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Outcome 1 - A rich and stimulating cultural environment

Output 1.1-Cultural support and awareness.

Description

The Department provides strategic policy advice covering the arts, cultural development and film. It administers a range of programs that support cultural excellence, give access to cultural activities, promote Australia's movable heritage, support Australian film production and develop cultural facilities.

Summary of major activities, significant issues and developments for Output 1.1

The following major activities occurred during 2000-2001:

the transfer of funding responsibility for Opera Australia and six symphony orchestras to the Australia Council was completed in accordance with the recommendations of the Major Performing Arts Inquiry;
the Department provided advice and assistance to the cultural sector in its transition to the New Tax System, including facilitating special arrangements for Indigenous artists in remote locations;
the first year of the Educational Lending Right Scheme was implemented, under which payments were made to Australian creators and publishers whose books are held in educational libraries;
the Department hosted forums to provide stakeholders in the film post-production industry an opportunity to consider how to strengthen and expand the industry;
the Department completed an evaluation of the capital raising stage of the Film Licensed Investment Company pilot scheme in conjunction with the Treasury and the Australian Taxation Office;
42 per cent of the Department's Federation Cultural and Heritage Projects were completed;
31 per cent of the Department's Federation Fund major projects were completed;
30 per cent of the Department's Federation Community Projects were completed;
the announcement by the Minister for the Arts and Centenary of the Federation, Peter McGauran MP, and the former Minister for Family and Community Services, Senator Jocelyn Newman, of the National Arts and Museums Regional Volunteers Skills Project, which will provide valuable skills to the sectors volunteer workers throughout regional Australia over the next three years;
the Department provided secretariat support for the Heritage Collections Council through the year with the completion of support material for the Heritage Sector including: Significance-a guide to assessing the significance of cultural heritage objects collections and the continued development of Australian Museums Online by increasing the level of access to digitised collections and the development of new content such as the Victorian Regional Galleries trail;
three international exhibitions were indemnified for a total value of $1.5 billion. They were: Gold and Civilisation, Renoir to Picasso, Masterpieces from the Musee de L'Orangerie, Paris; and Monet and Japan; and
the National Archives of Australia was established as an Executive Agency on 28 February 2001.

Performance Information: Output 1.1

Grant recipients provide reports on performance outcomes such as the range of performances, audience reach, critical acclaim, international response, recognition and achievements of graduating students.

The Department funded the following organisations through grants: Opera Australia; Opera Conference; State Orchestra of Victoria; and Orchestral Network Australia (six symphony orchestras). All organisations have complied with the requisite reporting requirements.

During 2000-2001 the Commonwealth provided $9.378 million in operational funding for seven arts training organisations. Achievements of these organisations included:

Students from the National Institute of Dramatic Art, Australian Ballet School, National Aboriginal and Islander Skills Development Association, the Flying Fruit Fly Circus and the Australian Youth Orchestra performed in the Olympic Games opening and closing ceremonies;
The Australian Youth Orchestra (formerly Youth Music Australia) held its national Music Camp in Canberra, and its elite chamber orchestra, Camerata Australia, toured North America and performed at Centenary of Federation events;
Australian Ballet School students trained and performed at the Conservatoire de Paris;
The Flying Fruit Fly Circus showcased at the International Society of Performing Arts conference in Sydney and performed at the opening of the National Museum of Australia in Canberra;
Australian National Academy of Music students undertook an inaugural national tour and competed successfully in several Australian and international competitions; and
National Aboriginal and Islander Skills Development Association students performed in Indonesia.

Impact of assisted touring cultural activities, festivals and indemnified exhibitions.

Playing Australia and Visions of Australia contributed to the Australia-wide delivery of quality performing arts and exhibitions, with a particular focus on audiences in regional Australia. Both programs increased the diversity and frequency of performing arts and exhibitions experiences available to Australians.

Under Playing Australia, grants included $39 855 to Musica Viva for a tour by the female a cappella quartet, Blindman's Holiday, to Western Australia, Northern Territory and Queensland. The Melbourne International Comedy Festival went on the road to eastern and western States and Territories with a grant of $110 000.

Examples of tours funded under the Visions program included the exhibition Refined White, which explores the social impact of the White Australia policy on the South Sea Islander people. The Australian Sugar Industry Museum, Innisfail, Queensland received $49 700 to tour this exhibition to Mackay, Brisbane, Caloundra, Bundaberg, Joskeleigh, Mourilyan, Gladstone, Stanthorpe, Maclean, Casula and Townsville. A Visions of Australia grant of $83 498 enabled the Museums and Galleries Foundation of New South Wales to tour the exhibition Rings of History: Contemporary Craft from Historical Timbers to venues throughout Australia, including nine regional centres.

