QAGOMA achieves record two million visitors in 2017

The Queensland Art Gallery│Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA) has set a new record for visitor numbers in 2017 with an attendance of more than 2.17 million.

Exceeding its previous calendar-year record of 1.8 million attendances in 2010, the record-breaking attendance was boosted by a program which included the celebration of GOMA’s 10th birthday, the blockbuster Marvel: Creating the Cinematic Universe, and exhibitions by two of the world’s most renowned living artists, Gerhard Richter and Yayoi Kusama.

The Marvel: Creating the Cinematic Universe was the year’s biggest success, attracting more than 269,000 visitors, a record for a ticketed exhibition at QAGOMA.

Commenting on the achievement, Queensland Arts Minister Leeanne Enoch said the result was an outstanding achievement for the flagship art gallery, stating “Queensland can be rightly proud of QAGOMA, which has cemented its place as one of Australia’s pre-eminent and most exciting art institutions.

“I congratulate the gallery on its spectacular attendance, a reflection of its ability to create innovative and breathtaking experiences that welcome local, interstate and overseas audiences, and drive cultural tourism outcomes for our state.

Minister Enoch said 2018 was set to be another strong year for the gallery, featuring some highly anticipated exhibitions that will continue to push boundaries and delight audiences.

She added “QAGOMA’s rich forward program is supported by the Queensland Government’s reinstatement of up to $10.8 million over four years for blockbusters and major exhibitions.

“The Marvel exhibition was the first show staged under this blockbuster funding, and the second will be Patricia Piccinini: Curious Affection, which will occupy the entire ground floor of GOMA from 24th March to 5th August.”

QAGOMA will also stage the 9th Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art, featuring new and significant art from across the region, from 24th November 2018 to 28th April 2019.

QAGOMA Director Chris Saines said the record numbers marked a major milestone for the gallery, adding “this is a new record for us, and a direct result of our strong exhibition programming, which also included the newly re-imagined Australian Collection at QAG and Sung Into Being, a beautiful exhibition of Aboriginal masterworks from the Janet Holmes à Court Collection.

“In September we unveiled our newly reconfigured Australian art collection with a display of more than 200 historical and contemporary works, including an extensive display of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander works, as well as major new commissions.

“Now that Picasso: The Vollard Suite has opened at QAG, and the Me, Myselfie and I interactive space has launched at GOMA’s Children’s Art Centre, we are so thrilled that all spaces in both buildings are open to the public.

“There is also still time for people to see Gerhard Richter: The Life of Images, which continues until 4th February, and to experience Yayoi Kusama: Life is the Heart of Rainbow, which is on until 11th February.”

Images: QAGOMA's Gerhard Richter exhibition (top), Marvel: Creating the Cinematic Universe exhition (middle) and 10th anniversary (below).

25th January 2018 - BRISBANE PREPARES FOR AUSTRALIAN PERFORMING ARTS MARKET

7th September 2017 - MARVEL EXHIBITION PROVES RECORD BREAKING SUCCESS AT QAGOMA

19th July 2017 - SURVEY SHOWS 98% OF AUSTRALIANS ENGAGE WITH THE ARTS

1st July 2017 - CONSERVATION MANAGEMENT PLAN TO PROTECT QUEENSLAND CULTURAL CENTRE’S HERITAGE

14th June 2017 - SECTORS BACKED BY QUEENSLAND BUDGET

12th May 2017 - GOMA TO BE TRANSFORMED BY DRAMATIC LIGHT INSTALLATION

29th March 2017 - 500,000 VISITORS ATTEND GOMA’S 10TH BIRTHDAY PROGRAM

23rd November 2016 - MULTI-YEAR EXPANSION ANNOUNCED FOR HONG KONG DISNEYLAND 

30th October 2016 - QAGOMA AND SINGAPORE ART MUSEUM AGREE LONG TERM PARTNERSHIP

10th June 2016 - GOMA STARTS 10 YEAR CELEBRATIONS WITH ‘A WORLD VIEW’ 

Asking a small favour
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

The news we publish at www.ausleisure.com.au is independent, credible (we hope) and free for you to access, with no pay walls and no annoying pop-up ads.

However, as an independent publisher, can we ask for you to support us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine - if you don't already do so.

Published bi-monthly since 1997, the printed Australasian Leisure Management differs from this website in that it publishes longer, in-depth and analytical features covering aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism and venues management.

Subscriptions cost just $90 a year.

Click here to subscribe.