Tim Storrier and the Art Gallery “cabal”
Postmodernism and art prizes Tim Storrier, on winning Australia’s richest art prize (above, October 18), couldn’t resist taking a swipe at the board of trustees of the Art Gallery of New South Wales (AGNSW). They were, he said, a “postmodernist cabal” driven by fashion, identity [...]
Funding galleries and museums – the real issue
It’s a sad reflection on the level of discussion about culture in the New South Wales Coalition government that when arts funding is mentioned to its representatives, they assume that you’re talking about a new building. Preferably one to which the dreadful words “iconic” and [...]
Lessons from the Powerhouse debacle
Pointed questions at the parliamentary inquiry Premier Gladys Berejiklian’s Coalition government in NSW is under increasing fire over its arts policy following the latest hearing by the Upper House Inquiry into Museums and Galleries. The public inquiry, which has again postponed its reporting date (now [...]
The Powerhouse scandal: A case study in cultural vandalism
Beware governments that talk about community consultation, but in practice fall in with the wishes of the developers. At the end of July, after months of speculation and in flagrant disregard for her own government’s community consultation process, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced that the [...]
Behind the Archibald controversy
By JUDITH WHITE Artist John Olsen first came to public prominence back in 1953, as a leader of art students protesting against the conservative Archibald Prize choices of the Art Gallery of New South Wales Board of Trustees. That's him on the left of the [...]
Arts boards and the culture of secrecy
In 2007 the Australian Public Service Commission published a set of guidelines entitled Building Better Governance. Under the heading “Clear Accountability Mechanisms” it stated: “Australian Public Service agencies are accountable to the general public through the Parliament as well as to the Government. The success [...]