The Contemporary Music Touring Program has supported tours by musicians to all States and Territories, giving audiences access to a diverse range of musical experiences.

Bands supported under the program included:

Prawns with Horns, a seven piece Western Australian funk band which toured South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales; and
The Flannelettes, a Queensland female a cappella group, which toured regional Western Australia performing and conducting workshops in Bridgetown, Albany, Narrogin, Margaret River, Busselton, Bunbury and Fremantle.

Festivals Australia supported cultural activities within community festivals enhancing access and participation by local communities, particularly in regional and remote locations.

Art Indemnity Australia provided public access to a large number of valuable and significant artworks and cultural treasures drawn from public and private collections around the world. Three indemnified exhibitions-exploring respectively the role of gold in international and Australian history, the influence of Japanese prints on the paintings of Claude Monet, and an overview of modern art from Renoir to Picasso-enriched Australia's cultural life and furthered art education.

Implementation of the Educational Lending Right (ELR) Scheme in accord with the approved scheme and with a high level of client satisfaction.

The ELR Scheme was implemented in accord with the approved scheme formally launched by the Minister for the Arts and Centenary of Federation, Peter McGauran on 22 June 2001. Payments totalling $7.44 million were made in June 2001 to more than 5 000 eligible creators and publishers. The objectives of the scheme is to make payments to Australian creators and publishers on the basis that income is lost when their books are held in educational libraries; and to encourage the growth and development of Australian writing.

Compliance of Grant Deeds or Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) under the Federation Fund programs with heritage, construction and audit requirements.

All Grant Deeds and MOUs have clauses requiring compliance with heritage laws. All projects of heritage significance are monitored for compliance.

All Grant Deeds and MOUs used for the Federation Fund meet the Australian National Audit Office's (ANAO) Better Practice Guide requirements. Projects are monitored for compliance with these requirements. The ANAO is currently conducting a performance audit of the Agreements and the report
is expected during the 2001-2002 financial year.

All Grant Deeds and MOUs require compliance with the National Code of Practice for the Construction Industry. Grantees are required to report to the Department on this issue.

These projects will increase employment both in the short-term through the construction industry and in the long-term through ongoing employment in the cultural tourism industry. The projects provide an opportunity to improve the conservation, documentation and accessibility of our Nation's valuable cultural and heritage collections for all Australians.

Importance of items donated under the Cultural Gifts and Bequests Program.

During 2000-2001, donations to the value of $27 million were made under the Cultural Gifts Program. These donations included many significant collections and items such as:

several Rodin sculptures;
a series of engraved plates of Australian flora collected by Sir Joseph Banks and Daniel Solander;
a substantial personal library belonging to John Curtin;
opalised fossil specimens from Lightning Ridge including a dinosaur vertebra; and
several Australian Indigenous artworks to various public collecting institutions.

The program benefited from new philanthropy incentives enacted in the income tax law by the Government in May 2000. These incentives included targeting the Cultural Gifts Program-in particular, exemption of these gifts from capital gains tax, and the option for donors to apportion their gift deductions over a period of up to five years.

The Cultural Bequests component of the Program, which ran for a three-year trial period ending in 1999-2000, is being reassessed in the light of the new incentives which replace its role to a significant extent.

Production of high quality Australian film, television and online content.

Australian Government funded productions won 64 national and international awards during 2000. Among the highlights was the Best Actress award received by Rose Byrne at the Venice Film Festival for The Goddess of 1967.

In February 2001, the Department concluded a review of the first two years, the capital raising stage, of the pilot Film Licensed Investment Companies scheme (FLICs) in February 2001.

The Department undertook a joint review of the Commonwealth Film Co-production Program with the Australian Film Commission. The review was completed in February 2001 and as a consequence, objectives for both the signing of new treaty partners and review of existing treaties will be developed.

Timely consideration of the final report of the Major Performing Arts Inquiry.

The response of Commonwealth and State/Territory Governments to the 95 recommendations of the Major Performing Arts Inquiry was agreed at a meeting of the Cultural Ministers Council in August 2000. Ministers asked to receive, at their next meeting, a report on implementation of their decisions prepared jointly by the Commonwealth and the States. An Implementation Reference Committee, chaired by the Department and including representatives of the Australia Council, State Arts Ministries and the major performing arts companies, was established to allow an exchange of stakeholder views and to monitor implementation of Ministers' decisions.

