to a copy of the 2011 KickArts Annual Report

KickArts Con t e m p o r a r y A r t s
96 Abbot t St re e t Ca ir ns Qld
Australia 4870
Ph: + 6 1 7 4 0 5 0 9 4 9 4
w w w.k ic k a r ts . org. a u
ANNUAL
REPORT
2011
Thank you to our artists, crafts people and creative contributors
3 GIRLS + a goat, A Common Thread by Maree GRENFELL, Adam COUTTS, Adrian KING, Adrian WOLF, Alick
TIPOTI, Alison MURRAY, Amy LOOGATHA, Anna HOLAN, Arone MEEKS, Barbara DOVER, Bess MUHLSTOCK, Betty
ANDY, Betty YARRACK, Beverley ESCOTT, Bianca BEETSON, Billy MISSI, Black Ink Press, Blossom Creations,
Bonemap, Brian ROBINSON, Brian UNDERWOOD, Brooke JOHNSTON, Buck RICHARDSON, Carl FOURMILE,
Carolyn CRAIG, Carly CLARKE-RUSHTON, Caroline MUDGE, Charlotte BEERON, Cheryl ACCOOM, Chinky
Monkey by Danielle WILSON, Chris KENNEDY, Claudine MARZIK, Craig KOOMEETA, Craig WALSH, Creative
Cowboy Films, Daniel BEERON, Daniel WALLWORK, Daphne DE JERSEY, Darryl WILLIAMS, Debbie ELDEMIRE,
Debra MURRAY, Denise FRUIT, Dolly LOOGATHA, Doris KINJUN, Doris NED, Dorita ESCOTT, Dottie HOBSON, Ed
KOUMANS, Eddie KEPPLE, Edna AMBRYM, Eileen TEP, Elizabeth DUNN, Elizabeth ‘Queenie’ GIBLET, Ella-Rose
SAVAGE, Ellen ROUGHSEY, Elly OAK, Elsie GABORI, Emily EVANS, Emily MURRAY, Emma GELA, Erub Erwer
Meta Art Centre, Esther LUDWIG, Ethel THOMAS, Eugene CARCHESIO, Evan GUERRA, Evelyn OMEENYO, Fany
SAUMURE, Florence Mabel GUTCHEN, Franklin MYE, Gabi STURMAN, Geoff DIXON, Gerald FOURMILE, Gerhard
HILLMAN, Gilbert JACK, Gill BROOKS, Gillian WALLACE, Girringun Aboriginal Arts Centre, Gordon HOOKEY,
Gordon WATT, Grace REID, Haasch, Hannah PARKER, Heather KEIKO, Helen LUNA, Helen NICHOLSON, Helen
SMYTH, Hello Handmade, Höglund Art Glass, Independence Studios, India COLLINS, Irene NAMOK, Jack
WILKIE-JANS, Jandy PANNELL, Janelle WILLIAMS, Janina MARSHALL, Jennifer HERD, Jess JONES, Jessie HALL,
Jenny VALMADRE, Jimmy Kenny THAIDAY, Joel SAM, Joey LAIFOO, John MURRAY, John PULE, John WILLIAMS,
Joseph WATT, Josiah OMEENYO, Justine AUSTEN, Kapua George GUTCHEN, Kapua GUTCHEN Jnr, Karen CHONG,
Kazuyo KASHIWAGI, Keith ARMSTRONG, Kenji URANISHI, Kim RAYNER, Kitty Fisher, Kristin TENNYSON, Kylie
JOHNSON - Paper Boat Press, Lauren CARNEY, Laurie NILSEN, Lawrence OMEENYO, Leila HAQ, Lenore
HOWARD, Leroy PLATT, Liana KABEL, Lillian FOURMILE, Little Building Co., Lockhart River Art Centre, Love
Lucy Jewellery by Lucy DE VRIES, Luma bands by Stephanie DONIGI, Lydia PARRY, Lyn BATES, Lyndon DAVIES,
Madge BOWEN, Magabala Books, Margaret GENEVER, Margaret HILLS, Margaret MARA, Mari HIRATA, Maria
BUTCHER, Marina CIVIERO, Marisa MOLIN, Mark MISIC, Martin SMITH, Mary ODORCIC, Maryann BOURNE,
Maureen BEERON, McCulloch & McCulloch Books, Michael ANNING, Michelle YEATMAN, Modernmurri, Moira
MACUMBOY, Mollie BOSWORTH, Mornington Island Art, Munupi Arts and Crafts, Nancy BEERON, Nancy COWAN,
Nancy WILSON, Naomi HOBSON, Napolean OUI, Natalia MILOSZ-PIEKARSKA, Natasha FAUID, Neolithic, Nephi
DENHAM, Netta LOOGATHA, Nicholas MILLS, Nina DAWSON, Ninney MURRAY, Njrami FOURMILE, Nuovo Visual
Concepts, Patrick BUTCHER, Patrick LEVI, Paul MACHNIK, Paula PAUL, Peter THOMPSON, Philomena YEATMAN
Jnr, Philomena YEATMAN Snr, Pocket Carnival, Polli, Poppies for Grace, Princess C Lady J and the Upper
Crust, Racy OUI-PITT, Raymond HARRIS, Rebecca Claire EDWARDS, Rebecca YOUDELL, Reggie ROBERTSON,
Renee WILSON, Rhonda CAMPBELL, Richard BELL, Ricky BERESFORD, Ripple Iron, Robert HOLROYD, Robyn
BAKER, Robyn WHYTE, Ron McBURNIE, Roy McIVOR, Roz Fenson Design, Ruben AMBRYM, Russell LEONARD,
Russell MILLEDGE, Sally GABORI, Sally MARONEY, Sally MURRAY, Sammy CLARMONT, Samuel TUPOU, Sangit
TAFELMAIER, Scholastic Australia, Sean DAVEY, Sedey STEPHENS, Seith FOURMILE, Shanoah SHEPHERD,
Sharon MUIR, Shireen TALIBUDEEN, Silas HOBSON, Silverscreen Pictures, Stephanie TOBY, Sue McFARLAND,
Sue RYAN, Susan FRISCH, Susan STEWART, Susie SERLETO, Sweeny Damoy THAIDAY, Sweet Graphics, Szilvia
GYORGY, Taicee PEARSON, Terence NEWMAN, The Grassy Garden, Thelma BURKE, Theresa BEERON, Tommy
PAU, Tony ALBERT, Tuulikki Titine by Hedy VERHULST, Valmai AMBRYM, Vanessa R WILLIAMS, Vernon AH KEE,
Victoria MASON, Wild Child Wheely Bugs, Yarrabah Art Centre, Yuki HORIKI, Zane SAUNDERS, Zoe DE JERSEY
Contents
1 Chair’s Report p 2
2 Director’s Report p 4
3 KickArts Program Review p 7
4 Djumbunji Press Program Review p 18
5 Marketing Report p 26
6 Statistical Report p 28
7 Supporters p 30
8 Organisation Structure p 31
9 Financial Report p 38
Bobbie RUBEN, Boom Sherrin, Brian TUCKER, Cairns Airport, Cairns Festival, Cairns Regional Council,
Cairns School of Distance Education, Cairns Indigenous Art Fair, Centre of Contemporary Arts, Deborah
HELLEWELL, Dulux, Editions Tremblay, End Credits Film Club, Emily BROOKING, Ergon Energy, Highscan,
Ivy Florist, Jesse KUCH, Jessica NEWMAN, Jim TRAYNOR, JUTE Theatre, Kerry-Ann COLLINS, Lisa PENROSEHERBERT Optometrist (Laubman and Pank), Lotsa Print Design Web, Mama Coco, M&GSQ, Neville REYS,
Nomad Gallery, Northern Peninsula Area Regional Council, NPA Mensheds, Pack & Send, Peninsula Art
Educators Association, QantasLINK, Queensland Art Gallery/Gallery of Modern Art, Queensland University
of Technology, REACH Biru Biru, Robina COSSER, Room40 & IMA, Rose RIGLEY, Russell SYMONS, Sam
CREYTON, Segue Art, Smarter Mortgage Solutions, Tali Gallery, Som TAMANG, Tandanya National Aboriginal
Cultural Institute, Tanks Arts Centre, The Art Barn, The Picture Framer, TNQITAFE: Bamaga campus
and Cairns campus, Trinity Bay State High School, UAP, Yarrabah High School, Youth Arts Queensland
Cover image:
Joel SAM, Marrkai gub (Cyclone Yasi) 2011 (detail). Photo: Kerry Trapnell. Image adapted with the artist’s permission.
Top gallery image: Robyn BAKER, Barbara DOVER and Anna HOLAN, The Black Pram Project 2011. Photo: Michael MARZIK
Bottom gallery image: Kristin TENNYSON, God Queen and Country 2011. Photo: Michael MARZIK
Gordon HOOKEY, Long black shadow 2010
Thank you to our donors, sponsors, volunteers, project staff and partners
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1 Chair’s Report
To summarise an unusual year with a new director coming on
board, the past twelve months yielded a stable staff, a great result
at the 2011 Cairns Indigenous Art Fair (CIAF), firm Shop sales,
and plans for revitalised artistic and membership programs.
One significant change in our annual reporting is that, on the
advice of our auditors, the KickArts’ business unit Djumbunji Press
is included in the overall 2011 Annual Report, not documented
separately as in the past two years.
In May 2011 Jonah Jones and Associates delivered to KickArts
a Review of Djumbunji Press, which Arts Queensland had
recommended and also supported. It was generally a very
positive assessment, given the short life of the Press, with exciting
suggestions for the expansion in the future. Following this Review,
the Djumbunji Press Business Plan 2012-2015 was finalised and
endorsed by Arts Queensland.
The new Djumbunji Press Business Plan was prepared in the
light of the fact that funding enjoyed over the past three years
for start-up and operations under Backing Indigenous Arts
(BIA) 1 were not available under BIA 2. Wider funding options
and income generation for Djumbunji Press were set out in
the new Plan, and a partnership with ATSI Cultural Studies of
TNQITAFE was recommended to deliver printmaking courses to
experienced ATSI students in the professional studio environment
of Djumbunji Press, while we gained a partial income for course
delivery. Importantly the new business plan reinforced our mission
to train the next generation of serious Indigenous printmakers of
the region, and potentially state wide.
Financially, 2011 saw a strong improvement on the previous year,
which showed a $69,000 (Djumbunji Press) loss. This year, the
2011 audit reflects a $19,276 loss for KickArts, while Djumbunji
Press broke even. For Kick Arts at 31 December 2011, current
assets totalled $382,298 with unexpended grants of $317,197,
although the latter amount is larger than it might be because
of the lower than possible drawdown of funds in 2011. In fact,
Board direction to rein in expenditure throughout the year yielded
consistently responsible financial results despite the adverse
conditions of a serious economic slowdown not only in the region
but the entire state following the natural disasters of the Brisbane
floods in January and Cyclone Yasi in February 2011.
Our aim to increase Australia Council triennial funds from $40,000
to $100,000 was unfortunately unsuccessful. The result is that
we received a CPI increase only, aggregated to $48,000 per
year under the Visual Arts and Craft Strategy (VACS). Meanwhile,
triennial funding under our renewed agreement with Arts
Queensland was activated in 2011, with the KickArts Business
Plan 2011-2013 serving to underpin our adventurous strategies
as a Small to Medium (s2m) business, for expansion of markets,
new marketing initiatives and new partnerships.
2
Alongside attracting and responsibly managing government
funding, KickArts Contemporary Arts retained its flair for
entrepreneurial innovation that benefited artists through
boosted sales. The KickArts Shop and Shop Online showed a
gross income figure of $295,000 for retail sales including tax,
making 2011 our best year ever.
Rolled into the gross income figure are the CIAF results, and
while 2011 saw less big-ticket sales than the previous year
we turned over a much bigger volume, especially of Blak Flair
merchandise. Rounded up, we totalled $48,000 at KickArts’
Cruise Liner stand and in the Shop, $28,000, making a
grand total of $76,000. This was against the trend of most
commercial galleries at CIAF, which were well down on last
year. Our figure represented about 13% of the CIAF total.
In pursuit of new sponsors, the best efforts of the KickArts
Board and staff yielded only insignificant results in 2011
compared to previous years. A tough climate for small business
prevailed throughout the year, which led to a previous sponsor,
Boom Sherrin, withdrawing its support due to the company
closing down in Cairns.
