Warwick Art Gallery highlights strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats
A report from Warwick Art Gallery was tabled at the recent Ordinary Council Meeting, outlining the gallery’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.
In strengths, they stated there is a significant local interest in the arts, they are the principal provider of visual arts activities in Warwick, with enthusiastic and dedicated staff, a committed and skilled Management Committeem and dedicated and loyal volunteers. They also stated they are respected as a sector leader in Queensland, with good contacts with other arts institutions and touring bodies nationally, and have received recognition from health care organisations as a suitable place to bring clients
Under weaknesses, they stated they have no formal lease agreement with the Council, insufficient road signage, limited financial resources, and high energy consumption due to old air conditioning in the Orange Wall Gallery and the use of incandescent lighting. They also stated they are under-promoted, have a dated external appearance, and rely too heavily on Council for connectivity.
They outlined their opportunities, recognising the positive contribution that the visual arts makes to health and wellbeing, the potential to expand Jumpers and Jazz in July and maintain high-quality programming.
They also stated that there is a high level of public interest in artist talks and an increasing appreciation and awareness of the importance of culture and lifestyle activities in the community.
The gallery stated that successful operation will increase corporate and Council confidence in their value, and they have an opportunity to develop sustainable sources of revenue through innovative fundraising, sponsorship and donations.
They stated they could target new audiences by matching exhibition themes to local events, with the potential for the outdoor area to become an integrated community space shared with the library.
There is also the opportunity to enhance the gallery shop, increase their local audience through Orange Wall Gallery exhibitions, and increase engagement with local schools.
The gallery outlined its threats, stating that they have financial and staffing constraints.
“A portion of the community expects the gallery to always display local art and do not support “cutting edge” or contemporary art exhibitions,” the gallery stated.
They also highlighted a possible over-reliance on the Jumpers and Jazz in July Festival, problems retaining volunteers and the competitiveness of the grant opportunities from the State and Federal Governments.
Planning and Environmental Services Report tabled
The Planning and Environmental Services Report was tabled at the recent Ordinary council Meeting, highlighting interesting figures for the month.
4 0cats were impounded, with one returned to its owner, 21 rehomed and 18 feral cats taken to the vet. 29 dogs were impounded, seven of which were returned to their owner and nine of which were rehomed. Three dogs were taken to the vets with 10 dogs still impounded.
Three unsightly allotment notices were issued for this month along with 15 parking infringements.
Four abandoned vehicles were reported and six illegal dumping complaints were investigated.
Councils talk Youth Council
Cr McDonald thanked the Youth Council for the experience after attending their recent meeting.
She stated the students are “a great group of individuals” and said she got “put in the hot seat” which was quite challenging at times.
Cr McDonald said they kept her on her toes and raised important issues that were of concern to everybody in the community.
She said roads affect everyone, but issues like a lack of transport are hard to address.
Cr Sheryl Windle said she was pleased to hear Cr McDonald enjoyed her experience.
She said the same issues seem to be raised year after year, such as a lack of transport in the region.
SDRC has not been able to come up with a solution, she said, but can’t give up.