The Commonwealth and Queensland Governments agreed to the merger of the Queensland Symphony Orchestra and Queensland Philharmonic Orchestras. Queensland Orchestras Pty Ltd was established as a wholly owned subsidiary of the ABC on 30 October 2000.

Under a MOU signed with the Australia Council, funding responsibility for those major performing arts companies, hitherto funded through the Department, was transferred to the Australia Council. In accordance with the MOU, funding responsibility for Opera Australia was transferred on 1 January 2001. Funding responsibility for the symphony orchestras was transferred on 1 April 2001. Funding responsibility for the State Orchestra of Victoria will be transferred to the Council after its corporatisation on 1 July 2001.

Funding for the Opera Conference will be provided in future as part of the grants paid to Opera Australia and State Opera Companies.

The number and location of performances by national organisations of cultural excellence, and the number of graduating students.

Assistance provided to Opera Australia enabled 196 performances of 17 operas in Sydney and Melbourne in 2000, including Fledermaus, Guilio Cesare, Les Pecheurs de Perles, Idomeneo, The Marriage of Figaro, Don Carlo, Capriccio, The Gondoliers, Madame Butterfly, The Abduction from the Seraglio and A Midsummer Night's Dream. There were also 392 performances in New South Wales and Victorian regional and metropolitan schools.

OzOpera, the touring arm of Opera Australia, gave 16 performances of Rigoletto in New South Wales, Tasmania and Victoria.

The Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra accompanied Opera Australia and The Australian Ballet during its Sydney seasons.

Commonwealth support to the State Orchestra of Victoria in 2000 enabled it to accompany Opera Australia and The Australian Ballet for 117 performances in Melbourne. The State Orchestra of Victoria also undertook concert, recording and educational activities.

The six orchestras in Orchestral Network Australia gave 780 concerts in 2000-2001, including 214 schools concerts and 39 free concerts.

Overall, performance numbers were similar to those for 1999-2000.

The number of graduating students in 2000 from the centres of excellence, funded under the Cultural Development Program, is as follows:

National Institute of Dramatic Arts	60
Australian Ballet School	24
National Aboriginal and Islander Skills Development Association	5
Flying Fruit Fly Circus	12
Australian National Academy of Music	53*
Australian Youth Orchestra	291*
* Participating students (rather than graduates).

Number and geographic range of performance tours, festivals and cultural exhibitions assisted, and number and value of international exhibitions indemnified.

Access to Australia's culture for people living in regional and rural Australia is enhanced and promoted by Playing Australia, Festivals Australia and Visions of Australia.

Playing Australia supported 42 performing arts tours ($3.6 million), with 366 visits to regional venues in all States and Territories.

A total of 61 tours received funding ($678 000) through the Contemporary Music Touring Program and will be seen in venues in all States and Territories, with 87 per cent of bands touring to regional destinations.

Festivals Australia assisted 61 regional and community festivals ($887 000). An estimated 70 per cent of Festivals Australia funds were distributed to regional or remote communities.

Visions of Australia funded 40 exhibitions ($1.7 million), with 126 visits to regional venues in all States and Territories. The exhibitions funded included 24 touring and 16 development or start-up projects.

Overall, these figures are similar to those for 1999-2000.

Three major exhibitions with a total value of $1.5 billion were indemnified and toured to five Australian capital cities during the financial year. The total number of visitors to these exhibitions was 456 917.

Increase in online access to cultural information.

Online access to the websites of Australia's culture and recreation sectors is provided by the new Culture and Recreation Portal (www.cultureandrecreation.gov.au ). Developed from the earlier Australia's Cultural Network site, the new portal was launched by the Hon Peter McGauran MP, Minister for the Arts and Centenary of Federation, at the OZeCulture Conference on 13 June 2001. Providing access to more than 1 800 Australian websites on arts and culture, sport and recreation, the portal records approximately 120 000 visits per month. The portal also sends a regular newsletter to 6 000 subscribers with news and events from the culture and recreation areas. The portal offers assistance and advice to contributor organisations about their use of the online economy.