Overseeing our Occupational Health and Safety responsibilities
was a regular feature of Directors’ meetings in 2011. Several
rectifications were undertaken at Djumbunji Press to ensure
compliance with Workplace Health and Safety Queensland.
Routine checking and updating of material safety data sheets
(MSDS) became the norm and a small building modification
also ensured staff and client safety is protected into the
future.
The KickArts Board began looking ahead to our twentieth
anniversary celebrations and encouraged an agreement
between KickArts and JUTE Theatre Company to present a
combined performance season in October 2012. This work will
reference the 20th anniversary of both companies in the form
of a new collaborative production, with visual and performing
arts intermingled.
Finally, a warm thank you to all KickArts Directors for extending
their expertise, time and good company generously. KickArts
staff and volunteers performed exceptionally well, adjusting to
a new director without missing a beat and maintaining the high
professional standard that has become the KickArts brand.
Gayleen Toll
KickArts Contemporary Arts Chair
Girringun Art Centre Artists
On the cusp of our twenty-year anniversary, 2011 saw KickArts
Contemporary Arts reach its most productive level ever in
presenting and promoting the visual art of Far North Queensland.
The KickArts Board of Directors oversaw strategic direction
and financial management of the company and shared the
rewards derived from supporting the professional and economic
development of artists’ careers. For artists overall, net financial
returns through work sold in the KickArts Shop and Online
exceeded those of previous years.
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2 Director’s Report
in December 2011, leaving 54 staff unemployed. This was a common story in the region,
which had flow-on effects for the disposable income of our audience and for securing
sponsorships. To alleviate the impact of this KickArts developed many community and
industry partnerships to support program delivery. Successful partnerships in 2011
included Cairns Festival, Tanks Art Centre, Segue Art, UAP and Cairns Port Authority,
James Cook University, the School of Distance Education, Yarrabah State School, and
NPARC and Mensheds Australia.
KickArts’ central activity in 2011 continued to be our contemporary exhibition program
presented in two A-class galleries and the Feature Wall at the Centre of Contemporary
Arts in Cairns. Our touring program comprised four interstate exhibitions appearing in
Adelaide, Darwin, Canberra and Sydney. Both our business units, Djumbunji Press Fine
Art Printmaking and the KickArts Shop, increased their turnover and output significantly.
The year was characterised by consolidating the creative and business practices for
which we are respected, and by prudent financial management during the region’s most
serious economic downturn in recent memory.
Boosting our marketing and visibility, Cairns Airport was pleased to accept our approach
to showcase works from the KickArts Collection in the domestic terminal adjacent to
the Qantas Club, with five of our strongest artworks hung for a one-year loan period and
a further eight smaller works placed in the Megan Walter Lounge. Although this is not
a hire arrangement, it was a good opportunity to promote the KickArts Collection and
primarily Indigenous works for sale.
As the incoming director I faced a startling challenge within my first fortnight: Cyclone
Yasi. Fortunately our staff and assets were safe and protected. Before long we saw
an opportunity to assist Girringun artists in the badly affected town of Cardwell, by
publishing a new series of silkscreen prints through Djumbunji Press, called Gijalordi: the
Kingfisher Story. During the Gijalordi exhibition period, which launched for CIAF 2011,
sales commissions on these works were waived in support of the artists. We continue to
tour and sell the successful Gijalordi series through the KickArts Shop.
Our exhibition program was greatly enriched by the public programming made possible
by an s2m funding extension, offering audiences deeper engagement with artists and
contemporary art through hands-on workshops, artists’ talks, curators’ talks, and video
and online content. ArtBABIES was an exiting initiative inviting infants, aged 18 months
to four years, and their parents, to join workshops designed to enhance engagement
with our exhibitions. ArtBABIES sessions were held monthly from March onwards and
were generally sold out once word of the program spread..
Staff changes saw associate director Sam Creyton move on and intern, Kylie Burke,
settle into a four-day per week curator position by September. Sam however, re-joined us
on a short contract in July to present the CIAF show, The Black See by the proppaNOW
collective, which generated spirited comments, particularly at the Symposium held on
20 August 2011.
Further snapshots of 2011 include a strong new relationship with Yarrabah High School
through Djumbunji Press, delivering workshops under Arts Queensland’s AIR program,
while we hosted two long-term residencies with local artists Kristin Tennyson and Brian
Robinson working in the KickArts studio and at Djumbunji Press respectively. In July
2011 funding was confirmed for an international residency program through Perpetual
Trustees and the remainder of 2011 was devoted to selecting participating artist
residents for 2012, organising travel, hosts and accommodation and securing further
project funding.
Michael McKim left KickArts after a successful 14-month term as program officer
(including the main role of exhibition installer) and this role was taken on part-time by
shop supervisor, Caitlin Donigi, who shared the retail position with new recruit, Hedy
Verhulst.
To strengthen the profiles of KickArts and Djumbunji Press, the services of a publicist
were identified. Previous marketing manager, Jan Aird, fortunately re-joined us one
day per week with a specific brief to boost our national visibility during CIAF. Jan also
reconsidered our existing membership program, Insiders, and produced an action plan
for revitalising the purpose of our membership and its benefits.
At the regional level the loss of three Creative Greats caused sombre reflection; with the
deaths of Tom Risley, Thapich Gloria Fletcher and Diane Cilento, Far North Queensland
lost three of its most influential and accomplished senior practitioners. While we support
young and emerging artists we do well to reflect on the wonderful contribution made by
these wise and generous artists.
General Manager Beverley Mitchell embarked on a three-week research trip in June
2011, based at the Fonderie Darling in Montreal, a former foundry converted to an
exciting international art space. Beverley examined how this organisation’s longestablished Artist in Residence (AIR) program works, with a view to basing some of
our future residencies in the international arena. She tabled a report for Board Directors
to consider our Immigration obligations, given our strategic aims embrace further
international exchanges. Beverley’s trip was financed entirely through a Travelling
Fellowship awarded by Museums & Galleries Services Queensland.
Furthermore, a major funding bid through the NACIS (now IVAIS) program in 2011 was
unsuccessful as all Queensland funds were allocated to organisations directly affected
by the natural disasters of early 2011. Cyclone Yasi and the Queensland floods had
only a temporary effect on our visitor numbers, however. Visitors through the door (as
opposed to exhibition attendances) dropped by 1,000 for the first quarter compared to
2010, but our end of year actuals remained 1,000 visitors short on our yearly estimate.
Ingrid Hoffmann
KickArts Contemporary Arts Director
Eugene CARCHESIO, Untitled (detail) 2010
A major observation during our 2011 programming was the continuing difficulties faced
by the Cairns economy and the flow-on effects. While the KickArts Shop had its best
ever year for sales, trade was in more frequent sales at lower price points. Exhibition
sales were down, as were sales of high-end prints and paintings: people still wanted
to purchase art, but bought more inexpensive works. As an antidote to the difficulties
in securing higher-priced artwork sales, we provided opportunities for artists to earn
an income through workshop facilitation, artist talks, public art commissions and our
artist in residence programs. We also observed the recent wholesale exodus of young
emerging artists from the region to the more economically-secure southern capitals, the
impact of which will be felt in coming years.
The highest reward for me in my new role was to be drawn immediately into the committed
teamwork that is KickArts’ hallmark. I was privileged indeed to enter the positive space
created by each of our Board of Directors and every member of staff. I pay tribute to the
generosity and talent of those professionals who shaped the organisation over 19 years,
to arrive at our vibrant place in Australia’s contemporary art scene.
Sponsorship and donations were also more difficult to secure in 2011, with no new
sponsors committing for the year. Our longstanding in-kind sponsor, Boom Sherrin,
provider of free scissor-lift hire for many years, closed down their entire Cairns operations
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3 KickArts Program Review
3.1. Membership
The KickArts Membership program was reconsidered and reviewed in late 2011. Our
new offer means a KickArts Member engages with stimulating contemporary culture
locally and nationally, keeping up to date with the KickArts exhibition program, artist
talks, workshops and other creative opportunities arising. Further, Membership offers a
fabulous opportunity to mix with a dynamic group of contemporary art supporters and
celebrate our abundant talent in Far North Queensland.
In keeping with a 2010 recommendation, the annual Insiders exhibition was discontinued
and alternative opportunities for Artist members were developed for 2012. Subscribers
are now simply called KickArts Members and the new schedule of benefits include:
• Invitations to KickArts exhibition openings, artist talks and exclusive events
• 10% discount at the KickArts Shop, with the exception of works on paper, canvas
and sculpture, in compliance with NAVA guidelines
• An invitation to apply to the annual KickArts Curator’s Choice Members’ Exhibition
• 1 Free ticket to the KickArts annual Members’ Party
• A special group discount price of $25 per person to every production in the JUTE
2012 Season
• 2 for 1 deals on select CoCA (Centre of Contemporary Art) productions
• End Credits members’ price of $10 to all End Credits screenings at CoCA
• 10% discount at Art and Office (formerly Cairns Drawing Supplies)
• 10% discount at The Picture Framer
• Access to the members’ lounges at the Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of
Modern Art, Brisbane.
Robyn BAKER, Brotherly love 2011
In the digital age where social media is omnipresent, Facebook has transformed not
only our marketing opportunities but also our ability to communicate intantaneously
with Members. Over the last 12 months, our social media usage increased significantly,
thus boosting interaction with our Members and, anecdotally, their satisfaction with
KickArts.
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From left: Lenore HOWARD, Jessie HALL, Brian ROBINSON, Sue RYAN, Ed KOUMANS, Joel SAM, Robyn BAKER, Josiah OMEENYO, Tuulikki Titine
3.2. Curator’s report
Of the 28 exhibitions KickArts presented in 2011, four were touring and three were located offsite. Summarised below are the 21
shows that appeared in our spaces at the Centre of Contemporary Arts.
3.2.1. Artist Feature Wall
Sting In The Tail
Recent prints produced in workshops at Djumbunji Press
Geoff Dixon, Lenore Howard, Elizabeth Dunn, Samuel Tupou, Kristin Tennyson and Jessie Hall
3 January to 18 March 2011
An exhibition of recent prints created in workshops at Djumbunji Press. The exhibition represented a diverse cross section of Cairnsbased artists and featured established and emerging artists alike.
It’s really shit but there’s an awful lot of it...
Jessie Hall
29 March to 23 April 2011
Jessie is a young artist specialising in illustrations, along with photography and installation. She enjoys drawing and writing on things,
and reading things written by other people who enjoy writing things. This exhibition comprised over 80 illustrations on paper, reading
like random pages from an artist’s diary.
Brian Robinson (new works)
Brian Robinson
3 May to 28 May 2011
A selection of prints produced during Brian’s residency at Djumbunji Press based around the sea life of the Torres Strait.
Tip Dog Diaries
Sue Ryan
7 June to 2 July 2011
Inspired by her time spent in Lockhart River on Cape York, Tip Dog Diaries was a new series of monoprints by Sue Ryan. Sue is a
Tablelands-based artist and artsworker working in a range of mediums including painting, printmaking and sculpture. She supports
Indigenous artists from the Cape and Torres Strait through the Ghostnets Australia project, facilitating promotion nationally and
internationally.
Birds, Birds and More Birds
Ed Koumans
12 July to 6 August 2011
Koumans is one of Far North Queensland’s favourite artists, delighting collectors and artists for more than two decades with his witty,
ironic and sometimes sinister figurative assemblages and paintings. In the tradition of assemblage sculpture, Koumans presented
figures constructed from everyday flotsam and jetsam. Mementos of times gone by, ethnographic fragments and discarded odds and
ends took on new life as distinctive figurative sculptures. His new paintings on paper and canvas and distinctive figurative sculptural
works, revealed the artist’s immersion in the subject matter of birds.
Cyclone Series
Joel Sam
16 August to 10 September 2011
Joel Sam’s family originated from Saibai Island. Born on Thursday Island, he currently lives in Cairns, having finished his art studies
in 2005 with a Certificate of Art from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Visual Arts Course at the Tropical North Queensland
Institute of TAFE. His recent linocut works focused on weather patterns, cycles and occurrences, along with other forces of nature.
These cycles are of a high cultural importance both in past and present days. This exhibition represented the exciting new direction
of Sam’s work.
