The Griffith University Art Museum (GUAM) has been given a one-year reprieve thanks to a major property developer.

Sarazin has come to the rescue with a one-year plan to house film students who have been in temporary digs.

Late last year Professor Scott Harrison, Pro Vice Chancellor of the Arts, Education and Law Group and South Bank Provost of Griffith University announced that GUAM  might close to accommodate the university’s burgeoning bevy of film students. The university has had a good deal of success in this field, most notably with alumnus Joe Brumm being the creator of Bluey.

A consultation process was launched late last year around the viability of GUAM and Prof Harrison says the response was notable.

“Over the three weeks of the consultation, we heard from a wide cross-section of the arts community in Australia and internationally who spoke about the way in which they valued GUAM as part of the arts ecosystem,” he says.

“We also had very constructive feedback from staff and students of the Queensland College of Art and Design (QCAD) about the way in which GUAM is integral to the teaching and research of QCAD, but also opportunities to create deeper connections and greater value going forward.

“We are deeply grateful to Mr Darren Dougan, founder and CEO of Sarazin, who has generously offered to provide free accommodation for the Film School in return for recognition as a major supporter of GUAM. We have also engaged with a group of friends and alumni who are prepared to raise an additional $100,000 towards the cost of running GUAM in 2024.

“These generous supporters will allow us to extend our consideration of the future of GUAM for at least an additional 12 months, allowing us to keep faith with the exhibitions which were already scheduled for 2024.”

During this 12-month period, GUAM will be reviewed to see how it can continue on a sustainable basis and also create extra value for students and for members of the arts and broader community. Prof Harrison says this pause allows time for a considered reduction in costs and to allow supporters to work on additional sources of financial support from philanthropy, sponsorship or government.

“We are grateful to those who engaged so constructively in this process to help produce solutions to a very difficult situation,” he says. “It has been gratifying to hear the high regard in which GUAM is held in the arts community and the fact that people have been prepared to come forward to show practical support is even more appreciated.”

The response from the arts community was one of unequivocal support for GUAM. One of the most vocal supporters was a former associate professor at Griffith University, the internationally renowned Brisbane artist Pat Hoffie, who taught for many years at QCAD.

Hoffie says Griffith University has shown outstanding support for art, music, film and design over many decades and that it was important that continued.

“In fact, Griffith University’s support for the creative arts distinguishes it from other universities in the country,” Hoffie says. “The winning trifecta is comprised of the Conservatorium of Music, the Griffith Film School and the Queensland College of Art and Design. Together they form a unique world-leading arts precinct that attracts national and international students.

“The Griffith University Art Museum has also played a vital node in the iconic South Bank precinct. It has hosted a range of exhibitions, programs and publications that are exciting, engaging and challenging. It’s known for punching above its weight in terms of producing shows that can shift our focus about who we are, who we’ve been and who we could be in a rapidly changing world. And it’s also a vital teaching resource for QCAD and across the university.

“As Australia’s oldest art school, QCAD has continued to shape contemporary Queensland cultural life and to interpret who we are to the world beyond the state. It’s played a vital role in shaping our heritage, and it’s even more vitally important to our future in a world where the soft diplomacy provided by the arts is a crucial means of understanding both local and global challenges.”

In a recent article Hoffie asked “What’s a conservatorium without a performance stage? What’s a film school without an on-campus cinema? What’s an art and design college without a gallery?”

Fair questions. And while some thought the closure of GUAM was a fait accompli, that turns out not to be the case – in the short term at least.

For now, it survives and Hoffie and thousands of other students, artists and art lovers hope to build more support throughout 2024. We will let you know how that goes.

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