Published Saturday, 02 December, 2006 at 05:00 AM
JOINT STATEMENT
Premier and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Peter Beattie
Minister for Education and Training and Minister for the Arts
The Honourable Rod Welford
Minister for Public Works, Housing and Information and Communication Technology
The Honourable Robert Schwarten
LANDMARK CULTURAL BUILDINGS OPEN TO PUBLIC
It is expected that Queenslanders will be out in force today to celebrate the official opening of the new $291 million Cultural Centre in Brisbane.
Today is their first opportunity to experience the magnificent new Gallery of Modern Art and the revitalised cultural precinct that builds on Brisbane’s growing reputation and status as a major centre for art and culture in the Asia-Pacific region.
Premier Peter Beattie said the cultural precinct had always been a favourite with Brisbane people and visitors to the city.
“Now it will be even more popular,” Mr Beattie said.
“The opening of this fantastic redevelopment, which includes the new Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA), State Library of Queensland and outstanding civic spaces, is a great milestone in our arts and cultural development,” Premier Peter Beattie said.
“These new facilities enhance and complete the original Cultural Centre, home to the Queensland Art Gallery, Queensland Museum and Queensland Performing Arts Centre.
“Each of these flagship arts and cultural institutions plays a vital role in housing Queensland’s cultural treasures and artworks for current and future generations, and we should be proud of the contribution they make to our state.”
Arts Minister Rod Welford said GoMA and the refurbished Queensland Art Gallery opened with the 5th Asia-Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art (APT5).
“This is the only series of exhibitions in the world to focus exclusively on the contemporary art of the Asia-Pacific region with the APT5 promising a rich mix of visual art, cinema and performance,” Mr Welford said.
“We are proud to have such a world-class event to open our Cultural Centre.
“As its opening exhibition, the new State Library of Queensland has the National Treasures from Australia’s Great Libraries, featuring items such as Ned Kelly’s bullet-ridden helmet, Sir Donald Bradman’s favourite cricket bats and Captain Cooks’ Endeavour journal.
“Now that the Cultural Centre is open I urge Queenslanders to discover, explore and enjoy these stunning new facilities.”
The redevelopment of the Cultural Centre is the centrepiece of the State Government’s Millennium Arts Project – Queensland’s largest cultural infrastructure project in 30 years.
Public Works Minister Robert Schwarten said the project had created significant economic benefits for the state’s building industry during the three-year construction period.
“This project supported more than 12,000 jobs during construction, while about 72 per cent of project contracts were awarded to Queensland-based contractors,” Mr Schwarten said.
"It’s been a wonderful project for Queensland, with an average of 45 apprentices, trainees and cadets working at the site each day over the construction period.”
Media contact: Premier’s office – 3224 4500
Minister Welford’s office – 3237 1000
Minister Schwarten’s office – 3237 1832
2 December 2006
Today is their first opportunity to experience the magnificent new Gallery of Modern Art and the revitalised cultural precinct that builds on Brisbane’s growing reputation and status as a major centre for art and culture in the Asia-Pacific region.
Premier Peter Beattie said the cultural precinct had always been a favourite with Brisbane people and visitors to the city.
“Now it will be even more popular,” Mr Beattie said.
“The opening of this fantastic redevelopment, which includes the new Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA), State Library of Queensland and outstanding civic spaces, is a great milestone in our arts and cultural development,” Premier Peter Beattie said.
“These new facilities enhance and complete the original Cultural Centre, home to the Queensland Art Gallery, Queensland Museum and Queensland Performing Arts Centre.
“Each of these flagship arts and cultural institutions plays a vital role in housing Queensland’s cultural treasures and artworks for current and future generations, and we should be proud of the contribution they make to our state.”
Arts Minister Rod Welford said GoMA and the refurbished Queensland Art Gallery opened with the 5th Asia-Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art (APT5).
“This is the only series of exhibitions in the world to focus exclusively on the contemporary art of the Asia-Pacific region with the APT5 promising a rich mix of visual art, cinema and performance,” Mr Welford said.
“We are proud to have such a world-class event to open our Cultural Centre.
“As its opening exhibition, the new State Library of Queensland has the National Treasures from Australia’s Great Libraries, featuring items such as Ned Kelly’s bullet-ridden helmet, Sir Donald Bradman’s favourite cricket bats and Captain Cooks’ Endeavour journal.
“Now that the Cultural Centre is open I urge Queenslanders to discover, explore and enjoy these stunning new facilities.”
The redevelopment of the Cultural Centre is the centrepiece of the State Government’s Millennium Arts Project – Queensland’s largest cultural infrastructure project in 30 years.
Public Works Minister Robert Schwarten said the project had created significant economic benefits for the state’s building industry during the three-year construction period.
“This project supported more than 12,000 jobs during construction, while about 72 per cent of project contracts were awarded to Queensland-based contractors,” Mr Schwarten said.
"It’s been a wonderful project for Queensland, with an average of 45 apprentices, trainees and cadets working at the site each day over the construction period.”
Media contact: Premier’s office – 3224 4500
Minister Welford’s office – 3237 1000
Minister Schwarten’s office – 3237 1832
2 December 2006