Australiana and the Inner Life
Robyn Baker
12 October to 13 November 2011
From her Cairns base Baker has held numerous solo and group exhibitions in Queensland and interstate. Her figurative works often
deal with settler history, Australian flora, and women’s domestic and creative realms in Queensland country settings. Robyn’s new
suite of paintings on paper presented characters harbouring their unfulfilled cultural yearnings in unfamiliar environments.
Josiah Omeenyo
Josiah Omeenyo
25 October to 26 November 2011
Lockhart River artist Omeenyo presented new works on canvas which extended his distinctive and exuberant painterly style.
Precious
The 2011 KickArts Shop annual merchandising exhibition
6 December to 31 December 2011
The KickArts Shop invited Expressions of Interest from contemporary artists, designers and craftspeople for selection for the Christmas
creative merchandising exhibition. In 2011 works of art and items demonstrating a contemporary Christmas aesthetic encompassed
innovative handcrafted or designer cards, themed objects, decorative items, small works of art and contemporary gift must-haves.
The KickArts Shop’s Precious creatives included: Debra Eldemire, Elaine Godden, Ink to Please, Girringun Aboriginal Art Centre artists,
Kapua Gutchen Jnr., Tuulikki Titine, Helen Smyth, India Collins, A Common Thread by Maree Grenfell, Mary Odorcic, Szilverworks by
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From left: Kristin TENNYSON, Anna HOLAN, Mari HIRATA, New Photography 1, The Black See, Gordon HOOKEY, Kristin TENNYSON
Szilvia Gyorgy, and Victoria Mason.
3.2.2. Gallery 1
Continued from 2010: Mornington Island Painting Place
to 5 March 2011
The Black Pram Project
Anna Holan, Barbara Dover, Robyn Baker
11 March to 21 May 2011
The Deadly Sea Scrolls
Gordon Hookey
19 August to 5 November 2011
Accompanying The Black See was an exhibition featuring recent work from Gordon Hookey, Deadly See Scrolls, in the Gallery 1 Void
Space. Hookey presented an installation of large-scale oil on canvas scrolls each five metres high with his trademark iconic symbols,
bold text and spectrum of vibrant colours.
The Black Pram Project was a collaborative exhibition of installations, digital and mixed media works, probing perspectives on and
understandings of childhood and children’s lives in modern society. This exploration gave rise to particular complexities such as familial
contexts and sensitivities, and also to the darker, less rosy side of the world of children. KickArts proudly worked in partnership with
established local artists Robyn Baker, Barbara Dover and Anna Holan in the presentation of The Black Pram Project. Robyn, Barbara
and Anna are well respected, leading artists of Far North Queensland. They have contributed to the growth of contemporary art in the
region for many years.
God, Queen and Country
Kristin Tennyson
11 November to 2 January 2012
New Photography 1
Martin Smith, Mari Hirata, Sean Davey
27 May to 13 August 2011
In portraiture, narrative and assemblage, Tennyson’s animals represented country and cultural values, while human subjects held their
identity markers like trophies. Central to the exhibition was a large-scale, acrylic cut-out sculpture of a dog fight, emblematic of the
most base instincts and expressions of human inter-cultural conflict.
Divided into three spaces, Gallery 1 showcased three contemporary photographic art practitioners, demonstrating the breadth of
approaches to new photographic themes and techniques.
Martin Smith’s works spanned the intimate and trying moments of his life, without contrivance. He foregoes traditional photography,
incorporating text and collage within his images.
Canadian-born, Cairns-based painter and sculptor Kristin Tennyson presented a solo exhibition of works about country, migration,
cultural values, the trophy and cross-colonialism. Migrating from one colonial culture to another, she addressed the impacts country
of choice, country of origin and cultural heritage have on the identity of the individual.
All works in this major exhibition were completed during Tennyson’s Artist in Residency in the KickArts Studio, in the Centre of
Contemporary Arts complex.
3.2.3. Gallery 2
Japanese born Mari Hirata is a Gold Coast-based installation and photographic artist. Her practice is informed by the experience of
living on the Gold Coast, a community commonly associated with leisure, pleasure and kitsch glamour. Her acclaimed White Shoes
series was extended with new photograms.
Continued from 2010: Altered Species – Daniel Wallwork
to 29 January 2011
Sean Davey lives in Cairns and works nationally and in Papua New Guinea. His photographs are identified by a strong personal vision
and observational style. Davey presented a selection from the series Dog Food and Oysters, shot in 2004/5 and recently edited.
Digital Odyssey
Craig Walsh
4 Feb to 12 March 2011
proppaNOW – The Black See
Vernon Ah Kee, Gordon Hookey, Richard Bell, Laurie Nilsen, Tony Albert, Bianca Beetson and Jennifer Herd
19 August to 5 November 2011
The Black See was KickArts’ CIAF 2011 exhibition and featured new and controversial works from the proppaNOW Collective addressing
the Aboriginal experience of deeply embedded attitudes to race in sport. From Andrew Johns calling Queensland Indigenous star
Greg Inglis a ‘black c***’, a slur that led to Blues winger Timana Tahu walking out of a State Of Origin side, to Olympic sprinter Peter
Norman’s part in the Tommie Smith and John Carlos black power salute in Mexico City in 1968, proppaNOW took racially-charged
incidents in sport and used them as the basis for their works in The Black See.
In June 2010 Craig Walsh set up shop in the Cairns Artist Run Initiative Crate59, and asked the community to get involved in the
construction of a collaborative screen for the Cairns installment of the HOME project. Relating to what ‘a sense of home’ is, large-scale
videos of people discussing what home means to them were projected onto its surface in Gallery 2. Craig Walsh: Digital Odyssey,
A Museum of Contemporary Art Touring Project was a two-year tour and residency, which brought internationally-known Australian
artist Walsh’s distinctive artwork to locations throughout the country. For this innovative and ambitious project, Walsh travelled around
Australia developing and presenting temporary or semi-permanent large-scale public projections responding to regional history, local
stories and surrounding landscapes.
The exhibition was included in the 2011 Cairns Indigenous Art Fair program.
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From left: Craig WALSH, Eugene CARCHESIO, Keith ARMSTRONG, Girrungun Art Centre artists, Yuki HORIKI
Eugene Carchesio
Eugene Carchesio
18 March to 28 May 2011
Eugene Carchesio lives and works in Brisbane and is represented in major museums and collections throughout Australia. He has
also been included in many important exhibitions in Australia and internationally. Since the early 1980s Eugene Carchesio built a solid
reputation producing small-scale watercolours and minute sculpture. Also an accomplished musician and new media artist, in 2010
he performed at KickArts as a part of the Room40 10-year anniversary celebrations. In 2011 he returned to present a series of his
delicate works on paper that fused geometric patterns and figurative symbolism.
The Remnant (v.2)
A collaborative interactive installation by Keith Armstrong, James Muller, Leah Barclay
and Darren Pack (3D programming assistance)
3 June to 6 August 2011
The Remnant (v.2) was an art-science project focusing on rainforest and localised eco-culture. It drew on the dramatic power of
3D holographic illusion, satellite imagery, surround sound and intuitive body driven interactivity, where participants peered into a
mysterious, long tunnel of imagery whilst navigating entirely through their gentle head movements, allowing them to steer in three
dimension and also alight as a butterfly might upon a sector of landscape. The work offered an optical and intellectual challenge as the
audience re-imagined their conceptions of country and ways to better connect and sustain today’s heavily divided landscapes.
Keith Armstrong has specialised for 18 years in collaborative, hybrid, new media works with an emphasis on innovative performance
forms, site-specific electronic arts, networked interactive installations, alternative interfaces, public arts practices and art-science
collaborations. His ongoing research focuses on how scientific and philosophical ecologies can both influence and direct the design
and conception of networked, interactive media artworks.
Gijalordi: the Kingfisher Story
Girringun Aboriginal Art Centre
12 August to 29 October 2011
Girringun Aboriginal Art Centre represents Indigenous artists from the North Queensland Aboriginal people of the Nywaigi, Warrgamay,
Gugu Badhun, Warungnu, Girramay, Gulnay, Bandjin, Djiru and Jirrbal tribal groups.
Working in collaboration with Djumbunji Press Fine Art Printmaking, Girringun Art Centre artists developed a body of screen-prints in
line with their recent explorations of the local Kingfisher legend, Gijalordi. The exhibition was included in the 2011 Cairns Indigenous
Art Fair program.
Eternal Alchemy
Yuki Horiki
4 November to 14 January 2012
The ever-flowing natures of the circle and the cycle created an installation of paintings, which was greater than the sum of its parts.
Gentle pastel tones and fine line work imbued a meditative quality, reflecting the unforeseen and spiritual impetus from which the
exhibition grew. An ethereal sound-scape by Yuka Mukou complemented the exhibition, reinforcing its cyclical and reflective nature.
3.2.4. Additional program events in 2011
Monokick6 & Monokick7
IMA / Room40 Collaboration
featuring Oorutaichi, Ytamo and Miko/Celer (Monokick6) and Minamo, Fourcolor and Moskitoo (Monokick7)
9 and 30 September 2011
In September KickArts presented two free concerts at Cairns CoCA featuring Japanese electronic music artists Miko, Oorutaichi,
Ytamo, Minamo, Fourcolor and Moskitoo. This ongoing collaboration with experimental music label Room40 and the IMA, Brisbane,
is designed to introduce contemporary international sound art to the Cairns community and forge the way for future collaborations
with Australian artists.
MOVE – The Sweet Spot
Bonemap
11 to 24 April 2011
MOVE – dance tnq is a motivated panel comprising key dance practitioners who represent diverse interests and experiences within
the Dance sector, expert industry members, and key stakeholders. The MOVE series advocates this sector sustainability through
evolution, ecology and engagement. The 2011 MOVE residency series included a collaborative new media dance residency and
resultant performative installation from Bonemap featuring Rebecca Youdell and Russell Milledge. Youdell is choreographer, performer
and co-director of Bonemap along with Russell Milledge, who is also a Senior Lecturer in the School of Creative Arts and Coordinator
of the Bachelor of Creative Industries at JCU, Cairns.
One Window, One Door
18 to 21 August 2011
In association with Henrietta Fourmile Marrie and the Fourmile clan, KickArts Contemporary Arts partnered with the Cairns Indigenous
Art Fair to present One Window, One Door, a social history exhibition that honoured and celebrated the life of Queebalem Henry
Fourmile (1930 – 2010), a respected elder and leader of the Gimuy Walubara Yidinji people.
Henry Fourmile was a visionary who dedicated his life to helping others. Always involved in the social welfare of the local Indigenous
people, he offered support and advice, and advocated for those who needed help no matter the time of day or night. Raised in
Yarrabah, his work took him to Palm Island, Mareeba, Normanton, Cape York and Cairns.
One Window, One Door ran for the duration of the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair, located at the Cairns Cruise Liner Terminal, and was
generously sponsored by Ergon Energy.
Eternal Alchemy explored the infinite possibilities of circles, colour and the interconnectedness of all things. After a profound and
revelatory personal experience, the artist pared back her subject matter to one of the purest of forms – the circle. This body of work
revealed that which mattered most to Horiki, after a process of letting go of familiar themes and motifs.
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From left: ARTBABIES, Oorutaichi, ARTBABIES, Artist floor talk, Anna Holan sculpture workshop, school visit, Muddy’s Art Village
Youth Arts Queensland Regional Mentoring Program (YAQ) Starburst
Starburst is a mentoring program for young people in regional and remote Queensland who have limited access to facilities, support
and arts activities in their local communities and are looking for an opportunity to get their creative ideas off the ground. KickArts
supported three local Starburst applicants: Evan Guerra (Kuranda), Jack Jans (Cairns) and Jess Jones (Malanda). The Starburst
mentees for 2011 worked with their professional mentors through KickArts to receive feedback, handy hints, industry experience and
develop networks, as well as shape their projects for showcasing.
Cairns Creative Crawl
KickArts/CoCA
February, April, August and December
Strolling around the city’s art and lifestyle centres, galleries, restaurants and artful addresses, visitors took a closer look at the city’s
cultural identity and its living creative industries. KickArts participated as a station in all four of the Cairns Creative Crawls for 2011.