The OZeCulture program has offered education and training to the cultural sector on the use of the online environment to achieve operational success. A national program of workshops and short consultancies and telephone and email assistance was offered during March to July 2001. These services were offered at a nominal cost in all capital cities and a number of regional centres including Alice Springs, Orange and Townsville. The OZeCulture Conference was held in Melbourne from 13 to 14 June 2001. Enhanced by an exhibition of Australian new media art, the intent of this conference was to further highlight the potential of the information economy and digital technologies for both creative purposes and business operations of the cultural sector. More than 300 people attended from Australia and overseas.

Increase in the level of private sector support for the arts and humanities.

The Australian Business Arts Foundation estimates the value of partnerships it has assisted, between corporations and the arts, as around $4 million.

New tax incentives announced by the Government in 1999 and enacted in May 2000 further assisted 820 gift-deductible cultural groups on the Register of Cultural Organisations which can now accept and grant deductions for gifts of appreciated property, such as real estate, over $5 000.

In 2000-2001, tax deductible cash donations of $20 million were received by organisations on the Register. This represented an increase of $7 million from the previous year.

The value of cultural item gifts to public museums, art galleries and libraries under the Cultural Gifts Program in 2000-2001 was $27 million-an increase of some $13 million from the previous year.

Support for contemporary visual arts and access to their work.

Artbank supports contemporary Australian artists through the acquisition of their works and operates an art rental scheme to fund this activity. It is the largest collection of Australian art for rent and during 2000-2001, Artbank continued to expand with 111 new clients across Australia. At 30 June 2001, there were 6 245 artworks on hire to private and public sector clients throughout Australia and overseas.

Works from the collection are often sought for special exhibitions. During 2000-2001, 11 works from the collection were made available on temporary loan for exhibitions. A series of educational lectures on the Artbank collection was also given throughout the year to a variety of special interest groups.

The collection is valued at $13 304 018 at 30 June 2001.

Number and timeliness of applications processed under the Protection of Movable Cultural Heritage Act 1986.

The Department provides policy advice and secretariat services to the National Cultural Heritage Committee. In 2000-2001 the Committee met eight times, including four times by telephone hook-up.

A total of 118 applications for export permits covering 742 objects were processed in 2000-2001, with the Minister refusing permits for four objects. Straightforward applications take an average of five weeks, but potentially contentious and complex applications can take longer due to the requirement for additional research and assessment by Expert Examiners.

Three appeals were heard by the Administrative Appeals Tribunal in response to applicants seeking review of the Minister's decisions to refuse export permits. In all cases the Minister's decisions were upheld by the Tribunal.

Level of domestic audience reach by Commonwealth film and television investments.

Australian films accounted for eight per cent of domestic box office share in 2000, compared to three per cent the previous year. Films financed by the Australian Film Finance Corporation (FFC) and under Division 10BA of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936, were responsible for this result.

Output 1.2-Increase awareness, knowledge and understanding of the Centenary of Federation and encourage participation in events celebrating
the Centenary.

Description

The Department provides the Secretariat that supports and advises the National Council for the Centenary of Federation in developing and coordinating an inclusive approach to the celebrations to mark the Centenary of Federation in 2001.

The National Council develops strategies to promote awareness and understanding of the Centenary across the community, for planning and coordinating a range of national events and celebrations to mark the centenary, and for administering a History and Education Program. These strategies aim to support activities that encourage Australians to gain a better understanding of the processes that led to Federation, to reflect on 100 years of Australian achievements, and to look to Australia's future as a nation.

Summary of major activities, significant issues and developments for Output 1.2

The Secretariat provided support to five meetings of the National Council during the 2000-2001 financial year. Advice was given on key issues for the National Council's deliberations, including:

the Communications Strategy;
the History and Education Program;
national events and celebrations, including Centrepiece events managed by State and Territory Committees;
the Sponsorship Program; and
merchandising.

The Centenary Year was promoted through magazine inserts, television community service announcements, advertisements, the National Council's website, corporate displays, various publications including a regular newsletter, brochures and fact sheets, media interest and through non-paid coverage of the centenary.

The National Council has also encouraged and assisted other organisations in promoting the centenary. Examples include:

The Royal Australian Mint's Centenary of Federation commemorative coin series, both collectable and circulatory, which includes the State/Territory 20 cent piece school design competition;
Centenary of the Australian Army;
Centenary of the Australian Public Service; and
London to Sydney Air Race.

During the year, the National Council secured sponsorship from BHP for the People's Voice project, AMP for the AMP Journey of a Nation: Federation Expo, and AAT Kings for the Yeperenye Federation Festival.

