Newsletter | President’s Report | December 2020
As the end of the year quickly approaches I think most of us will be pleased to say farewell to a year more akin to a dystopian science fiction novel. It is a year that has changed everyone. A year that art historians, writers and artists are likely to interrogate for decades into the future. And unfortunately it has been a year that has seen our discipline, and the arts sector as a whole, come under threat. At first this was from the lack of government support through the JobKeeper and JobSeeker schemes that were not extended to many arts workers and university casuals, then through the imposition of an increase in fees for humanities students by 113%. Now many universities and a number of galleries are implementing financial rationalisation measures which have already resulted in the amalgamation of departments and loss of jobs. More, unfortunately, is yet to come.
On a positive note, many people around the world turned to the creative arts to give meaning and expression to life during periods of lockdown and enforced isolation. Galleries and museums pivoted to the digital developing online engagement opportunities and virtual exhibitions, while universities adapted teaching programs to an online environment. Like other organisations AAANZ has also been very active online this year. The Executive Committee met regularly through Zoom and I liaised regularly with colleagues from other industry bodies online. This enabled AAANZ to strengthen its relationship with other associations and AAANZ has emerged stronger as a result. The AGM was also an online event this year and attended by 50 members providing an important opportunity for us to reconnect in a year of fracture and separation.
Unfortunately the 2020 conference was an early casualty of the COVID-19 pandemic but I am pleased to announce the 2021 conference has been confirmed. It will be held on the campus of the University of Sydney from Wednesday 8 December to Saturday 11 December. Please put these dates in your diary. The conference will provide an important opportunity for us to come together, network and share the latest research in the discipline. Thank you to the Conference Organising Committee, particularly Conference Organiser Mark Ledbury from the Power Institute, for his patience and assistance working through these uncertain times. The Organising Committee are planning a program of tours, onsite events and stimulating keynote speakers which I am sure will generate much lively discussion.
The annual prizes including the Art Writing and Publishing Awards (AWAPAs) and the PhD Prize were held again this year. The PhD Prize was altered to a video format and renamed the Research in Focus Prize. It was opened up to current students completing their doctorate. I encourage members to visit the AAANZ website and watch the video announcement of the AWAPA recipients and the Research in Focus videos. Thank you to all the judges of the prizes for their time and discernment in selecting the recipients. Thank you also to the sponsors: Professor Terry Smith; Art Monthly Australia; Australian Institute for Art History; Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū; University of Melbourne; Monash Art Design & Architecture, Monash University; Power Institute, Foundation for Art and Visual Culture, University of Sydney; University Art Museums Australia and Taylor and Francis. Their generous support ensures AAANZ is able to recognise outstanding contributions to the field of art publishing and research.
AAANZ was also really pleased to partner with the Australian Institute of Art History in administering the inaugural AIAH Research Grants. These provide grants of $5,000 each for projects that advance knowledge and research in art history. This year ten grants were made available to emerging, independent and institutional scholars. Thank you to the Selection Panel for their time spent on the difficult task of determining the grant recipients.
Another highlight was the launch on the AAANZ website of the Directory of Art Historians and Art Researchers in the Asia-Pacific Region. This is a searchable database of academics, teachers, writers, editors, curators and museum professionals specialising in art, architecture and visual culture. A joint initiative with the Australian Institute of Art History, and the International Committee for the History of Art, the Directory is designed to expand networks and make researchers’ expertise widely available. I encourage everyone to add your details if you haven’t already done so. Thank you to Anthony White and Katrina Grant for their work on this project.
Thank you to the team at the Centre of Visual Arts (CoVA) at the University of Melbourne who are responsible for the Australia & New Zealand Journal of Art. I’d particularly like to thank Editor in Chief Ian McLean, Editorial Coordinator Jeremy Eaton and Reviews Editor Mark Erdmann, who work tirelessly to deliver two issues each year, together with the ANZJA Board under Su Baker, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Director of CoVA. Volume 20, issue 1 focussed on the theme of war, art and visual culture and was edited by Kit Messham-Muir & Uroš Čvoro. Issue 2 is due for publication in coming weeks. It has been ably brought together by guest editors Jane Eckett, Sheridan Palmer and Aneta Trajkosk. It will be an open issue organised around the themes of ‘fiction’, ‘labour’ and ‘activism’.
In closing I’d like to thank the Executive Committee for their support during this difficult year and particularly Rebecca Renshaw, Business Manager, for all the extra hours she puts into the Association to ensure things run smoothly. A special thanks also to Anthony White, Advocacy Representative; Katrina Grant, Marketing and Communications Coordinator and Korin Lesh, Treasurer for their hard work throughout the year.
This year has been a time of both change and reflection that has reinforced the value of what we do. It has strengthened our alliances with other arts organisations and enabled us to add the voice of the academy to industry to work towards a better understanding of the important role the tertiary sector plays in the arts ecology. I wish all members a safe, happy, healthy and relaxing summer break and I look forward to working with you again in the New Year.
AAANZ President
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