Energy Art Exhibition KickArts Curator’s Award
September 2011
KickArts proudly supports the Energy Art Exhibition by selecting the recipient of the KickArts Curator’s Award.
One student is selected by the curator at KickArts to have their work featured on the KickArts website. They are also invited to
participate in an up and coming exhibition install, working closely with, and receiving training from, industry experts at KickArts.
KickArts was proud to announce Adam Coutts from Gordonvale SHS as the recipient of the 2011 KickArts Curator’s Award.
3.3. Industry development
3.3.1. KickArts Shop report
The KickArts Shop is the first contact point for all daytime visitors to the Centre of Contemporary Arts and is a self-supporting business
unit of KickArts, operating as a commercial entity. Any profits generated by the Shop are reinvested in creative programs and improving
the services provided by the Shop. We aim for approximately 75% regional stock, with the balance made up of unique, high-quality
items of contemporary art, craft and design with an aesthetic and conceptual link to our programming.
In 2011 Shop Supervisor Caitlin Donigi continued to bring her extensive retail and life experiences to the role, having lived in locations
as disparate as Papua New Guinea, Germany, Brisbane, New York, Melbourne and Erub (in the Torres Strait), experience which set
her in good stead with our diverse client base. Caitlin’s skills were complemented by Hedy Verhulst, who took up the Shop Supervisor
position with a similar international background, along with a degree in languages and economics.
After the upgrade of the main KickArts website, it became apparent that the Online Shop software also needed an upgrade, as
the security features of the application had become obsolete. In consultation with our website designer, the KickArts Shop Online
underwent a major revamp and was re-launched in early 2011.
on the Cairns arts calendar continue to be felt long afterwards as institutional sales, wholesale orders and repeat customer purchases
are secured in the ensuing months.
Again in 2011, the KickArts Shop was full to capacity. The sustained output from Djumbunji Press, the continuation of our Blak Flair
range of merchandise and the wealth of creative talent in the Far North Queensland region have all packed the Shop to the brim and
we still aim for solutions within the CoCA building to extend the Shop’s footprint out to the front of the building and elsewhere to create
a dedicated, archival-standard print salon to enhance the retail space.
3.3.2. KickArts artist in residencies
The KickArts Studio offers artists an open, air-conditioned studio, flooded with natural light and handy to support from KickArts’ staff.
Over 2011 the space was utilised by artists to complete projects for exhibitions, develop new work, hold classes and meetings as well
as being used by touring organisations.
This space allows for experimentation and development so that artists can produce extensive bodies of work required for solo
exhibitions. Having a ‘live’ space like this allowed KickArts to make a valuable contribution towards artists’ professional development
and also created interest for visitors to the centre. Two key artists were resident in 2011.
Mid-career, Cairns-based artist Kristin Tennyson completed a 12-month residency in the KickArts Studio at CoCA upon the opening of
her exhibition God, Queen and Country in KickArts’ Gallery 1. KickArts produced a 16-page catalogue to accompany the exhibition,
which Tennyson will now use as collateral to secure exhibitions nationally. The positive critical, media and audience response to her
focus on portraiture for this exhibition has also emboldened her to enter the 2013 Archibald Prize and seek residency opportunities
outside of Cairns. Melbourne-based curator and arts writer Sue Reid travelled to Cairns to review Tennyson’s exhibition for a
forthcoming edition of Art Monthly Australia. Tennyson’s and Robinson’s residencies have enabled them to hone their practice to be
able to compete in the national art market.
Darwin-based painter Colin Holt completed a five-week residency primarily at ‘The House’ in Collins Avenue, Edge Hill, then in the
KickArts Studio, to prepare new work for his Gallery 1 exhibition, Swelter, opening in March 2012. Holt is an abstract landscape
painter of national stature and his work will bring fresh technique and inspiration to the Cairns art community, accompanied by public
program activities featuring Holt in his visual artist and musician guise.
3.4. Public programs
KickArts’ public programs focus on several key areas. These include: professional development opportunities for artists including
remote delivery workshops; audience development through encouraging students, children and families to engage with the gallery;
artists’ talks; arts enrichment through contemporary performances and film screenings; and digital engagement. The purpose of these
activities is to encourage audience growth and build understanding, awareness and participation in the contemporary arts, even if one
is not able to physically come in to the gallery. Public programming is a vital strategy for broadening public engagement in the arts and
an excellent opportunity for brokering productive partnerships with arts and non-arts organisations. National and international market
development is supported by public programs through the participation of high-profile arts identities, generating critical debate, media
interest and online engagement.
The third Cairns Indigenous Art Fair (CIAF 2011) was held in August and was again a boon to our retail sales, with our onsite stand
recording similarly high sales as the previous CIAF – that is to say, sales approximately three times higher than in ordinary months.
Exhibition sales during CIAF performed less strongly, with fine art sales at lower price points. However, the benefits of this major event
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3.4.1. Programming for children and young families
ARTBABIES is a creative arts workshop series for participants aged 18 months to
four years. The workshops were designed to help our youngest visitors engage in new
creative tasks and the KickArts Exhibition program. In the second half of 2011 we ran
five ARTBABIES classes and from the initial workshop with two participants in early
2011, attendance leapt to seven participants the following month and ARTBABIES now
regularly attracts 15 participants, which is capacity. We soon received payments from
parents for the entire 2012 workshop program. KickArts is also introducing monthly
children’s activity sheets in 2012, aimed at bringing more families to the gallery and
encouraging children to engage with artworks on a deeper level.
In August/September 2011 KickArts partnered with Cairns Festival to develop Muddy’s
Art Village, a Cairns Regional Council initiative. This was designed as a creative hub
for families to complete free arts and craft activities with a focus on using recycled
and reclaimed materials. KickArts was the key partner in developing and implementing
a number of activities, designing the logo and providing financial support for the
development of signage and uniforms. Over 3,000 people visited the Village during the
festival.
3.4.2. Student outreach
In 2011 KickArts and Djumbunji Press hosted more than 650 students from numerous
institutions including state schools, international colleges, Naval training colleges and
community groups. Over 80% of visiting groups also requested a guided tour of the
galleries and associated practical activities.
KickArts developed a High School education kit for students visiting the proppaNOW
exhibition. This kit remains available on our website. KickArts will also be developing
virtual tours of exhibitions in addition to online education kits to assist schools that
cannot visit the gallery to engage with the exhibitions and learn more about the artists
and their practice. In 2011 KickArts furthered our budding partnership with the State
Library of Queensland’s The Edge program, planning new media arts studies to be
more accessible for students in Far North Queensland by hosting workshops both in the
gallery and students’ classrooms in 2012.
Artists’ talks and workshops are key tools in engaging the public with the content and
artists presented in the KickArts Galleries. In 2011 the following were held:
• A free viewing of the ABC documentary The Art Of Bill Henson followed by a
discussion panel featuring The Black Pram Project artists. Saturday 19 March, Jute
Theatre
• Artist Forum for New Photography 1 – The artists discussed their motivations and
technical qualities of their work. 4 June, Gallery 1
• In July 25 participants attended photogram workshops with Gold Coast-based New
Photography 1 artist Mari Hirata. These workshops were completed in the dark
room at Trinity Bay State High School through a partnership with the school.
• Artist Gordon Hookey conducted a floor talk about his exhibition Deadly See Scrolls
during the CIAF Symposium. 19 August, Void Space
• As a part of the opening events for the proppaNOW exhibition The Black See,
KickArts hosted an Artists’ Forum with proppaNOW collective members Tony Albert,
Vernon Ah Kee, Bianca Beetson, Richard Bell, Gordon Hookey and Laurie Nilsen.
This forum was filmed and can be viewed on the KickArts website. 20 August, The
Space
• Celebrating the Cairns Writers’ Festival and fostering our partnership with Cairns arts
organisation Arts Nexus, KickArts hosted a Writer’s Talk with author Inez Baranay. 1
October, JUTE Theatre
• In November artists Kristin Tennyson and Yuki Horiki conducted artists’ talks and
tours of their exhibitions and Horiki assisted KickArts to develop an online virtual
tour of her exhibition.
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Artist In Residence, Kristin TENNYSON. Photo: Michael MARZIK
3.4.3. Artists’ talks and workshops
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4 Djumbunji Press Program Review
Djumbunji Press
Djumbunji Press operates as a division within the overall KickArts company structure.
With its own Business Plan, reviewed and updated in 2011, our fine art printmaking
Studio proudly built on our relationships with Arts Queensland, James Cook University,
Traditional Owners the Gimuy Yidinji people, and growing numbers of Indigenous and
non-Indigenous artists, making a successful year in terms of expanded networks and
productivity.
Djumbunji Press remains the primary wholesale outlet for distributing editions to retail
outlets nationally and internationally, thereby providing retail support to artists and
Indigenous Art Centres. The KickArts Shop and online shop are the secondary retail
outlets and chief showcases for these editions. Fine art prints were also exhibited in
major KickArts curated exhibitions designed to tour. The establishment of Djumbunji
Press has significantly increased the number of artists showcased and offers greater
opportunities to support sustainable arts practice through the sale of the artists’ work.
4.1. Professional development opportunities
Services offered ranged from collaborative, demonstration and educational workshops
for beginners to Masterclasses, an open access Studio program, licensing prints for
graphic design projects, commissioning of new works, and an Artist in Residence
program.
Post CIAF 2011, visiting Canadian Master Printmaker Paul Machnik and his collaborator
Bess Muhlstock held four free skills development workshops for artists at Djumbunji
Press. The couple were visiting Australia for Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair and CIAF to gain
an overview of Australian Indigenous artists and their work, with a view to our proposed
program of workshops and exchange between our two Studios and Northern Editions,
Darwin. Artists were taught new techniques, particularly in mono-printing and unlocking
creative barriers, benefitting enormously from Machnik’s almost 40-year international
experience as a collaborative printmaker. 17 local and visiting artists partook in these
successful workshops, interacting and exchanging ideas, and learning about the art of
another culture: the Inuit.
4.2. Collaborative workshops
In 2011 Djumbunji Press and Girringun Art Centre built on a connection established
twelve months earlier. Artists developed a new body of prints in line with their recent
explorations of the Gulnay Kingfisher legend, Gijalordi. A series of workshops in mid2011, as an arts-led recovery project for the Art Centre post-Cyclone Yasi, were
established as a means of providing practical support to the artists after many suffered
devastating losses in the wake of Severe Tropical Cyclone Yasi in February 2011.
Collaborative Printer Bobbie Ruben travelled to Cardwell to deliver screen-printing
workshops and initial images by each artist were developed collaboratively to create the
final images. This suite of 18 works represented the artists’ first foray into screen-printing
on paper. Djumbunji Press was the publisher and contracted Editions Tremblay NFP to
edition the suite of prints. The resultant exhibition, Gijalordi, explored the local Kingfisher
story relating to the formation of the Tully River.
In 2010 KickArts and Djumbunji Press staff discussed workshop possibilities with artists
and coordinators from Bamaga, and again in 2011 these plans became a reality. Senior
Printmaker Elizabeth Hunter, along with Printmaker Hannah Parker and artist Joel Sam,
travelled to the Northern Peninsula Area (NPA), encompassing Bamaga, Injinoo, Seisia,
Umagico, and New Mapoon, four times with the support of NPA Council and Mensheds
Australia. The role of Mensheds is to support the people who make things happen
and to encourage broad-thinking and innovation, and also to provide resources for
facilitation, management and implementation of projects that will meet the men’s and
community’s aspirations.
Tommy PAU, Four boys (detail) 2011
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From left: images 1 and 2: Billy Missi Linocut Workshop; Bess Muhlstock and Taicee Pearson
number of printmaking techniques including linocut, etching, collograph and mono-print and then assessed their work for academic
credit. This successful partnership will be continued in 2012.
In light of the great new partnership formed with the NPA, Djumbunji Press was proud to donate a large Manuka Press to Mensheds
in Bamaga. This press will enable artists of the NPA to create large-scale works and further improve their printmaking abilities. The
donation of this press has further cemented the partnership between the NPA and Djumbunji Press and will see Senior Printmaker
Elizabeth Hunter commencing further workshop deliveries in the region throughout 2012, with the aid of the Mensheds’ new press.
