2017-03-07 Services & Organisation Committee Agenda

SERVICES & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                    7 MARCH 2017


As a cultural event, Floating Land aims to:
•     take artwork out of galleries and put it into outdoor, natural settings
•     expose people to a diversity of artworks, particularly those people who would not ordinarily
      engage with art
•     explore environmental themes to educate people and potentially change behaviour
•     provide a platform for international and national recognition for participating artists and the
      Noosa landscape
•     engage the community in the process of creating the pieces
•     encourage conversations around topical environmental issues
•     increase the skills and knowledge of local arts’ practitioners

Floating Land is different from other outdoor sculpture exhibitions such as Sculpture by the Sea,
Swell or Strand Ephemera because it requires a response to an environmental theme,
preferences ephemeral, environmentally sensitive artwork both in the making and the installation,
and does not offer sales of sculptural works.

These core purposes and unique elements are critical to its success and reputation.

3.    Options for 2017

Floating Land was last held in 2015 and, as a biennial event, is due to be staged in 2017. Given
the vacant role of Gallery Director, staff have considered achievable options for 2017.

Option 1 - Postpone Floating Land until 2018

Option 1 would postpone Floating Land to 2018. This would reduce the workload pressure on the
existing Gallery team, reduce the cost implications and allow the new Gallery Director time to
oversee the development of the event. However, postponing the event would have a negative
impact on the “Floating Land” brand and elicit a strong negative reaction from the community and
arts sector.

Given the broad expectations of Council in delivering this signature event, this option is not
recommended.

Option 2 – Preliminary Floating Land activity in 2017 leading to a main event in 2018

Option 2 proposes hosting some preliminary Floating Land activities in 2017 leading up to a main
Floating Land event and exhibition in 2018. The 2017 activities would include a small Regional
Gallery exhibition and an artist-in-residence program. This option is achievable within the
ordinary Gallery budget, it delays the major cost to 2018, involves local artists and is a
reasonable workload for the existing Gallery team. It also ensures that the major event will have
the oversight of the new Gallery Director.

While this option is operationally easily achievable, it will most likely induce a negative
community reaction and impact on the event’s reputation particularly relating to visitors who
come to see Floating Land, only to be disappointed by the minimal offering. It is also likely that it
will then be difficult to re-gain momentum for 2018. In addition, there is potential for a
disappointing minor event to bring negative connotations towards the new Gallery Director who
will have commenced in the role, which will not be helpful for their transition into the role.

Given the potential negative impact of this option, it is not recommended.



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