gallery, resulted in the launch of ·starter Space· in April 2002. ·starter Space· has been conceived as a display area within Bar Merlo for the work of young and emerging artists. The Gallery's 2002 Melville Haysom Scholar, Natalya Hughes, was the first young artist to exhibit in the new space. EXHIBITIONS AND PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN Over the past five years, the Queensland Art Gallery has developed both a national and international reputation for excellence in programming for children and families. The major children 's exhibition during 2001-02 was 'Play·, presented from 8 November 2001 to 28 January 2002. The exhibition was an overwhelming success, attracting 92 622 visitors to the Gallery. Importantly, visitor research conducted during 'Play' indicates that the exhibition attracted a high proportion of people who were visiting their first children's exhibition 166.7%1, with more than half of these indicating that it was also their first visit to the Gallery itself. A promotional campaign directed at pre– schools and childcare centres attracted 116 groups to the exhibition. Works by Australian and international artists that explored or exemplified the notion of 'play· were included, along with a special display of art works created by children living in Vietnam as well as children from remote and urban Indigenous Australian communities. Works were grouped into themes such as 'Sport', 'Alice in Wonderland· and 'Games and mazes·. One of the most successful elements of 'Play' was its innovative exhibition design. The design ensured exhibition spaces were welcoming and fun for child ren as well as providing accessible and educational experiences. Conceived as a construction site l'a site for potentiall the design for 'Play· included a series of water tanks fitted with customised interactive elements such as sound and light scapes and a puppet theatre. The exhibition also included a free children's activity book, a custom-designed computer game, and special tours including an Auslan– interpreted tour for children with hearing impairments. The exhibition opening was staged as a special day of celebration for children and families. Held on 25 November, the day attracted just over 4000 people, which exceeded expectations. The staging of the day involved a broad range of staff expertise, including promotions, event management, design and workshop, education and programming, and protective and visitor services. 'Play· was sponsored by Quest Newspapers and Adshel, both new Gallery sponsors who played a key role in promoting the exhibition. The Gallery's partnership with Quest Newspapers on the project resulted in selection as a category finalist in the Australia Business Arts Foundation IAbaF) 2002 Business Arts Partnership Awards. In June 2002 the Gallery again participated in the ·out of the Box· Children's Festival, presenting a five-day program of daily activities centred on 'The Rainbow Serpent', an interactive storytelling and art making experience. Continuing the Indigenous art focus, a special children's drawing trail was also developed to engage children with the patterns and symbolism in works from the Indigenous Australian art collection. Children's programs also played an important role in the William Robinson retrospective lsee 'Exhibitions of Australian Artl The Gallery·s first travelling exhibition for children, 'A Day at the Beach', concluded its popular 11-venue tour of regional Queensland in April 2002. TRAVELLING EXHIBITIONS For the first time, the Queensland Art Gallery presented travelling exhibitions targeted at specific audiences - children and youth. The children's exhibition 'A Day at the Beach· completed its 11-venue tour of regional Queensland at th e Gold Coast City Art Gallery in April 2002. Comprising art works, interactive displays, labels, guided tours, activity books and art making activities, the exhibition was designed to address an age group from pre– school to upper primary 13-12 years). Most venues presented openings or open days for children, which incorporated collaborations with local organisations such as Queensland Surf Lifesaving groups, Queensland Cancer Council representatives and in one case , the local swimming pool. 'Otherworlds: Images of Fantasy and Fiction· is an exhibition with a youth and secondary schools audience focus that was designed to explore aspects of fantasy, fictitious worlds and surrealist imagery through Collection works. This was the first travelling exhibition to be curated and designed for young people in regional centres. The popularity of the theme seems to be an ongoing one for teenagers and young adults. Fantasy, surrealism, science fiction and horror are genres that appear regularly in literature, television and films. 'Otherworlds' began its tour in February and to date has attracted over 20 ODO visitors at its first three venues. Also travelling in Queensland throughout the year were 'Terra Cognita: The Land in Australian Art', ·Northern Journey: Conrad Martens in Early Queensland· and 'Exploring Outback: Artists Responses to Life on the Land'. MAJOR EXHIBITIONS IN DEVELOPMENT Story Place: Indigenous Art of Cape York and the Rainforest This exhibition, scheduled to open in July 2003, will present the rich culture and continuing traditions of the Cape York and rainforest regions of Queensland. During 2001-02 the exhibition continued to be developed with the support of the primary art making communities of the region. It will celebrate and explore the intrinsic links between art works, ceremonies, dance and beliefs unique to the Indigenous cu ltures of the area. During the year project staff visited many institutions in regards to the exhibition, including the James Cook University Museum of Anthropology, the Australian Museum, Sydney, the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies, Canberra, the Melbourne Museum and the South Australian Museum, Adelaide. Staff also began extensive community consultation in regions such as Cairns, Kuranda, Hopevale, Laura and Mossman to establish contacts with community leaders and key regional organisations. 27