Building on a 2010 partnership the Peninsula Art Educators’ Association (PAEA) received professional development training one night
per week for four weeks. This was the third year that Djumbunji Press has provided this training to PAEA teachers. Throughout May
and June eight teachers participated in these workshops. The course was designed as an introduction to printmaking for High School
art teachers, which can then be fed into the Visual Arts curriculum and used in schools.
In September 14 students from the School of Distance Education Cairns, and two of their teachers, were given three full days of
instruction in printmaking techniques as part of their Art Studies curriculum. Students enjoyed the hands-on interactivity of this tuition
and also had the opportunity to meet and learn from a number of artists who were resident in or visiting the Studio at that time. This
is the second year running these classes have taken place and they will be conducted again in 2012.
Each year Djumbunji Press delivers a number of workshops for local artists and community members ranging from beginner to
advanced and covering a wide variety of printmaking techniques. The aim of these workshops is to create an engaging way for local
people to access the Studio, learn new skills, meet new people, discuss ideas and receive instruction from a professional Printmaker.
2011 saw four successful workshops take place.
Regional Excellence in Arts and Culture Hubs (REACH), with support from Arts Queensland, delivered a series of printmaking
workshops to year 10, 11, and 12 visual arts students in Cairns, Weipa and Thursday Island. The series of workshops, entitled the
Biru Biru Project, culminated in a three-day Masterclass in mid-September, delivered onsite at Djumbunji Press. Printmaking artists
Billy Missi and Joel Sam delivered this workshop with support from Elizabeth Hunter, Trainee Printmaker Taicee Pearson and Djumbunji
Press Studio Coordinator, Kacey Johnson. REACH and other Education Queensland staff were also in attendance to support 12
talented students who were selected from the school workshops. In the Masterclass the students experimented with linocut, etching,
and mono-print techniques and created their own small edition of prints.
Ron McBurnie Book Creation Workshop
Ron McBurnie is a Townsville-based Printmaker and James Cook University lecturer in the School of Creative Arts. His work has been
exhibited in France, Canada, the United States, and throughout Australia. Ron is well known for his etchings and creation of artist
books and this workshop covered both. All levels of participants were welcome, from beginners to practicing artists and a total of 11
participants enjoyed this exciting two-day workshop in March.
An exciting new project with Yarrabah High School commenced at the end of July: Elizabeth Hunter, Taicee Pearson, and a rotating
roster of Indigenous artists began delivering a total of 20 workshops to a group of participating art students onsite at the school
on Wednesdays. The students were excited to be learning new creative techniques and meeting a variety of local artists. Arts
Queensland’s Artist in Residence Program, in partnership with Education Queensland and the Australia Council for the Arts generously
supported the project, which spans over three school terms and will conclude with an exhibition in March 2012.
4.3. Community workshops
Billy Missi Linocut Workshop
In this Introductory Linocut Workshop Billy Missi focused on creating two images with participants, through the use of positive and
negative techniques. Billy also guided participants in the area of concept design to enhance their imagery and ideas. Senior Printmaker
Elizabeth Hunter assisted Billy with the delivery of this workshop attended by six people in June.
Throughout 2011 three different high schools visited the Studio for a tour and artist talk with resident artist Brian Robinson. Overall,
70 local high school students enjoyed a guided Studio tour and learnt about printmaking, artistic vision, professional standards, and
Studio operations and equipment.
Thirteen Curtin University students also visited and spent the day at Djumbunji Press in June as part of a class-work project.
Elizabeth Hunter Collograph Workshop
Elizabeth presented this Collograph Workshop to a group of seven participants in September, exploring the collograph printmaking
medium through conventional and introductory techniques. Participants completed their own collograph plate and printed a small
edition of their work.
4.5. Artist in residence opportunities
Brian Robinson Colour Reduction Linocut Workshop
Eight participants were engaged in this two-day workshop delivered by Cairns artist Brian Robinson in October. The participants learnt
about the colour reduction linocut process and created a small edition of their own prints.
In October 2010, senior Torres Strait Islander artist Brian Robinson began a 12-month residency to create new work and champion
the Djumbunji Press Studio. This residency allowed Robinson to focus on his practice full-time after many years curating at the Cairns
Regional Gallery. Work resulting from this residency was presented in exhibitions and art awards nationally in 2011, was booked for
Mossenson Gallery, Melbourne, in March 2012 and will be featured in men + Gods, a major solo exhibition at KickArts over the Cairns
Indigenous Art Fair 2012, expected to tour over 2013-14.
4.4. Educational workshops
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Above: Paul Machnik with workshop participants
Workshops covering the printmaking techniques of linocut, mono-print, and silkscreen were delivered to a range of community
groups including the Bamaga Mensheds, local school children, aged care groups, community health groups, and local artists. These
workshops aimed to develop the existing skills of artists and to help create a thriving, sustainable artist community in the region. The
workshops also helped to bring different community groups together, provide engaging activities for local artists and community
groups, encourage group work, and demonstrate available artistic career pathways. Overall the participant numbers for the total
workshops exceeded 230.
Providing professional development opportunities for artists is a key objective for Djumbunji Press. Through the Artist in Residence
program artists can extend their practice by learning new printmaking mediums and techniques over a continuous period in the
Studio, collaborating with Djumbunji Press professional printmaking staff.
Djumbunji Press presented a number of workshops servicing the education sector throughout 2011.
4.6. Exhibitions and CIAF 2011
In June two workshops per week were presented over three weeks as an intensive, accredited subject for 18 Bachelor of Creative
Industries students from James Cook University. The Djumbunji Press Senior Printmaker, Elizabeth Hunter, instructed students in a
As in previous years, KickArts and Djumbunji Press made an important contribution to the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair. KickArts
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curated Joel Sam’s Cyclone Series exhibition of linocut prints and
the Girrungun Art Centre exhibition of the local Kingfisher legend,
Gijalordi.
KickArts’ CIAF stand featured Blak Flair merchandise, catalogues
and small fine art prints, providing great exposure for the editions
produced in 2011 and earlier stock. Djumbunji Press edition sales
were significant, with a major contribution to the gross figure of
$76,000.
Djumbunji Press held two satellite events, Arts Queensland’s
Indigenous Artists Workshops, at the Studio in the lead up to the
Cairns Indigenous Art Fair. The workshops focused on linocut and
etching techniques on August 18 and 19 and were attended by a
total of 16 participants from all over Queensland. During the second
workshop a group of 15 Indigenous students from Yarrabah High
School visited the Studio to witness the workshop in action and
interact with the artists. Over these two days the Studio received a
total of 48 visitors.
4.7. Open access
Open Access allows participants from past Djumbunji Press
workshops and printmakers with experience to access the Studio
and print their own work. Different times and days have been trialed
and in 2011 Fridays best allowed the Studio to meet editioning
deadlines as well as assist participants. Participants provide their
own paper, inks, and plates or blocks, and pay a small hourly access
fee to use the Studio’s state-of-the art facilities.
4.8. Staff training
Djarragun College Year 12 student Taicee Pearson began a schoolbased traineeship with Djumbunji Press in 2011, which developed
from work experience at Djumbunji Press in late 2010.
Taicee successfully completed her year 12 studies at Djarragun in
2011 and was offered a full-time provisional traineeship at Djumbunji
Press, which is set to begin on 4 January 2012. This traineeship will
also include further training at Tropical Far North Queensland Institute
of TAFE under Certificate IV CUV40203 – Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander Cultural Arts (Visual Arts).
Senior Printmaker Elizabeth Hunter and Studio Coordinator Kacey
Johnson attended Senior First Aid courses to ensure first aid
knowledge and practices remained current in the workplace.
Impact7 was a lively event with many different keynote speakers,
presentations, folios and exhibitions to see. The conference also
coincided with the Month of Print, coordinated by Impact7 and the
Print Council of Australia, with support from Arts Victoria. Djumbunji
Press and KickArts Contemporary Arts both celebrated the Month
of Print (September) through a successful printmaking program that
included: From the Rainforest to the Sea: Printmaking in Yarrabah;
Regional Excellence in Arts and Culture Hubs (REACH) Biru Biru
Masterclass Workshop with Billy Missi, Joel Sam, and Elizabeth
Hunter; Collograph Workshop with Elizabeth Hunter; Distance
Education workshops delivered by Elizabeth Hunter; Joel Sam,
Cyclone Series exhibition 12 August–11 September; and Girrungun
Art Centre, Gijalordi: the Kingfisher Story exhibition 12 August–29
October.
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Grace Reid, Gijalordi ninanyanyu (detail) 2011
In September Elizabeth and Kacey also attended the Impact7
International multi-disciplinary printmaking conference at Monash
University in Melbourne, with support from the Regional Arts Fund’s
Regional Quick Response Grant scheme, administered through the
Queensland Arts Council.
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4.9. Printmaking prize entries
A part of Djumbunji Press’s role in publishing fine art prints for artists is
to enter their work in appropriate printmaking prizes. An abundance of
these are offered across Australia and a number of our published works
were acquired by collecting institutions as a result of our support.
Brian Robinson saw a successful year with three works listed as finalists
in printmaking competitions. Sa mina las kaikai was a finalist in the 28th
Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Award, from
August to October 2011 at the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern
Territory, Darwin. As the rains fell and the seas rose was a finalist in the
60th Annual Blake Prize in September/October 2011 at the National
Art School Gallery in Darlinghurst, New South Wales, and then was
part of the touring exhibition.
Handline, Ngurupai wharf was on show at the Fremantle Arts Centre,
Western Australia, as a finalist in the Fremantle Arts Centre Print Award,
September to November 2011.
Joel Sam’s print Marrkai gub (Cyclone Anthony) was a finalist in the
Geelong Acquisitive Print Awards. This exhibition ran from September
to November 2011 at the Geelong Gallery, Geelong, Victoria.
4.10. Touring
July to October 2011 – works from Billy Missi: Urapun Kai Buai were
presented as part of QAG/GoMA’s Land, Sea and Sky: Contemporary
Art of the Torres Strait exhibition, along with other significant works from
the KickArts Collection. This was the final venue in a 10-exhibition tour
for Missi’s works. Thousands of visitors flocked to QAG/GoMA’s major
survey exhibition to learn about this important art movement. KickArts
has invested heavily in the development, storage and presentation of
our Collection and is proud to be able to promote awareness of Torres
Strait Islander printmaking amongst the wider Australian community.
December 2011 to January 2012 – Girringun Art Centre, Gijalordi: the
Kingfisher Story was presented as the summer feature exhibition at Tali
Gallery, Rozelle, in Sydney. This exciting and life-affirming exhibition,
developed by Djumbunji Press as an arts-led recovery project for
Girringun Art Centre in the wake of Cyclone Yasi, is an ideal touring
exhibition of compact, affordable screenprints. This exhibition promotes
the talent, resilience and cultural heritage of the Indigenous artists of
the Cardwell region.
4.11. Publishing
In 201157 new prints were selected for publishing and were subsequently
editioned. Of these new editions five were etchings, 34 were linocuts
and 18 were screenprints. 16 new artists were added to Djumbunji
Press’s publishing list and their works are now being promoted and sold
via KickArts Contemporary Arts. Artist in Residence, Brian Robinson,
created 26 of the new editions published. Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander artists created all bar three of the editions published by
Djumbunji Press in 2011, with the remaining three editions created by
former international artist in residence, John Pule (Niue/NZ).
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Brian ROBINSON, As the rains fell and the seas rose (detail) 2011
August/September 2011 – New Works from Djumbunji Press
showcased fine art prints by Brian Robinson, Billy Missi and Joel
Sam at Nomad Gallery, Darwin, over Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair, and
at Nomad Gallery, Canberra. Each venue presented discrete suites of
work, curated by KickArts staff. As KickArts is unable to present work
at Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair ourselves due to heavy commitments
over the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair held the following weekend, it was
wonderful to have the opportunity to partner with Nomad and present
the artists with whom we work so closely at this landmark industry
event.
5 Marketing Report
Integration of marketing efforts was a key focus for 2011. Print
media, online advertising, social media and the KickArts website
were tied in together where possible to improve traceability of our
marketing spend (both online and print), as well as to enhance the
quality of information conveyed to the public by allowing instant
access to rich media.
Building upon our e-newsletter subscriber list, Facebook friends
and website visitors allowed us to open an ongoing, real-time
and often two-way dialogue with our audience. Our e-newsletter
subscriber list reached more than 700 unique contacts and our
Facebook friends surpassed 800.
