Minister Barr: Significant Australian exhibitions open in Canberra
- Written by ACT Government
Released 02/12/2015
Some very different and significant Australian exhibitions opened at two of the city’s popular cultural attractions tonight. The Encounters exhibition at the National Museum of Australia was officially launched as was the Tom Roberts exhibition at the National Gallery of Australia. The ACT Government, through VisitCanberra, has invested in the exhibitions’ interstate marketing to drive visitors to Canberra over the summer period via its Special Event Fund. The Fund, in which the government has invested $3.24 million, has delivered significant interstate attendance to its events, attracting in excess of 1.14 million people and supporting local jobs and delivering an economic return of around $235 million to the ACT since 2011. Encounters will reveal the powerful stories behind rare Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander objects from the British Museum’s collection. They will be displayed alongside contemporary objects from 27 communities across Australia. Significantly, it is the first time the objects have returned to Australia since being acquired during contact between early settlers and First Australians. Tom Roberts features more than 130 works of the much-loved Australian artist from his early days studying at London’s Royal Academy in 1883 until 1931. Roberts is one of the country’s most important artists of the 19th Century. Both Encounters and Tom Roberts run until 28 March 2016. This summer sees a diverse mix of events and exhibitions in Canberra. It’s a great season to invite your friends and family to visit the nation’s capital. For more information on what to see and do go to www.visitcanberra.com.au.
- Statement ends -
Section: Andrew Barr, MLA | Media Releases