Half the major celebrations and 'centrepiece' events for the Centenary Year have occurred in the 2000-2001 financial year. They were:

Australia Week, 2-9 July 2000, London, United Kingdom;
Launch of the National Centenary Program, 8 November 2000 in Canberra;
International Messages of Congratulations from 80 world leaders (published on the National Council's website on 1 January 2001);
New Dawn, 1 January 2001, Alice Springs, Northern Territory;
Ringing the Bells, 1 January 2001, nation-wide;
Federation Day, 1 January 2001, Sydney, New South Wales;
Federation Frontline, 19 February 2001, Darwin, Northern Territory;
A Capital Celebration, 12 March 2001, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory;
A Nation United, 9 May 2001, Melbourne, Victoria;
Medallions for Primary School Students, 9 May 2001, nation-wide.

Additionally, the 100 Centenary of Federation Youth Envoys participated in the launch of the National Centenary Program, and the 'centrepiece' events in Sydney and Melbourne.

All centrepiece events have been developed by the National Council and State and Territory Committees for the Centenary Year. Partnership funding arrangements have been settled with all States and Territories.

Social justice and equity

The National Council for the Centenary of Federation has adhered to a principal objective to develop and plan activities that include all Australians.

Performance information: Output 1.2

The National Council and the Minister are satisfied with Secretariat services, quality and timeliness.

Of the five National Council meetings held during the 2000-2001 financial year, all meeting papers were provided to Councillors at least one week prior to the meeting. The Secretariat gives priority to all Ministerial matters.

The communications strategy and the celebratory activities are integrated to ensure widespread community knowledge and interest in the activities relevant to the community.

Research has been undertaken to ascertain the community's preferences to mark the Centenary.
This has informed the development of the planned celebrations.

The effective and efficient administration of the History and Education Program.

A total of 124 grants have been offered to organisations and individuals for projects, most of which will culminate by the end of 2001. A number of variations to grants have been negotiated by the Secretariat to reflect changing circumstances of some grant recipients.

Sixty-three projects funded under the History and Education Program delivered final outputs during the 2000-2001 financial year.

Levels of awareness across the community of the Centenary and proposed celebratory activities increase (as measured by community sample surveys).

In 1999, just 32 per cent of the population had any awareness of the Centenary Year.
This increased to 80 per cent of the population by January 2001.

A range of national celebratory activities is delivered around the country featuring at least one major event in each State and Territory. A major event featured approximately every month of 2001, leading ultimately to widespread community involvement.

The National Council Secretariat and Secretariats in each State and Territory are working together to organise centrepiece events for the National Centenary Program. The centrepiece events will be spread throughout the year and around the nation in capital cities, and regional and remote areas, culminating in a finale in Canberra in late 2001.

The Australia-wide National Centenary Program currently includes 3 364 events, projects and activities which are taking place across the country throughout 2001. The National Council and State and Territory Centenary of Federation Committees are continually adding to the Program, as communities, individuals and organisations develop their own commemorative activities.

The National Council has provided funding to a number of overseas Australian Embassies and High Commissions to enable them to enhance their public diplomacy programs in the Centenary Year.

Output 1.3-Understanding and knowledge of Australian history, culture and portraiture through access to Old Parliament House and the National Portrait Gallery.

Description

The Department is responsible for managing Old Parliament House (OPH) and the National Portrait Gallery (NPG). Key activities include conservation, interpretation and maintenance of the OPH building and its collections as a major heritage site and museum of social and political history and development of a nationally significant collection of portraits of subjects who have made a major impact on Australia.