The KickArts website continued to attract more visitors. Comparing
the third quarter of 2011 with the third quarter of 2010, the KickArts
website enjoyed a 24% increase in visitors (6,675 vs. 5,390) while
number of page views increased by 160% (37,417 vs. 14,355).
This is due to the increase in visitors as well as an increase in the
average number of pages viewed per visit.
In order to continue building national awareness of KickArts as a
professional contemporary arts organisation, a continued, highly
targeted presence was maintained in key arts publications (via
paid advertising) throughout 2011. These publications included:
Australian Art Collector, Australian Art Collector (Gallery Guide),
Art Monthly Australia, Art Guide Australia, Australian Art Review,
Art Almanac, McCulloch’s Indigenous Diary, Artist Profile and
McCulloch’s Australian Art Diary.
Supplementing the above print media presence, an increased
presence was gained nationally via online avenues. Regular
event listings and (where possible) editorial were gained on
EntertainmentCairns.com, Yellow Pages Online, Artwhatson.com,
Art Guide Australia, Eyeline Contemporary Art online and Australian
Art Collector Online.
Locally, KickArts continued to build awareness of our brands and
drew an increasingly diverse audience from the local population
through its strong relationship with the Cairns Post. In 2011
KickArts was featured in 60+ instances of either paid advertising
or free editorial. Included amongst the editorial were several feature
pieces that ran at key times in support of specific exhibitions.
Keith ARMSTRONG, The Remnant (v.2) 2011
Another key local initiative was the distribution of posters and
DL invitations to 40 restaurants, cafes and bulletin boards in the
Cairns region. This gave us extremely cost-effective exposure to
the general public via a separate medium that hasn’t previously
been utilised.
26
27
6 Statistical Report
Each year under KickArts’ s2m triennial funding agreement with Arts Queensland, we are asked to report against our key performance
indicators, as set out below.
2011 TARGET
2011 ACTUAL
2012 ESTIMATE
Quantitative
Number of new collaborations with industry to deliver
creative outcomes for artists
4
12
6
Undertake a
minimum of 2
collaborations to
deliver outcomes
7
Undertake a minimum
of 2 collaborations to
deliver outcomes
INDICATOR 1: EXHIBITION PROGRAMMING
2011 TARGET
2011 ACTUAL
2012 ESTIMATE
Quantitative
Number of high quality exhibitions per annum
22
21 in house
3 offsite in Cairns
4 interstate touring
22
Qualitative
Evidence of collaboration with government and
business
Number of international touring exhibitions
0
0
1
GOVERNANCE
Number of Queensland artists presented
40
65
43
No.
Number of national artists presented
6
1
8
Does the Grantee need to supply evidence of any
change to the Grantee’s current legal status?
Number of international artists presented
0
8
2
No issues to resolve.
Qualitative
Evidence of favourable audience response to artistic
quality of exhibitions and public programs
75% of audience
satisfaction surveys
rate the artistic merit
of exhibitions as very
good or higher
80-85% of feedback
on artistic program
was highly favourable
80% of audience
satisfaction surveys
rate the artistic merit
of exhibitions as very
good or higher
How has the Grantee resolved any issues that may
have been raised in its audited annual financial
statements?
What evaluation tools have been used and how have
they informed and improved the Grantee’s business
operations?
In January 2011 KickArts employed a new Director who reviewed and
amended strategic plans and budgets in line with the more difficult
economic circumstances Cairns was experiencing and continues to
experience.
INDICATOR 2: REGIONAL ENGAGEMENT
2011 TARGET
2011 ACTUAL
2012 ESTIMATE
Quantitative
Number of audience attendance at exhibitions
15,000
14,154
16,000
Number of exhibition programming opportunities for
artist/audience interaction
10
19
20
Qualitative
Evidence of greater use of website
10% increase in
website traffic
73.5% increase in
website traffic
10% increase in
website traffic
INDICATOR 3: FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY
2011 TARGET
2011 ACTUAL
2012 ESTIMATE
Quantitative
Ratio of AQ funding (as a percentage of total income)
(2010 estimates show 26%)
25%
25%
25%
Increase annual sales income
15%
20%
20%
No new sponsors
secured. Past
sponsors were
retained; Board
developed a
sponsorship
subcommittee;
extensive personal
approaches were
made to potential
sponsors by Director
and Publicist; in-kind
support was secured.
4 new sponsors with
the financial value of
$15,000
Qualitative
3 new sponsors with
Evidence of organisational commitment to increase the the financial value of
number of sponsors
$10,000
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INDICATOR 5: BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
In March through April Jonah Jones was engaged to conduct a review
of Djumbunji Press operations, which informed a new strategic and
business plan for the business unit and renewed funding pitches for
continued operations post-BIA1.
What evaluation tools have been used and how have
they informed and improved the Grantee’s product
and service standards?
Feedback forms are obtained from exhibiting artists, touring venues
and workshop participants, and results used to tailor ensuing
programming.
Upgraded website capabilities now include Google Analytics and
other evaluation and monitoring tools to assess website users’ areas
of interest. Our Facebook profile allows for direct feedback from
audience.
KickArts Shop sales are reviewed monthly to evaluate customer
interest in product categories and price points and determine
marketing priorities.
Visitor books are kept at the entrance to both Galleries 1 and 2 to
allow for spontaneous audience feedback on exhibitions.
How has the annual review of the Grantee’s business
or program plan resulted in improved organisational
capacity including income generation, marketing, risk
management and succession strategies?
A succession plan was in place, which enabled us to transition well
upon the resignation of our outgoing Director in January 2011.
All staff Position Descriptions are reviewed and updated annually to
accurately reflect staff duties, ambitions and skills.
Staff restructures and training have increased support for exhibition
and shop programs.
KickArts cross-links staff duties to allow for retention of operational
activities if staff numbers are reduced.
INDICATOR 4: SERVICE DELIVERY
2011 TARGET
2011 ACTUAL
2012 ESTIMATE
Quantitative
Number of emerging artists participating in KickArts
program and services
15
73
20
An increased online presence through a new, more effective website,
online shop and Facebook profiles enables us to cross-market
exhibitions, artworks for sale and public programming in support of
the exhibition program.
Number of established artists participating in KickArts
program and services
13
32
15
The KickArts Constitution has staggered terms for Directors’
appointments so there is no risk of major loss of corporate knowledge.
Number of opportunities for engagement with schools
and educational institutions
22
40
22
Qualitative
Evidence that the content of KickArts programming
reflects the need and the interest of audience
75% of satisfaction
surveys rate
the quality and
usefulness of the
program as very
good or higher
80-85% of feedback
on exhibition and
public programming
was highly favourable
80% of satisfaction
surveys rate the
quality and usefulness
of the program as very
good or higher
Board sub-committees are in place for fundraising/sponsorship and
Board succession. Occupational Health and Safety is also a standing
item on the Board’s agenda.
We are seeking diversification of funding sources to minimise the
risk of relying on too few sources in an uncertain economic climate.
Philanthropic, federal, in kind and project funding sources are actively
pursued. Our Publicist has been working with the Australia Council’s
Art Support Program.
29
8 Organisation Structure
7 Supporters
8.1. Organisational Chart
Major funding partners
Arts Queensland s2m, Backing Indigenous Arts and Industry Developement Initiative
Programs; Australia Council for the Arts – Visual Arts and Crafts Strategy.
Funding partners
Perpetual Trustees, funded by the E Robert Hayles & Alison L Hayles Charitable Trust,
managed by Perpetual; Arts Queensland Artist in Residence Program; Regional Arts
Fund through the Queensland Arts Council.
KickArts
Board of Directors
Strategic and Financial Responsibility
Donors
KickArts Director
Company Management & Strategic Direction
Robina Cosser and Lisa Penrose.
Industry project partners
Arts Nexus, Bonemap, Cairns Airport, Cairns Festival, Cairns Indigenous Art Fair, Cairns
Port Authority, Cairns Regional Council, Cairns Regional Gallery, Cairns School of
Distance Education, Crate59, Creative Industries Precinct QUT, Education Queensland,
End Credits Film Club, Ergon Energy, Fourmile Family, Girringun Aboriginal Art Centre,
James Cook University Creative Industries, JUTE Theatre Company, IMA, Lockhart
River Art Gang, MCA, Milani Gallery, Mornington Island Art Centre, Museums & Gallery
Services Queensland, Nomad Gallery, Northern Peninsula Area Regional Council,
NPA Mensheds, Queensland Art Gallery/Gallery of Modern Art, Queensland Centre
for Contemporary Photography, Queensland University of Technology, Room40, Ryan
Renshaw Gallery, Segue Art, Tali Gallery, Tandanya National Aboriginal Cultural Institute,
Tanks Art Centre, Telstra Awards, Tropical North Queensland Institute of TAFE, Yarrabah
Art Centre, Yarrabah State School and Youth Arts Queensland.
General
Manager
Major sponsors
Financial
Management
Curator
Marketing
and Publicity
Program
Officer
Volunteers
KickArts
Shop Supervisor
Administrator
Senior
Printmaker
Artist In
Residence
Studio
Coordinator
Printmaker
Trainee
Piece Printer
Boom Sherrin, Ergon Energy, James Cook University, QantasLink.
Sponsors
Art Barn, Dulux, High Scan, JUTE Theatre Company, Ivy Florist, Lotsa Printing, Mama
Coco, Pack & Send, Tanks Art Centre, The Edge, The Picture Framer.
Volunteers
Ed KOUMANS, Bird painting 1/5 (detail) 2011
Edward Koumans, Emily Brooking, Jim Traynor, Som Tamang, KickArts Board of
Directors and KickArts’ friends and families.
30
31
8.2. Role of the Board and governance
Robin Maxwell – Indigenous Coordination Centre
The KickArts Board of Directors consists of up to 11 Directors all of whom bring a
wealth of experience and expertise from a broad range of professions and industries.
Constitutional requirements dictate that the Board must include Directors with legal
and financial expertise and at least three artists. It has been identified that with the
extensive inclusion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists in our program that
the Board of Directors should also have representation from these culturally diverse
groups too. The Board of Directors supports the strategic and financial operations of the
company by providing business and industry expertise and fundraising efforts. They do
not play a role in the artistic direction of the company. The Board of Directors employs
a Director who is not a member of the Board of Directors and who is delegated with the
responsibility to develop, manage and oversee the artistic programs and all operations
of the organisation. The Director reports to the Board of Directors and is answerable to
the Chair. Directives to all staff come through the Director.
As the former Manager of Gab Titui Cultural Centre and Torres Strait Tourism, Robin
has an intimate knowledge, understanding of and enthusiasm for the Torres Strait. She
also has a strong background in business, running a successful restaurant for 13 years,
operating a general store, establishing a car hire and boat charter operation along with
managing and opening a chain of men’s wear stores in Melbourne. Robin’s first role in
the Torres Strait was as Economic Development Manager with the Torres Strait Regional
Authority. In this role she developed projects empowering communities to develop
business opportunities and worked with the committed team to establish the Gab Titui
Cultural Centre on Thursday Island in the Torres Strait. Robin was also successful in
her role as Deputy Mayor of Cook Shire Council to secure major funding to refurbish
the James Cook Historical Museum and to establish what is now known as Nature’s
Powerhouse situated in the Cooktown Botanical Gardens. Robin has helped KickArts
develop relationships with artists and organisations across the Torres Strait.
8.3. KickArts Board of Directors
Gaylene Whenmouth – Secretary – Ergon Energy
Gayleen Toll – Chair – Recruitment Company Proprietor
Gaylene has a professional background in newspaper journalism and photography and
currently works as a Corporate Communications Manager for regional Queensland
electricity supplier Ergon Energy. She has always been involved in the arts either through
her own interests – mainly spinning, weaving, photography and music – or through
involvement in a variety of organisations. In her early 20s she was an establishing force
and the founding chairperson of a Community Arts Council in a rural New Zealand
community brimming with talented artists and artisans. In her current position at Ergon
Energy she has enabled sponsorship of a wide variety of local arts efforts, and was a
founder of the Ergon Energy Street Busking Festival, which hit the streets as part of
Festival Cairns in 2008 and 2009.
