Reconciliation Action Plan

Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art Reconciliation Action Plan 23 First Australians and QAGOMA From early in its history, the Gallery has engaged with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. Through dedicated collecting and exhibiting programs, QAGOMA has facilitated many memorable and transformative experiences through works by First Australian artists, from major exhibitions and commissions to regional touring and learning programs, and from public programs and events to its food outlets and stores. We are committed to representing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art and cultures through collection development, exhibition programming, identified employment and professional development, community liaison, engagement and participation. Having a Reconciliation Action Plan, which will provide the procedural tools for structuring and improving our organisation’s commitments, will enable the Gallery to turn good intentions into positive actions. QAGOMA’s RAP Journey In January 2015, we formed an Indigenous Advisory Group to assist with the selection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists and projects for ‘The 8th Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art’. Comprised of QAGOMA staff, local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders and colleagues, the group provided valuable feedback, perspectives and guidance relating to communication and cultural protocols. THE RAP PROVIDES PROCEDURAL TOOLS FOR STRUCTURING AND IMPROVING OUR ORGANISATION’S COMMITMENTS, ENABLING US TO TURN GOOD INTENTIONS INTO POSITIVE ACTIONS In April that year, the Gallery’s first Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Engagement Strategy was also endorsed by the Board of Trustees. This document was designed to guide staff in relation to the Gallery’s engagement with and representation of First Australian artists and communities, as well as the core business of employment, procurement, collection development and exhibition programming. In June 2017, Avril Quaill was approached to chair the Gallery’s first Indigenous Advisory Panel (IAP). The IAP provides the Director with practical advice and guidance regarding QAGOMA’s commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, as expressed through its programs, collection development, exhibitions, employment opportunities, professional development and community liaison. The IAP meets four times per year. As an Australian institution dedicated to the collecting and display of cultural and artistic material, the QAGOMA Board of Trustees and staff believe that a formal process of reconciliation is both necessary and timely. As the result of a tender process, in September 2019, QAGOMA engaged Indigenous-owned law firm Terri Janke and Company to assist in the development of its first Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). The Indigenous Advisory Panel endorsed this engagement. QAGOMA staff were invited to participate in a workshop held on 5 November 2019, facilitated by Wuthathi/Meriam woman Dr Terri Janke and Laura Curtis, and more than 110 people attended. We reflected on the Gallery’s efforts towards reconciliation to date and discussed targets and strategies for future implementation. Staff members worked together to identify areas for improvement, which were categorised by the following focus areas: 1. Increasing economic opportunity and procurement 2. Focusing collecting, caretaking, sharing and presenting of cultural material and creativity 3. Championing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and values 4. Increasing employment opportunities, progression and representation 5. Increasing cultural safety and community engagement The workshop illuminated QAGOMA staff’s high level of enthusiasm for meaningful ongoing engagement with diverse Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, which has significantly informed the development of this RAP. OUR RECONCILIATION ACTION PLAN Naomi Hobson , Kaantju/Umpila peoples / A Warrior without a Weapon 6 2018 / Purchased 2019 with funds from the Future Collective through the QAGOMA Foundation / © Naomi Hobson