August 12, 2015
The Kingaroy Art Gallery began a new stage of its long life on Wednesday when control of its day-to-day operations was officially transferred from the South Burnett Regional Council to the Kingaroy Arts Team Inc (KAT).
Under the arrangement, which began on August 1, KAT volunteers will run the gallery along similar lines to the Wondai Regional Art Gallery – the Council will maintain the building and retain ownership of it, and KAT members will run the gallery for the community on a day to day basis.
The official hand-over was carried out at a morning tea held at the Gallery on Wednesday attended by Mayor Wayne Kratzmann and Deputy Mayor Keith Campbell, along with KAT executives, members and invited guests.
The move is the culmination of almost nine months’ negotiations between KAT and the Council, and will initially be for a three year trial period.
Until now, South Burnett Regional Council staff and Visitor Information Centre volunteers have run the facility, which is the oldest continuously operated public art gallery in the region.
Today Mayor Wayne Kratzmann said he thought the change would unlock the gallery’s potential to become a great resource for the region’s artists and craftworkers, and congratulated KAT’s 61 members on their initiative.
“I think the Kingaroy Art Gallery can only blossom under their stewardship,” the Mayor said.
“I have no doubt it will be a big success.”
Cr Campbell echoed the Mayor’s sentiments.
“KAT’s membership is made up of many of our region’s best artists and crafts people, along with other people who have a demonstrated and long-standing interest in the arts,” he said.
“I believe this group will take the Gallery to new heights, and I look forward to seeing some excellent exhibitions here in the future.”
Over the last ten days the group has expanded the Gallery’s former one-room gift shop to three rooms, and added a new window on the entry ramp side to admit extra light into the building.
They have also announced their intention to hold training workshops and talks as part of the Gallery’s regular operations, as well as continue a monthly exhibition schedule.
To celebrate the change-over, KAT members have also mounted a special exhibition in the Gallery for the remainder of the month called “Our Favourite Things”.
All works in this unique exhibition are owned by KAT members and have never been hung in a local gallery before.
All the artists shown are from outside the region, and some of them also have works hanging in State and national art galleries.
- “Our Favourite Things” will remain on display from 10:00am to 4:00pm Mondays to Fridays and 10:00am to 2:00pm on weekends and public holidays until Monday, August 31. Admission to view it is free.