Gayleen is a greatly experienced and successful recruiter and business woman with
over twenty years recruitment experience in both her own business and with the world’s
largest multinational recruitment company. Her field of expertise includes placing
professional and management-level positions in international and national companies
in the USA, Melbourne, Sydney and Queensland. Gayleen started her professional life
as a Cost Analyst with what was then BHP. Her career in recruitment began in the
USA in Silicon Valley, Northern California, where she worked for the world’s largest
recruitment company and she found recruitment to be her calling in life. With her rapid
promotion to Branch Manager, her client list was impressive, including hi tech and bio
tech corporations and government. Her success is evidenced by being awarded the
national Employee of the Year and the Branch Manager of the Year for the whole of the
USA. On returning to Australia, Gayleen was asked by the parent company in the USA
to open their professional/executive recruitment division in Australia. Gayleen moved to
Cairns in 1998 and opened her own employment services business, Precruitment. Since
then Precruitment has grown to two offices located in Cairns and Townsville and is an
ISO 9001:2008 Quality Assured Company. Precruitment is North Queensland’s leading
recruitment consultancy, specialising in professional and administration recruitment and
permanent and temporary placements for both commercial and government enterprise.
Gayleen is a past President of the highly successful Cairns Business Women’s Club, a
position that she held for three years in which time the club experienced tremendous
growth and increased profile.
Kristin Tennyson – Artist
Born in Toronto, Ontario, artist Kristin Tennyson’s art practice has spanned two continents.
After obtaining her BVA in Canada, she migrated and became a citizen of Australia
where she has lived and worked in Cairns and Cape Tribulation in Far North Queensland.
Kristin has participated in many group shows throughout Australia and Canada. She has
had solo exhibitions and her exhibition, boxed bagged and tagged, held at KickArts in
2006 was a paramount success in establishing her as a major notable emerging artist.
A selection of her textile wearable art works and paintings have been represented by
several galleries in Australia and Canada such as the KickArts Shop, artisan in Brisbane
and the Young Bloods market for the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney. Kristin’s practice
evolves through textile work, painting and assemblage. Her distinctive style is evident
in her individually designed bags and paintings. Currently, Kristin is studying for her
Masters degree in fine art studio practice.
Robert Willmett – Area Manager North Queensland, DEEWR
David Goodman – Chartered Accountant
Robert possesses extensive private and public sector experience. His business
experience has involved a decade of newspaper production work with many of the
region’s newspapers. He has also worked to coordinate export development and
investment attraction initiatives to the region’s businesses. During his time at the Cairns
Port Authority, Robert worked closely with other businesses to attract more of the lucrative
Super Yacht visits to the region. As a Director at the Indigenous Coordination Centre,
Cairns, Robert worked in a complex policy environment coordinating services to a diverse
range of clients. He also worked closely with varied social service providers throughout
the region. Robert’s previous community involvement has included membership of the
TNQ Institute of TAFE Advisory Council, the Business Liaison Association and the Cairns
Sunrise Rotary Club. Robert has a real interest in ensuring the region’s artists contribute
profitably to the social and economic development of this region.
Jeneve holds a position as associate solicitor at Farrelly’s Lawyers in Cairns and is
admitted as a legal practitioner of the Supreme Court of Queensland and the High
Court of Australia. Prior to commencing legal studies Jeneve acquired varied experience
in a range of public and private sectors in North Queensland. She has an extensive
history of public service having served in a range of committee positions in community
organisations throughout the Cairns region. Jeneve has maintained an interest in the arts
generally and has a particular interest in the contemporary art of North Queensland.
32
Brian ROBINSON, Ilan bloom IV 2011
Jeneve Frizzo – Solicitor
Raised in Cairns, David undertook tertiary education at Queensland Institute of Technology
(now Queensland University of Technology — Gardens Point Campus) obtaining a
Bachelor in Business — Accountancy. His entry into the professional workforce was
with Ernst & Young Chartered Accountants in Brisbane, one of the largest firms in the
world. David’s area was audit and included local, national and international clients. At
Ernst & Young he completed his qualifications as a Chartered Accountant. David left this
firm to join what was Hall Chadwick in Cairns as their Audit Manager. Here he obtained
his qualification as a Local Government Auditor and Tax Agent. David’s interest in local
government took him to Mulgrave Shire Council as the Finance Manager and Assistant to
the Shire Clerk and whilst at the Council David undertook postgraduate study to become
a Town Clerk. Some of his assignments were published as future course material. David
left Mulgrave to commence his own accountancy practice at Smithfield in 1988, which is
focused on small business and covers all areas including: audit, taxation, accountancy,
management and corporate advice. David commenced a financial planning business in
conjunction with his practice having obtained the appropriate qualifications. The firm’s
clients are located throughout Australia and overseas.
David has served on various committees in a variety of roles including: Institute of
Chartered Accountants Student Council in Queensland, Local Government Accountants
in Queensland, Cairns/Mulgrave Rotary Club and Finance Director of Cairns Hockey
Association. He is Chairman of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Cairns Audit Committee,
Treasurer of Trinity Anglican School Board and Treasurer of Far North Queensland
Amateur Turf Club.
33
Pip Miller – Director: Pip Miller PR
8.4. KickArts personnel
Pip Miller is a Cairns-based public relations consultant who established her business,
Pip Miller PR, 17 years ago in response to the growing need for public relations expertise
by North Queensland’s business community, wishing to communicate effectively with
‘publics’ or audiences in the local, domestic and international marketplace. She is a
public relations consultant who leads a small, but well-qualified team with experience in
all aspects of marketing, however, specialises in media relations and publicity.
KickArts’ employees are a team of creative individuals who collectively pool their skills and
talents to develop and present a creative program, and to implement strategic business
opportunities. Specialised printmaking staff members are employed at Djumbunji Press
and the Studio is also supported by KickArts’ specialised staff.
The consultancy advises principally at board or partner level, where an analysis of
the public relations objectives is a natural consequence for mutual confidence and a
frank appreciation of the client’s business aims. This approach has proved particularly
suitable to North Queensland’s business community, particularly its tourism industry,
where a considered, thoughtful campaign reflects the essential integrity of the clients
concerned.
Ingrid’s career in the visual arts unfolded in four Australian states, following her original
training as a painter and teacher in Sydney. Her passion for arts development in regional
and remote parts of Australia led to her initiating two artist run spaces, several arts
training programs and many exhibition projects. With Artbank, the Federal Government’s
rental collection, Ingrid worked in Client Services (1999-2001) and then went on to run
three public galleries, each enjoying significant increases in visitor numbers and volunteer
participation. In 2005 Ingrid became Director of the new Hawkesbury Regional Gallery
and Museum in north-west Sydney and established its standing in the growing cultural
landscape of Western Sydney. Her post as Regional Manager Arts Queensland saw her
return to Cairns to lead the state government’s $10.7 million investment in major cultural
initiatives in Far North Queensland, through Backing Indigenous Arts. In 2010 she was
seconded to the State Library of Queensland as the Director Public Programs and then
returned to Cairns as the new KickArts Director in January 2011.
Ingrid Hoffmann – Director
When it comes to events, Pip Miller PR has a wealth of experience that extends beyond
the normal bounds of public relations. Having managed the North Queensland branch
of the Australian Tourism Export Council for 11 years, Pip masterminded many largescale events including her branch’s signature MEGA FAMIL that continues to occur each
year. In 2007 Pip retired from her role as branch manager and was awarded the most
significant contribution by an individual award by the national branch for that year.
A trained journalist, Pip Miller understands the way in which the media works. Since
1988, Pip has worked as a public relations consultant in Sydney, London and now,
Cairns. With a penchant for thinking outside the square, a strong work ethic couples
with creativity to ensure Pip Miller PR delivers the best possible service on time, all the
time.
Beverley Mitchell – General Manager
Beverley has been employed by KickArts since 2005, originally as Shop Supervisor,
and as General Manager since 2010. She has a Bachelor of Arts specialising in
Aboriginal Linguistics from the University of Adelaide, with other studies in the areas
of Art History and Theory, Interior Design and Small Business Management. She also
has extensive experience in retail and hospitality management. As General Manager
Beverley is responsible for developing and acquitting grant submissions; assisting the
Director across strategic and operational planning; wholesale and institutional sales;
touring exhibition programs; artist in residence programs; and managing the Blak Flair
creative merchandising program. After many years of selling artwork, she is now enjoying
the challenge of sourcing and developing other income streams for artists through
professional development opportunities, residencies and special projects.
Pip is a regular contributor to local monthly lifestyle publication, Cairns Eye, in the role
of fashion stylist. She is a member of the KickArts board and a former member of the
JUTE board. Ongoing retained clients include Rydges Hotels and Resorts, Vision Hotels
and Resorts, Hannaford’s Events, JUTE Theatre, Cairns Festival (since launch in 2002)
and Parker Travel Collection.
Charles Street – Head Teacher ATSI Art TNQITAFE, Artist
As an established artsworker, Charles has worked extensively in Cairns, Cape York and
the Torres Strait Islands for the past ten years, servicing remote Indigenous Arts Centres
and Communities. In the past six years, Charles held varying roles with TNQITAFE as
a Teacher, Project Officer and more recently, Head Teacher for Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander Art. One of his major achievements has been the establishment of the
arts organisation Wei’Num, which is the first Indigenous run arts service organisation in
the Western Cape York Region. Charles also established an extensive career as an artist
spanning more than 19 years, with exhibitions in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne. He
is a founding member of the Artists’ Run Initiative, Upholstery.
Kylie Burke – Curator
Kylie is a Queensland sculptor with a graphic design background and more recently, a
secondary art-teaching career. Kylie has exhibited extensively in the region since relocating
from Brisbane. She completed her art degree in 1993 at QUT in Brisbane and then
collaborated with other artists such as the Kransky Sisters. Contracted by Queensland
Performing Arts Centre on events such as Out of the Box and Five to Midnight she was
responsible for designing and producing major sets and foyer installations. In 2006 Kylie
returned to QUT to complete a Post Graduate Degree in Art Education. Since moving to
Cairns at the beginning of 2007 she has been involved with a number of local creative
projects and exhibitions. She is one of the founders of the ARI Crate59, on Sheridan St,
which currently provides studio/gallery space for 13 artists.
Russell Milledge – James Cook University lecturer, Artist
34
Val Nathan – Finance Manager
Yuki HORIKI, element of Opened Universe ll-lll (detail) 2011
Russell Milledge has received awards in performing arts, new media and visual arts.
He has a Master of Fine Arts from Queensland University of Technology and is a PhD
candidate at the School of Creative Arts, JCU. He has contributed to projects including
presentations at: the Adelaide Festival and Adelaide Fringe Festival; Dance Hakushu;
The Rondo Theatre; Tokyo New Wave; Tokyo Performing Arts Market; Cairns, Townsville,
Alice Springs and Adelaide Airports; The Tanks Arts Centre and Performance Space,
amongst others. He has been the curator of thematic exhibitions including for the IMA,
UQ Art Museum, PKW and E-Merge Media Space. Russell is a Founder, previous
Chairperson and previous Deputy Director of KickArts at the Centre of Contemporary
Arts, Cairns. Recent projects and research have included media and performance
festivals, audience interactive performance interfaces, computer vision systems for
show controls, augmented reality interfaces and mixed reality networked performance.
Val is a Cairns local of 23 years. She has a degree in accounting and has many years
of hands-on experience with local businesses, both large and small. Val joined KickArts
in March 2010 to help keep the Finance Section operating in accordance with all ASIC
and funding bodies’ rules and guidelines. Prior to joining KickArts, Val worked for a
large shipbuilding company in Cairns and was responsible for $200m projects for the
Australian Navy. Since then she has started her own business, which assists many
businesses with financial advice and training.
Sean Gilligan – Marketing Manager/Graphic Designer
Sean earned his marketing degree at Ryerson University in Toronto, Canada, in 1999
and developed an extensive track record formulating marketing strategy as well as
managing the day-to-day delivery of marketing initiatives to tight deadlines, within
budget, and according to strict brand guidelines. Sean spent the majority of his career
in the travel and tourism industry, most notably four years with Flight Centre within the
North American marketing department as Artworks Team Leader. Sean is now studying
Media Design at James Cook University with an interest in steering his career toward the
35
realm of graphic design with a skill set he used widely in past marketing positions and
which formal education will now cement.
