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2011 KickArts Contemporary Arts 96 Abbott Street Cairns Qld Australia 4870 Ph: +617 4050 9494 www.kickarts.org.au

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  • ANNUAL REPORT 2011

    KickArts Contemporary Arts

    96 Abbott Street Cairns Qld

    Austral ia 4870

    Ph: +617 4050 9494

    www.kickarts.org.au

  • 1

    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

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    Thank you to our donors, sponsors, volunteers, project staff and partners

    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 PENROSE-HERBERT 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

  • 3

    1 Chair’s Report

    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.

    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.

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    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

    2

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    2 Director’s Report

    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.

    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, Gijalordi exhibition period, which launched for CIAF 2011, Gijalordisales 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.Gijalordi series through the KickArts Shop.Gijalordi

    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.

    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.

    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 long-established 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.

    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.

    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.

    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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    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.

    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.

    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..

    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.

    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.

    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.

    Ingrid Hoffmann KickArts Contemporary Arts Director

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    3 KickArts Program Review

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    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 guidelinesAn 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 Season2 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.

    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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    3.2. Curator’s reportOf 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 PressGeoff 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 Cairns-based artists and featured established and emerging artists alike.

    It’s really shit but there’s an awful lot of it...Jessie Hall29 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 Robinson3 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 Ryan7 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 BirdsEd Koumans12 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 Sam16 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 Baker12 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 Omeenyo25 October to 26 November 2011

    Lockhart River artist Omeenyo presented new works on canvas which extended his distinctive and exuberant painterly style.

    PreciousThe 2011 KickArts Shop annual merchandising exhibition6 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

    From left: Lenore HOWARD, Jessie HALL, Brian ROBINSON, Sue RYAN, Ed KOUMANS, Joel SAM, Robyn BAKER, Josiah OMEENYO, Tuulikki Titine

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    Szilvia Gyorgy, and Victoria Mason.

    3.2.2. Gallery 1

    Continued from 2010: Mornington Island Painting Placeto 5 March 2011

    The Black Pram Project Anna Holan, Barbara Dover, Robyn Baker 11 March to 21 May 2011

    The Black Pram Project was a collaborative exhibition of installations, digital and mixed media works, probing perspectives on and The Black Pram Project was a collaborative exhibition of installations, digital and mixed media works, probing perspectives on and The Black Pram Projectunderstandings 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.

    New Photography 1 Martin Smith, Mari Hirata, Sean Davey 27 May to 13 August 2011

    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.

    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.

    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.

    proppaNOW – The Black See Vernon Ah Kee, Gordon Hookey, Richard Bell, Laurie Nilsen, Tony Albert, Bianca Beetson and Jennifer Herd19 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.

    The exhibition was included in the 2011 Cairns Indigenous Art Fair program.

    The Deadly Sea Scrolls Gordon Hookey19 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.

    God, Queen and CountryKristin Tennyson11 November to 2 January 2012

    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.

    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.

    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

    Continued from 2010: Altered Species – Daniel Wallwork to 29 January 2011

    Digital OdysseyCraig Walsh4 Feb to 12 March 2011

    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 HOME project. Relating to what ‘a sense of home’ is, large-scale HOMEvideos 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.

    From left: Kristin TENNYSON, Anna HOLAN, Mari HIRATA, New Photography 1, The Black See, Gordon HOOKEY, Kristin TENNYSON

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    Eugene Carchesio Eugene Carchesio18 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 StoryGirringun 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 AlchemyYuki Horiki 4 November to 14 January 2012

    Eternal Alchemy explored the infinite possibilities of circles, colour and the interconnectedness of all things. After a profound and Eternal Alchemy explored the infinite possibilities of circles, colour and the interconnectedness of all things. After a profound and Eternal Alchemyrevelatory 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.

    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 & Monokick7IMA / 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 One Window, One Door ran for the duration of the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair, located at the Cairns Cruise Liner Terminal, and was One Window, One Doorgenerously sponsored by Ergon Energy.

    From left: Craig WALSH, Eugene CARCHESIO, Keith ARMSTRONG, Girrungun Art Centre artists, Yuki HORIKI

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    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 CrawlKickArts/CoCAFebruary, 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 AwardSeptember 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.

    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

    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, God, Queen and Country in KickArts’ Gallery 1. KickArts produced a 16-page catalogue to accompany the exhibition, God, Queen and Countrywhich 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.

