New agreement unites three Cairns galleries under one operator

Cairns Regional Council has approved a new agreement that brings the city’s three major public galleries – Cairns Art Gallery, Court House Gallery, and Mulgrave Gallery – under a single management structure led by Cairns Art Gallery.

The transition marks a major step in the development of the Cairns Gallery Precinct, allowing for coordinated exhibitions, programming, and cultural engagement across the venues.

Under the agreement, Cairns Art Gallery will begin managing all three sites this financial year. Council will provide freehold and trustee permits for operations at the Court House and Mulgrave sites.

Mayor Amy Eden said the agreement aligns with Council’s vision to elevate Cairns as a cultural capital and notes “delivering improved cultural outcomes for artists, residents and visitors through partnerships with organisations like Cairns Art Gallery directly supports Council’s ambition to position Cairns as Northern Australia’s leading cultural destination.”

Established in 1995, Cairns Art Gallery is already a cornerstone of the region’s cultural life, playing a vital role in shaping its reputation as a leading arts hub.

Council will contribute $2.25 million in funding this financial year, alongside $516,000 in in-kind support and 17 car parking spaces within the Mantra Building carpark to support the transition.

Pending successful implementation, Council will work with the Gallery on a long-term operating agreement for the precinct.

Cairns Art Gallery Chair Doug McKinstry welcomed the opportunity and advised “I certainly support the Council’s view that a world class art facility across a full precinct led and run by the Cairns Art Gallery is significantly better than providing individual small galleries.

“For 30 years the exceptionally creative Cairns Art Gallery has been an important Queensland Gallery, nationally renowned for its artistic excellence and proven record of advancing the career pathways of artists from the region.

“This wonderful opportunity to develop and manage the Cairns Art Gallery Precinct will allow us to do some very exciting work. We have the skills, knowledge and enthusiasm to do a great job.”