Summary of major activities, significant issues and developments for Output 1.3

The OPH Governing Council met three times during the year. The NPG Board met four times during the year.
OPH Council approved the OPH Interpretation Plan 2000-2005 which provides a framework for interpretation of the historic significance of OPH.
OPH presented seven temporary exhibitions, numerous major events (including exhibition launches, the OPH Open Day and anniversary celebrations) and introduced two new or substantially revised tours.
OPH introduced an innovative museum theatre experience as part of its commemoration of the Centenary of Federation. Kings Hall 9 attracted strong audiences and provided an entertaining and educational introduction to the issues and personalities leading up to Federation.
23 537 school students (up from 20 981 the previous year) participated in schools programs conducted by OPH. The level of interactivity and participation by students was increased when the education program was revamped with a range of new programs and activities.
Conservation of key heritage spaces in OPH was undertaken and detailed heritage studies were commissioned to provide further information on the significance and management of major precincts of OPH.
Work was completed on the refurbishment of the Senate Wing of OPH to house the Australian Federation Centre (AFC). The Government had committed $5.5 million from the Federation Fund for this purpose. The Australian Electoral Commission's Electoral Education Centre has now relocated to the AFC, commencing operations in February 2001.
During the year OPH and the NPG received approximately 172 000 visitors.
During the year the NPG presented ten temporary exhibitions and toured five exhibitions to other States.
The NPG Board approved the acquisition of 53 works for the permanent collection. Notable donations included portraits of Sir Zelman Cowen, Robert Dessaix, Jill Ker Conway and Jack Lang.
A particularly notable acquisition was the NPG's purchase of Portrait of Captain James Cook RN 1782, in July 2000, by the Commonwealth Government with the generous support of Mr Robert Oatley and Mr and Mrs John and Julie Schaeffer. The Prime Minister, John Howard unveiled the portrait on 16 August 2000.
On Saturday 24 February 2001, the second NPG Anniversary Lecture entitled Daughters, Wives, Mothers and Mistresses: Women in the National Gallery, London, was presented by Mr Neil MacGregor, Director, National Gallery, London.
The NPG received $2 875 052 in cash donations and $47 500 in sponsorship from a number of major sponsors during the year. Major sponsors and supporters included the Gordon Darling Foundation, the Myer Foundation, wwwicked and DiskTech.
The NPG was a beneficiary of the late Mr Basil Bressler of Sydney, with upwards of $270 000 in funds to be used for the purchase of portraits by living Australian artists. The Hon Justice Michael Kirby AC CMG launched the Basil Bressler Bequest on 23 May 2001.
The NPG website received more than two million hits during the year. It continued to be a resource for people interested in portraiture, gallery events and the NPG collection.
The Portrait Archive, a collaborative online database of Australian portraiture, was published in November 2000.

Performance Information: Output 1.3

Refurbish and maintain OPH in accordance with the building master plan.

OPH is being refurbished and maintained in accordance with the long-term Master Building Plan. Major capital works were ongoing during the year and included the substantial completion of the fire detection, emergency systems upgrade, the heating and cooling systems upgrade and removal of hazardous materials from the main building and the Senate Wing.

Refurbishment of the Senate Wing of OPH to house the Australian Federation Centre was completed in early 2001.

The front-of-house services at OPH were enhanced with further improvements to the disabled and schools access area and refurbishment of the cloaking area.

Enhance visitor experience at OPH by providing high quality visitor services and innovative and accessible interpretation activities.

Activities included:

conservation, interpretation, maintenance and upgrading of OPH/NPG and its collections;
provision of a range of public programs, including tours, exhibitions, interpretation, seminars, lectures and education activities for young people;
establishment of the first phase of the Australian Federation Centre;
further development of a National Register of Australian Portraits;
marketing and promotion; and
provision of quality catering, restaurant and conference facilities.

OPH presented a wide range of public events complementing each exhibition to enhance the visitors' experience, including:

lectures and associated events to complement major exhibitions, such as Within The Walls
and Dismissed!;
continued development of education programs for schools, including a popular new program focusing on Federation;
the OPH live music program with more than 50 professional and amateur musical groups performing in the Senate Chamber and Kings Hall;
continuation of the popular Super Sleuth discovery trail for children, which has helped increase the interest of large numbers of young people in OPH and generated consistently positive feedback;
25 children/adults holiday workshops; and
the OPH Open Day on 5 May 2001 to celebrate the 74th anniversary of the opening of the House.

OPH conducted several intakes of new volunteer guides. Their recruitment and intensive training has helped to both enhance the quality of the information provided to visitors and provide a valuable resource for the operation of the House.

Measures to increase public understanding of the role and history of OPH include improvements to interpretive material in the building's publicly accessible spaces and new interpretive and educational activities.

The NPG presented a range of public programs to complement its exhibitions including public lectures, informal gallery talks and art-enrichment holiday workshops. Learning programs were presented to 7 204 primary, secondary and tertiary students.

OPH and the NPG continued to develop merchandise for sale in the OPH shop to provide a service for visitors. Staff have also continued to work with the functions and restaurant contractor to improve services, promote activities and ensure a high standard of visitor experience.

Manage OPH collections and conserve the heritage significance of OPH.

OPH undertook a major program of conservation works in Kings Hall and the House of Representatives and Senate Chambers.

OPH commissioned a series of detailed heritage studies of the major precincts of OPH to provide detailed advice on the conservation of the building.

