USQ Art Collection
The USQ Art Collection has been developed to provide a permanent collection of high quality contemporary Australian art works to contribute to the educational enterprise of the University and the cultural experiences of its members and those of the wider community. The collection policy has been focused to represent emerging and established art practitioners from contemporary Queensland-based art, especially works by young artists along with those of prominent mid-career artists who are regarded as having continuing importance in contemporary Australian art. The collection numbers more than 550 items comprising works-on-paper, painting, sculpture, photography, drawing, textiles, mixed media and ceramics.
'A guilt that burns unending' by Fiona Fell |
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'Swarm II 1998' by Rosalia Gascoine |
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'The Selector 1992' by Gordon Bennett |
Genesis
The USQ Art Collection originated with Darling Downs Unilink (formerly the Darling Downs Association for Advanced Education) which acquired works from artists who taught at the McGregor Summer and Winter Schools between 1978 and 1991. Unilink fundraised for the University through art union tickets and other arts events. During this time, Darling Downs Unilink raised enough funds to acquire roughly 65 works of cultural interest. In 1995 the Darling Downs Unilink planned to transfer works in their collection to the University of Southern Queensland to offset a substantial debt that Unilink owed to the University. In 1996 the Darling Downs Unilink collection went to public auction and the University of Southern Queensland tendered for 15 works which were acquired in November 1996.
Management
Responsibility for the USQ Art Collection was given to the Arts Faculty in about 1999 with Visual Arts academic staff being assigned curatorial responsibility on a part-time basis. In 2008 the University assumed funding responsibility for the collection, with curatorial responsibility transferring from academic to general staff. Although the collection is owned (and insured) by the University of Southern Queensland, day-to-day management responsibility remains with the Faculty of Arts, acquisitions - and disposals - being currently assessed via the Artsworx Management Committee.
Loans
Elements of the collection are currently exhibited throughout the University's several campuses. Application can normally be made to borrow and exhibit USQ Art Collection items on a renewable loan basis. Loans will normally be assessed by the Curator, having regard to a range of environmental (viz. temperature, relative humidity and light levels), commercial and security considerations.
Please note however that the Arts Faculty is currently recruiting to fill this Curatorial vacancy. As a consequence we are unable to process loan requests until this appointment has been finalised.
Enquiries
Mark Clayton, Arts Faculty Manager, Q310 (Ph: 07-46311096).