    From left: ARTBABIES, Oorutaichi, ARTBABIES, Artist floor talk, Anna Holan sculpture workshop, school visit, Muddy’s Art Village

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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.

    3.4.3. Artists’ talks and workshops

    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 TheatreArtist Forum for • New Photography 1 – The artists discussed their motivations and technical qualities of their work. 4 June, Gallery 1In 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 SpaceAs 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 SpaceCelebrating 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 TheatreIn 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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    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 mid-2011, 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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    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.

    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.

    4.3. Community workshops

    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.

    Ron McBurnie Book Creation WorkshopRon 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.

    Billy Missi Linocut WorkshopIn 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.

    Elizabeth Hunter Collograph WorkshopElizabeth 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.

    Brian Robinson Colour Reduction Linocut WorkshopEight 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.

    4.4. Educational workshops

    Djumbunji Press presented a number of workshops servicing the education sector throughout 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

    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 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.

    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.

    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.

    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.

    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.

    4.5. Artist in residence opportunities

    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.

    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.

    4.6. Exhibitions and CIAF 2011

    As in previous years, KickArts and Djumbunji Press made an important contribution to the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair. KickArts

    Above: Paul Machnik with workshop participantsFrom left: images 1 and 2: Billy Missi Linocut Workshop; Bess Muhlstock and Taicee Pearson

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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 school-based 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.

    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.

    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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    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.

    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.

    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 2011 57 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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    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.

    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.

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    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.

    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

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    Number of international touring exhibitions 0 0 1

    Number of Queensland artists presented 40 65 43

    Number of national artists presented 6 1 8

    Number of international artists presented 0 8 2

    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

    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%

    Qualitative Evidence of organisational commitment to increase the number of sponsors

    3 new sponsors with the financial value of $10,000

    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

    INDICATOR 4: SERVICE DELIVERY 2011 TARGET 2011 ACTUAL 2012 ESTIMATE

    Quantitative Number of emerging artists participating in KickArts program and services

    15 73 20

    Number of established artists participating in KickArts program and services

    13 32 15

    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

    INDICATOR 5: BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT 2011 TARGET 2011 ACTUAL 2012 ESTIMATE

    Quantitative Number of new collaborations with industry to deliver creative outcomes for artists

    4 12 6

    Qualitative Evidence of collaboration with government and business

    Undertake a minimum of 2 collaborations to deliver outcomes

    7 Undertake a minimum of 2 collaborations to deliver outcomes

    GOVERNANCE

    Does the Grantee need to supply evidence of any change to the Grantee’s current legal status?

    No.

    How has the Grantee resolved any issues that may have been raised in its audited annual financial statements?

    No issues to resolve.

    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.

    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.

    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.

    The KickArts Constitution has staggered terms for Directors’ appointments so there is no risk of major loss of corporate knowledge.

    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.

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    7 Supporters 8 Organisation Structure

    8.1. Organisational Chart

    KickArtsBoard of Directors

    Strategic and Financial Responsibility

    ProgramOfficerOfficer

    Volunteers

    Trainee Piece Printer

    General ManagerManager

    Financial ManagementManagement

    CuratorMarketing

    and PublicityKickArts

    Shop SupervisorShop SupervisorAdministratorAdministrator

    SeniorPrintmaker

    Artist In Residence

    StudioCoordinator

    Printmaker

    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.

    Donors

    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.

    Major sponsors

    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

    Edward Koumans, Emily Brooking, Jim Traynor, Som Tamang, KickArts Board of Directors and KickArts’ friends and families.

    KickArts DirectorCompany Management & Strategic Direction

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    8.2. Role of the Board and governance

    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.

    8.3. KickArts Board of Directors

    Gayleen Toll – Chair – Recruitment Company Proprietor

    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.

    Robert Willmett – Area Manager North Queensland, DEEWR

    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 Frizzo – Solicitor

    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.

    Robin Maxwell – Indigenous Coordination Centre

    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.

    Gaylene Whenmouth – Secretary – Ergon Energy

    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.

    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.

    David Goodman – Chartered Accountant

    Raised in Cairns, David undertook tertiary education at Queensland Institute of Technology (now Queensland University of Technology — Gardens Point Campus) obtaining a Bachelor in