Development of a comprehensive database of the furniture, fabric and fittings of the building is continuing.

Develop a national collection of Australian portraits which is recognised for its national inclusiveness and quality.

During the year the National Portrait Collection was further enhanced by the acquisition of more than 53 significant works for the permanent collection. A National Online Portrait Archive was established with the support of the Myer Foundation to create a national database of portraiture, allowing electronic access to the NPG's entire collection.

Develop the NPG as a centre for the understanding of Australian portraiture and history.

The NPG presented eight exhibitions, three lectures (including the Anniversary Lecture), four seminars and numerous floor talks.

Increase general visitor numbers and the numbers of school and college groups participating in OPH and NPG education programs by 10 per cent.

During the year OPH and the NPG received more than 172 000 visitors, a level similar to the previous year. The visitor numbers reflect the negative impact of the Sydney Olympics on interstate visitors to Canberra early in the financial year. Visitor numbers have, nevertheless, shown a steady increase since that time.

Deliver eight core tours daily and 45 specialist tours per year.

One new specialist tour was introduced during the year- Secrets of the House. In addition, the specialist Dismissal! tour was extensively revamped to complement the Dismissed! Exhibition, commemorating the 25th anniversary of the dismissal of the Whitlam Government.

In addition to the core Behind the Scenes and Heart of the House tours, which are offered eight times per day, OPH now has five specialist tours covering a wide range of themes and interests that can be offered at appropriate times and occasions. Specialist tours operated 81 times through the year.

Develop ten new interpretive activities during the year.

In addition to the new and revamped tours and Kings Hall 9 (outlined below), new interpretive
activities included:

new interpretive role-plays for schools, based on the Kings Hall 9 characters;
new interpretive panels in various locations;
reconnection of the Opposition Whip's office monitor to cameras in the House of Representatives;
political history training for volunteer guides;
commencement of oral history interviews, establishment of oral history database and a community function for former OPH employees as part of the oral history program;
acquisition of Federation-related items and other political memorabilia, including material related to Sir Robert Menzies;
interpretive way-stations established in several key locations in OPH; and
restoration of furniture and reproduction of relevant artworks for the Speaker's Suite.

Undertake four OPH exhibitions, two major and 12 targeted OPH events.

OPH presented seven exhibitions in 2000-2001:

Within The Walls, in conjunction with the Sydney Jewish Museum;
The 2000 Sporting Prize, in conjunction with the NPG;
The Art of Place (The Fifth National Indigenous Art Award, coordinated by the Australian Heritage Commission);
Terra Nova-A Land of Milk and Honey;
Dismissed! Whitlam, Fraser, Kerr and the story of 1975;
It's an honour-Australia; and
Australians of the Year.

OPH commissioned its first 'museum theatre' production. The Kings Hall 9 brought to life the bronze bas reliefs in Kings Hall in a number of theatrical pieces telling the story of those who campaigned for a democratic Australia. Some 52 performances were held in March and April 2001, coinciding with school holidays and ACT Centenary of Federation activities.

OPH celebrated its 74th anniversary with a Federation themed open day on 5 May 2001 which linked with the Australian Parliament House and the National Archives of Australia.

A range of targeted events was undertaken throughout the year including themed workshops for adults and children during holiday periods; lectures, specialist tours and other activities which complemented the exhibitions.

Undertake seven NPG exhibitions of which three will tour to other States, two NPG seminars and one anniversary lecture.

The NPG presented ten temporary exhibitions in 2000-2001:

Headspace: An exhibition of student portraits;
The Athlete: Sporting Portraits by Anderson and Low;
Heads of the People: A Portrait of Colonial Australia;
Olympic Gold Medallist Exhibition;
Cavalcade of Scientists;
David Moore: From Face to Face;
Best of British: Contemporary Portraits from NPG London;
Legends: The art of Walter Barnett 1862-1934;
Polly Borland Australians; and
Téte-à-téte: Portraits by Henri Cartier-Bresson.

The following NPG exhibitions toured the country:

Legends: The art of Walter Barnett 1862-1934 was exhibited at the State Library of New South Wales from 23 December 2000 to 18 February 2001 and at Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery from 1 June 2001 to 15 July 2001;
Recognition: Percy Leason's Aboriginal Portraits was exhibited at the Ian Potter Museum of Art, University of Melbourne from 17 October 2000 to 19 November 2000;
Upfront: Faces of Australians at War (developed in partnership with the Australian War Memorial) was exhibited at the Newcastle Regional Art Gallery from 5 June 2000 to 30 July 2000;
Polly Borland Australians was exhibited at Monash Gallery of Art, Melbourne from 29 June 2001 to
5 August 2001; and
Glossy: Faces Magazines Now was exhibited at George Adams Gallery, Melbourne from 1 September 2000 to 8 October 2000.

