46 years ago, then Mayor Rex Pilbeam stood at the opening of the Rockhampton Art Gallery on Victoria Parade and made the following declaration:
‘I solemnly charge the future citizens of Rockhampton to maintain and advance this Gallery in years to come. This is the least that we can expect of the citizens of tomorrow in return for the splendid contribution made by the citizens of today.’
Today, Rockhampton Regional Council and the community fulfils that obligation with the official opening of the Rockhampton Museum of Art.
Mayor Tony Williams said it was time to start a new chapter in the region’s arts and cultural story.
“If art decorates space, then stories decorate time and the story of the Rockhampton Museum of Art is one that will be told for decades to come,” Mayor Williams said.
“We would not be here today without the drive and determination of former Mayor Margaret Strelow and the support of the Queensland Government, the Australian Government, and, of course, the residents of the Rockhampton Region.
“The Museum of Art is more than just an art gallery. It is a new home for our community. It will be a place where children will learn about First Nations history and where adults will learn new skills in our various classes.
“And it will be a place where you can wander through quiet hallways just a stone’s throw away from both Tunuba, the Fitzroy River, and our CBD, while admiring one of the most incredible collections ever seen in regional Australia.
“It is the start of a new story for our region and one that will be told by every member of our community who visits this new museum,” Mayor Williams said.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, and Minister for the Arts Leeanne Enoch said:
“We invite Queenslanders to experience the new Rockhampton Museum of Art.
“This expansive new gallery is truly a cultural gift to Queensland. With our state ready to welcome back visitors, the new museum will be top of the list for the region’s cultural tourism experiences and will help to position Queensland on the world stage in the lead up to Brisbane 2032.
“The Queensland Government has invested $15 million in the new Rockhampton Museum of Art through the Building Our Regions program and Arts Queensland investment.
“This government acknowledges the important role of cultural infrastructure in growing regional development and creating local jobs that last well beyond the construction phase.
“Congratulations to the Rockhampton Regional Council (RRC) for leading the design and construction of the beautiful new Rockhampton Museum of Art.”
Federal Member for Capricornia Michelle Landry said she was proud the Australian Government was able to contribute $10 million in funding to the Rockhampton Museum of Art which supported local businesses who provided goods and services throughout the construction.
“The project constructed a three-storey Art Gallery within the new Cultural Precinct in Rockhampton’s CBD, allowing the Art Gallery to better showcase and preserve its nationally significant collection, including artworks by Arthur Boyd and Sidney Nolan,” Ms Landry said.
“The funding provided the relocation of the Rockhampton Art Gallery from an outdated facility to a new location which will form part of the Cultural Precinct, connecting heritage elements such as Customs House with contemporary art and culture.
“Museums act as cultural go-to places within a city and in turn, attract art lovers and tourists to both the art galleries and the city as a tourist destination.
“Attracting tourists to these art galleries can in turn boost the local economy. For instance, art lovers also eat at local restaurants, attend live shows, and stay in hotels.
“As a direct result, this behaviour boosts the local economy and in turn, creates more local jobs,” Ms Landry said.
The Rockhampton Museum of Art is now open to the public and more information can be found here: https://www.rmoa.com.au/Home
