Post by John Cheeseman · Fri 23 Dec 2011 · Behind the scenes
From the Director…
2011 has been a tremendous year for Mosman Art Gallery (MAG), paving the way for a bright future.
Over the past year MAG became recognised as a multi award winning institution. In November we received a Museums and Galleries National Award (MAGNA) for the exhibition Australian Accent: the designs of Annan Fabrics and Vande Pottery in the 40s and 50s, being one of only two NSW galleries to achieve such an award. Earlier in the year Mosman received two Local Government Cultural Awards with the gallery being recognised for its leadership in Aboriginal Cultural Development. I hope that with the strength of our programming we will be well placed to receive many other awards over coming years.
There have been many other highlights in the course of 2011 including:
- achieving Visions of Australia funding for the development of a national tour for the Bungaree project
- providing a preview of the $1 million donation of works by Neil Balnaves
- establishment of a philanthropy officer position in partnership with the Balnaves Foundation
- development of the Open Air locative media project
- staging the inaugural In Situ sculptural and installation festival
- raising the Mosman Art Prize to $30,000 with 2011 seeing the first Mosman resident to win in fifty years
- staging of the Sunday Sounds music concerts
- successfully developing and staging the Golden Summers musical
- establishment of The Cube exhibition space
- re-establishment of the Festival of Mosman including concerts, exhibitions, talks and walks
- conducting a range of activities for the Friends of the Gallery including excursions to White Rabbit Gallery and Sculpture by the Sea.
- receiving a Community Heritage Grant from the National Library of Australia and also training for Gallery staff in better management and preservation of our collection
In order to maintain and grow our activities major capital works to the Gallery have been scheduled for the first half of 2012. Works will include the upgrade of the existing gallery climate control system; maintenance to existing gallery areas including painting walls, repairing ceiling areas and re-polishing floor areas; creation of new gallery spaces; improved meeting/activity spaces; and the reorganising of the foyer and office areas. In order to accommodate these essential works the existing gallery areas will be closed for the first ten weeks of 2012 – it is envisaged that the galleries will then reopen to the public while other works will be staged to continue on the ground floor of the building until late June.
To keep up with all the latest programs and building developments don’t forget to log into our website and sign up for our e-news.
Thank you for your support in 2011 and the staff and I look forward to working with our Friends, volunteers and project partners to enhance our programs and make Mosman Art Gallery a place our community can be even prouder of.
On behalf of the gallery staff I wish you and your families a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.