The NPG presented three portraiture seminars in Melbourne, Perth and Sydney to raise awareness and enhance understanding of portraiture.

NPG lectures and seminars included:

Portrait of an Architect: Constructing Architectural Identity- an international symposium hosted by the School of Fine Arts, Classical Studies and Archaeology in partnership with the NPG, was held at the University of Melbourne on 12 August 2000;
Portraiture and Photography- a national symposium, was held by the NPG at the Art Gallery of Western Australia, Perth on 28 October 2000;
The Aspects of Colonial Portraiture- a series of lectures, was held in conjunction with Heads of the People;
Portraits by Ingres: Images of an Epoch- a lecture by Dr Philip Conisbee, Senior Curator of European Painting, National Gallery of Art, Washington was presented on 13 November 2000;
Making Faces, Making Waves: the hazardous business of commissioning portraits- a lecture by Ms Honor Clerk of the National Portrait Gallery, London presented on 18 November 2000;
Daughters, Wives, Mothers and Mistresses: Women in the National Gallery London- the NPG's Second Anniversary Lecture was delivered by Neil MacGregor, Director of the National Gallery London, on 24 February 2001; and
Likeness; Portrait and Photography- held in conjunction with the Sydney College of Arts on
5 May 2001.

Exhibition programs at OPH and the NPG were supported by market research into visitors to the House, as well as targeted marketing campaigns including launches, advertising and media liaison. OPH and the NPG were also strongly involved in promoting links with the Canberra tourism industry to raise awareness of the range of exhibitions, programs and facilities they offer to visitors.

Increase the number of donated works to the NPG collection.

The NPG received $47 500 in sponsorship and $2 875 052 in cash donations during 2000-2001 compared with a total of $157 000 in 1999-2000.
18 works were donated to the NPG during the year, compared with 20 in 1999-2000.

Complete the refurbishment of the lower and main floors of the South-West (Senate) Wing of OPH to house the Australian Federation Centre by February 2001.

Refurbishment of the Australian Federation Centre in the Senate Wing was completed on schedule in February 2001.

Output 1.4-New facilities for the National Museum of Australia and the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies.

Description

To help preserve and promote Australia's heritage, the Commonwealth has built new facilities for the National Museum of Australia (NMA) and the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) on Acton Peninsula, Canberra.

Summary of major activities, significant issues and developments for Output 1.4

Formal approval to proceed with the project was given in July 1998. The project was completed on 9 March 2001 at the projected cost of $155.4 million including $147 million from the Federation Fund. Works beyond the original agreed scope of the project, requested and funded by the NMA at a cost of $2.4 million were also provided.
A Construction Coordination Committee, established by the Minister for the Arts and
Centenary of Federation, Peter McGauran oversaw the project which comprised representatives of the Department, National Capital Authority, ACT government, NMA and AIATSIS.
The Construction Coordination Committee met three times in 2000-2001. The Acton Peninsula Project Task Force provided secretariat support for the Committee. It also provided policy advice to the Minister on the construction, administration of the National Museum of Australia Act 1980 and, through the Minister, provided two progress reports to the Joint Parliamentary Committee on Public Works.
The project was delivered by the Acton Peninsula Alliance-a team representing the Commonwealth and Australian Capital Territory Governments, the architects, exhibition designers and building and service providers who jointly contracted for the initiative.

Performance Information: Output 1.4

Buildings, landscaping and exhibitions independently recognised as being of high quality and facilities fully functional at a level suitable for national cultural institutions.

The Acton Peninsula Alliance agreement with the architects, building contractors and exhibition designers included strong incentives to ensure completion on time, within budget and to a high quality. Measures were established to independently assess the design integrity and quality of the buildings.

The Design Integrity Panel found that the design integrity of the project was sustained through all design and construction stages. The Quality Panel in its interim assessment at the time of opening (final assessment does not take place until 12 months after the opening) found that the project had substantially achieved the specified quality objectives to a very high level.

Project time and budget milestones are met.

The project was completed within budget in time for the formal opening by the Prime Minister
on 11 March 2001.

Document ID: 12540 | Last modified: 6 February 2008, 9:46am