Caitlin Donigi – Shop Supervisor
Caitlin joined the KickArts team in February 2010 as Retail and Administration Assistant.
She was soon offered the position of Shop Supervisor in which she successfully
maintained operations of the KickArts Shop and developed professional relationships
with new and ongoing artists, suppliers and customers. In September 2011 Caitlin began
her new role as Program Officer, assisting the Curator and the Administrator. Having
lived in numerous countries she has developed a love of story telling, people and place,
and art and culture. In addition, Caitlin brings many years of retail and administration
experience to her role. With her innate people skills and welcoming personality she has
proven to be a valuable asset to our organisation and looks forward to expanding her
experience and knowledge within KickArts as well as the broader arts community and
administration.
Jan Aird – Publicist
With more than 20 years of diverse experience in the arts and film industries, Jan gained
the ability to empathise and encourage and motivate people toward their chosen goals.
Jan returned to KickArts where she was once the administrator and sole employee
after an eight-year absence, during which she freelanced as project manager on local,
national and offshore film productions, and local festivals and events in Cairns. Jan has
a proven track record in successful grant writing. She gained multi-year funding for
KickArts, contributed to securing 2.7 million dollars from the State Government to build
the Centre of Contemporary Arts in Cairns, attracted project and equipment funding
for End Credits Film Club and has assisted many individual artists in Cairns and remote
communities to gain financial support. Jan’s communication skills cater to a broad
spectrum, making her Publicist role a great fit for KickArts.
Hedy Verhulst – Shop Supervisor
Hedy is from the Netherlands where her degree from the University of Amsterdam
combined Economics with Spanish Language and Literature. She lived for five years
in Spain, teaching English and Art to children. Following this Hedy moved to Australia
where she continues to develop her creative skills in areas such as mixed media, textiles
and ceramics. With her label ‘Tuulikki Titine’ Hedy also has been a long-term supplier for
the KickArts Shop and online community.
Elizabeth Hunter – Senior Printmaker
Elizabeth was a Sydney-based Printmaker who studied and taught in Australia and
overseas. She obtained her BA at City Art Institute, Sydney, Australia; Attestato di
Qualifica Professionale, Incisione, Regione Toscana, Italia; and MA at Surrey University,
London. She has exhibited in Australia, Italy, England, the Czech Republic, Germany,
Japan, India and the USA. Elizabeth commenced with Djumbunji Press in January 2010
as the Studio Manager and oversees the management of the studio and its programming
which includes general workshops, workshops delivered in remote communities,
development of new work for publishing and the printing of limited edition prints. She
brings her skills in delivery of workshops from her previous role teaching printmaking at
TAFE in Sydney.
Hedy masters four languages, and this, combined with her interpersonal skills and
interest in the arts, makes her a welcome addition to the KickArts team.
Claire Heathcock – Administrator
Claire joined KickArts after moving to Cairns from Brisbane in 2009. In Brisbane Claire
was employed at the Queensland Art Gallery as a Gallery Services Officer and a Support
Officer in the Financial Service Unit. Claire has a Bachelor of Arts Degree with majors
in English and Drama. In addition to her experience in the visual arts Claire worked
with the physical theatre company, Circa. Claire excels in her support with KickArts
finances and general administration. She assists the Director with Board of Directors
liaison and special projects including the Patrons Program. Furthermore in 2010 Claire
became responsible KickArts public programming introducing artists talks, workshops
and ARTBABIES (preschool art workshops) to the annual program. Her organisational
skills and professional approach to her position makes Claire an asset to the company.
Kacey Johnson – Studio Coordinator
A recent graduate of JCU with a Bachelor of Creative Industries degree, Kacey Johnson
joined Djumbunji Press in late 2010 as the Studio Coordinator. Kacey’s organisational
skills encompass artist liaison, the planning, preparation, finishing and storing of fine art
print editions, and responsibility for the studio’s workplace health and safety protocols.
Kacey has an interest in arts law and is also partially responsible for finalising artists’
contracts. The busy demands of the studio’s workshop schedule, artist access and
editioning orders are met by Kacey’s attention to detail, while her genuine support of
Indigenous artists’ career paths makes an important contribution to meeting KickArts’
key performance indicators.
Brian Robinson – Djumbuni Press Artist In Residence
Brian is a well-known Torres Strait Islander artist and curator based in Cairns. His artistic
practice includes sculpture, painting and printmaking. He is an accomplished linocut artist
and has been represented in a range of national and international collections, notably, in
GoMA’s milestone Land, Sea and Sky exhibition in Brisbane. During his residency, Brian
has been extending a variety of printmaking mediums to create a new body of works
marking important technical breakthroughs. In his role he acts as a mentor to other
artists using the Djumbunji Press studio facilities. In addition, Brian delivers community
workshops at the Djumbunji Press studio as well as taking printmaking workshops to
remote communities around northern Queensland.
Taicee is a student in year 11 at Djarragun College, who first visited Djumbunji Press in
2010 during the international residency of Niuean artist John Pule. She showed great
interest in the Studio and in conjunction with her school and study schedule, and under
the Senior Printmaker’s wing, Taicee’s role was formalised as a trainee supported by
the state government in collaboration with Tropical North Queensland Institute of TAFE.
Taicee is a talented young printmaker who has garnered several awards for her work at
Gab Titui Cultural Centre in the last two years.
36
Sue RYAN, Moon dog (detail) 2011
Taicee Pearson – Djumbunji Press Trainee Printmaker
37
9 Financial Report
KickArts Contemporary Arts Limited
A.B.N. 25 105 853 987
Financial report for the year ended 31st December 2011.
9.1 Directors’ report
38
9.2 Statement of financial performance
39
9.3 Balance sheet
9.3 BALANCE SHEET
AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2011
9.4 Statement of cash flows
NOTE
THIS YEAR
LAST YEAR
$
$
294,097.84
406,194.33
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash assets
Receivables
2
14,102.14
71,801.52
Inventories
3
74,096.40
91,260.25
382,296.38
569,256.10
142,059.60
145,351.48
KickArts Collection, at valuation
224,459.00
224,459.00
TOTAL NON-CURRENT ASSETS
366,518.60
369,810.48
TOTAL ASSETS
748,814.98
939,066.58
Layby sales
3,310.00
6,136.30
Accrued Superannuation
9,704.52
11,951.67
Trade creditors
18,404.78
5,174.18
Credit Card facilities
-
-
GST payable
2,702.60
(11,899.36)
Amounts withheld
6,888.00
9,583.00
21,237.16
17,236.95
Unexpended building funds
5,680.41
5,680.41
Unexpended grants
317,197.81
509,524.73
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES
385,125.28
553,397.88
-
2,796.24
-
2,796.24
TOTAL LIABILITIES
385,125.28
556,194.12
NET ASSETS
363,689.70
382,872.46
363,689.70
382,872.46
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS
NON-CURRENT ASSETS
Fixed assets
Plant and equipment
4
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Employee benefits
5
NON CURRENT LIABILITIES
Employee benefits
5
EQUITY
Retained profits
40
6
41
9.4 Statement of cash flows (continued)
42
9.5 Statement of changes in equity
43
9.6 Notes to the financial statements
44
9.6 Notes to the financial statements (continued)
45
9.6 Notes to the financial statements (continued)
46
9.7 Directors’ declaration
47
9.8 Independent audit report
48
9.8 Independent audit report (continued)
49
9.9 Auditor’s independence declaration
9.10 Income and expenditure statement
9.10 INCOME AND EXPENDITURE STATEMENT
AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2011
NOTE
THIS YEAR
LAST YEAR
$
$
Arts Queensland Cultural
Infrastructure Program Funding
250,000.00
204,754.00
Arts Queensland Djumbunji Press
331,878.81
275,000.00
Arts Queensland Building Funds
Expended
-
6,462.81
Arts Queensland, Djumbunji Press - Consultant Review
5,000.00
-
Arts Queensland, ProppaNOW
11,500.00
-
Arts Queensland, Arists in Schools Yarrabah
8,215.31
-
Arts Queensland, Quick Response Grant Knock Knock
1,500.00
-
Arts Queensland Front Of House
5,482.78
19,499.96
Arts Queensland Hatch
47,825.08
3,154.11
Arts Queensland Auspiced Grant On Edge
-
12,075.00
Australia Council Triennial
Operational Funding
42,573.00
41,657.00
Australia Council, Djumbunji Press Artists in Residence
2,740.05
-
The Christensen Fund
5,762.72
113,266.84
Gambling Community Benefit Fund
8,389.35
12,511.81
RGAQ Professional Development
-
600.00
First Start Employment Incentives
(227.27)
24,500.00
Cairns Regional Council/RAF, New Moves
13,775.92
-
Other Grants
4,545.45
-
738,961.20
713,481.53
Djumbunji Press Income
76,884.59
121,899.30
Donations Sponsorship and Fundraising
1,777.98
13,408.58
General Earned Income
37,003.44
182,676.30
Members Subscriptions
3,618.15
4,371.54
Interest received
17,947.94
9,862.94
Royalties
1,484.10
954.54
Other Revenue
12,193.06
9,295.63
Gross Profit (Loss) from trading
130,249.37
154,240.58
281,158.63
496,709.41
1,020,119.83
1,210,190.94
GRANTS EXPENDED
OTHER INCOME
50
51
9.10 Income and expenditure statement (continued)
9.10 INCOME AND EXPENDITURE STATEMENT
AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2011
9.10 Income and expenditure statement (continued)
NOTE
THIS YEAR
LAST YEAR
$
$
Advertising and marketing
49,401.17
65,118.66
Artist fees Djumbunji Press
43,259.68
-
Auditor’s remuneration
8,000.00
4,260.00
Bank charges
4,304.08
4,162.54
Bookkeeping
31,690.00
53,470.10
Bar supplies
7.27
4,030.51
Cleaning and pest control
4,667.93
7,645.04
Collection expenses
1,075.27
-
Contractor payments
1,609.27
3,501.82
Consultancy fees
11,032.25
32,192.78
Computer expenses
4,328.84
5,196.02
Curators, writers etc.
248.23
36,318.03
Depreciation KickArts
19,400.78
18,582.87
Depreciation Djumbunji Press
13,502.00
11,735.00
Direct program expenses
227,214.97
306,923.45
Electricity
5,153.72
6,544.53
Email, internet, website
3,117.73
23,159.13
Fees and permits
6,523.69
3,079.18
Gardening
4,354.55
5,720.00
Holiday pay, movement in provision
4,000.21
(1,837.07)
Insurance
13,200.24
21,548.33
Long service leave, movement in provision
(2,796.24)
Magazines, journals, periodicals, library
THIS YEAR
LAST YEAR
$
$
Repairs and maintenance
5,635.60
11,228.54
Security costs
1,115.13
1,355.25
Sponsorship
-
5,261.46
Staff training
3,160.20
3,205.78
Staff amenities
1,714.99
2,350.88
Staff Recruitment & Relocation
582.50
-
Shop supplies
593.56
2,144.41
Subscriptions
1,931.87
2,577.13
Sundry expenses
472.10
879.25
Superannuation contributions
43,574.48
42,021.32
Telephone
5,335.03
5,129.47
Tool replacement and other minor asset
purchases
8,538.46
8,546.04
Travelling expenses
16,398.30
15,665.53
Wages
476,383.25
467,643.52
Wrapping and packing
1,686.35
20,355.72
1,039,302.59
1,229,744.40
Profit from ordinary activities before income tax
(19,182.76)
(19,553.46)
Income tax expense attributable to operating profit
-
-
Profit from ordinary activities after income tax
(19,182.76)
19,553.46)
Retained profits (accumulated losses) at the
beginning of the financial year
382,872.46
402,425.92
1,215.16
157.28
10.91
Total available for appropriation
363,689.70
382,872.46
Meetings and catering
1,528.35
2,753.32
Merchant fees
435.12
1,049.54
363,689.70
402,425.92
Motor vehicle expense reimbursements
5,998.15
-
Retained profits (accumulated losses) at the end of the
financial year
Postage and freight
3,202.46
8,198.93
Printing, stationery, photocopying
5,994.13
8,403.10
Recruitment costs
-
7,075.59
Rent
1,569.64
1,322.63
EXPENDITURE
52
9.10 INCOME AND EXPENDITURE STATEMENT
AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2011
NOTE
EXPENDITURE
53