Townsville’s art community petitions council to develop regional art gallery

Townsville’s arts community has petitioned the council to develop a new regional art gallery. What do you think? Vote in our poll.

Townsville’s arts community has petitioned the council to develop a new regional art gallery.

An e-petition signed by about 100 people was tabled at Townsville City Council’s September meeting on Wednesday.

Townsville councillor Liam Mooney, who tabled the petition, said it was calling for action, while Mayor Jenny Hill said she understood their concerns.

Principal petitioner is Townsville veteran and artist Rob Douma who is a member of a group called Creative Art Precinct Action.

Rob Douma, a Townsville artist, has petitioned council to develop a new regional art gallery. Picture: Evan Morgan

“We propose a new Regional Art Gallery which may include but is not limited to exhibition spaces, workshop spaces, storage for the TCC art collection, to be purpose-built within a Creative Arts Precinct,” the petition says.

It says the precinct might include the Museum of Tropical Queensland, Reef HQ, a cultural centre, outdoor stage, cafe, retail activity and not-for-profit spaces.

“A purpose-built Regional Gallery within a cultural precinct close to the Strand and CBD is urgently needed to upgrade outdated and disconnected cultural spaces,” the petition says.

It says a gallery could attract major national and international touring exhibitions, improve Townsville’s cultural image and activate meeting places for visitors and artists, as well as provide art-education space for schools, TAFE, universities and the public.

Cr Hill said the council was waiting for a business case into an arts precinct to be completed by the Federal Government.

“Once we get that we’ll be able to be clear with the community where we can go and what we can do,” Cr Hill said.

Originally published as Townsville’s art community petitions council to develop regional art gallery