Public Art Galleries Public Art Galleries are so-called because: 1. They are run for the public good 2. Are funded out of the public purse – your parent’s rates and taxation
Why have Public Art Galleries? Non-income producing enterprises like a gallery were set up in our society because our elected leaders considered that exposure to the arts and culture would lead to a better, more informed and more civilized society.
Hamilton Art Gallery Hamilton Art Gallery is run by the Shire of Southern Grampians with support from Arts Victoria to enable people within the Shire to see and experience art that they might otherwise not have access to.
By using public money this way our lives are made richer and more interesting and we add to the livability of the Shire
Functions A public gallery is set up to display work not to sell work What other types of Gallery are there
Public galleries were set up to collect, exhibit, preserve and interpret art that eventually necessitated specialist staff to carry out these functions What staff are required
Other types of Galleries - 1 Artist Run Spaces are galleries set up and run by a group of artists to exhibit their work and that of their friends* Exhibition Spaces are set up to exhibit art but not to form art collections e.g. Australian Centre for Contemporary Art (ACCA)* * usually at least part-publicly funded or subsidised
Other types of Galleries - 2 Commercial Art Galleries are galleries set up to sell art but art can also be viewed there Auction Houses – art can also be viewed but its is there to be sold by auction Websites – art can be viewed on the web in an on-line gallery or on some website a virtual gallery can be created by selecting your favourite works and making an exhibition of them
Watch this space!!! You can also access art: In public spaces e.g botanic gardens, at a roundabout? In corporate spaces At Art Fairs and Festivals In shop-fronts
‘Nucleus’ by Phil Price, Accession no. 2013.080
Staff – the Curator The Curator cares for the collection and selects the artworks for exhibition: Around a theme or artist – e.g Works by Women Artists, Landscapes of Western Victoria or Prints by Wayne Viney and so on Or by medium such as KakiemonPorcelain or Etchings by William Hogarth Or by period such as Prints from the 1970s or Art Deco Silver.
Once the selection is made the items are researched and written up. A catalogue is then published using the Curators research.
Philip Wolfhagen Australia (b.1963) The Thirteenth Journey 2013 Oil and besswax on linen Purchased by the Hamilton Art Gallery Trust Fund to celebrate their 50th anniversary 2013.079
Staff – the Curator In larger Galleries the Curator also recommends what is to be added to the collection. This requires knowledge of what is already in the collection, an awareness of what is available in the marketplace and its value. This recommendation usually then goes to the Director or Board of Trustees who make the final decision.
Charger with Japanese Map Design c.1840 Porcelain with under-glaze blue decoration Arita, Japan Acquired by the Hamilton Art Gallery Trust Fund 2014.096
Staff - Conservator Oversees the maintenance of the collection Storage conditions, temperature of the building, functional light levels Significance of Preservation vs Conservation Essays » To see a world in a grain of sand: a closer look at the ‘Melbourne Blakes’
Christian Waller (neĂŠ Yandell) Australia (1894-1954) Mt Macedon c.1915 Oil on hessian Gift of Alexander Campbell Coe of Penshurst 2013.123
Other staff Designer/ Exhibitions Officer Market/Promotions Officer Education Officer Maintenance Officer Publications Officer