Strategic alliances across government bodies and with the corporate sector were integral to the realisation of the ‘Story Place’ exhibition and project.

The Queensland Art Gallery gratefully acknowledges the tremendous support and contribution of principal sponsors the Queensland Government, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC), and Comalco.

principal sponsors
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The Queensland Government has a stated commitment to achieving a better quality of life for the Indigenous people of Cape York through partnerships designed to enhance social, economic and community development opportunities. The Gallery is proud to have the ‘Story Place’ project further these aims in unique and exciting ways.

In an initiative funded by the Department of Employment and Training, ten traineeships were created for Indigenous Queenslanders to work with the Queensland Art Gallery, and with artists in their own communities, in developing the exhibition.

The traineeship program has provided the young people involved with the opportunity to gain specialist arts, cultural and museological skills, and valuable experience towards pursuing a career in Queensland’s vital arts sector. In fact, at the time of writing three trainees have already secured continued employment in the arts industry — two of them at the Gallery itself — following the completion of their traineeship.

Government funding also contributed to invigorating art production in a number of the Cape’s remote communities, through the commissioning of some 20 new works for ‘Story Place’. These works are valuable additions to the Queensland Art Gallery Collection, and as such will be able to be enjoyed by future generations of Queenslanders and visitors to our state.

 
 
The Gallery is also proud to have the support of ATSIC in presenting this important exhibition for the Indigenous artists and communities of Cape York Peninsula.

The exhibition and its associated programs supports ATSIC’s mission to maintain and develop Indigenous cultures, and promote the distinct identity of the region’s Indigenous Australians.

Its focus on presenting the artists’ own words and images to tell the unique stories of their land, culture and heritage is an important step in empowering the artists of the Cape York region.

ATSIC’s support of a regional tour of the exhibition will enable a component of the Brisbane exhibition to travel to venues in Cairns, Cooktown and Townsville, bringing the show as close as logistically possible to the people of the Cape York region.

 
 
Comalco’s involvement in Cape York Peninsula started when bauxite was first discovered there in the 1950s. In March 2001, the Western Cape Communities Co-existence Agreement was signed by 11 Traditional Owner Groups, Comalco and the State Government, in recognition of land rights and in support of the social and economic development of Western Cape communities.

Comalco’s sponsorship of ‘Story Place’ represents another significant move forward in the development of an enduring and respectful relationship between the company and the Indigenous peoples of Cape York.

The Gallery extends its thanks to Comalco for its support of the project and its primary aim of recognising and promoting the unique art and culture of the region.