Art on Campus

Painting hanging in a boardroom — Minnie Pwerle, "Awelye Atnwengerrp", 2002, synthetic polymer paint on canvas. Collection of The University of Queensland, purchased with the assistance of Cathryn Mittelheuser AM in memory of Margaret Mittelheuser AM, 2017. Photo: Sam Scoufos.

UQ is passionate about its Art Collection and the benefits of sharing this public resource with staff, students and the wider public. The Art On Campus program aims to enrich campus life by connecting the UQ Art Collection with the University community. We hope to foster critical enquiry and enjoyment and appreciation of art and visual culture, and to engage with the University to create a welcoming and enlivening environment that values diversity and inclusion.

Artworks are available for display in approved spaces on UQ campuses, including secure public areas such as libraries, building foyers and reception areas where they will be accessible to a large number of people. Artworks are not generally available for individual offices.

For more information please contact UQ Art Museum's Registration Team.

Which spaces are suitable for artworks?

There are currently over 300 artworks on display across the University’s campuses at St Lucia, Herston, Gatton, Customs House, Brisbane City, Long Pocket and Pharmacology Australia Centre of Excellence (PACE).

Public spaces such as libraries, foyers, receptions, and meeting rooms are a priority for the program as they help us reach a large and diverse audience. Each space is assessed to ensure that the artwork is displayed to its best advantage and to minimise the risk of damage to the work.

Please note that the UQ Art Collection is a teaching and learning resource and artworks may need to be accessed for research in addition to conservation and artwork management.

Room features to consider:

Visibility: To best feature the artwork, walls should ideally be uncluttered. Pinboards, whiteboards and TV monitors all compete visually with paintings and detract from the experience of viewing them. Paintings are also vulnerable to damage from accidental impact.
Access: We are seeking locations that share the collection with the largest audience , but constricted spaces such as narrow corridors are not considered ideal due to the increased risk of damage.
Security: Once installed, the safety of the artwork is the responsibility of the school in which it is located. Please maintain regular checks of the artworks in your area and contact us immediately if you notice any changes.
Environment: Environmental factors such as UV light can discolour and fade different materials. Bright light, particularly direct sunlight on walls can be particularly damaging as can fluctuations in relative humidity. High humidity can also cause mould which can permanently damage surfaces.

What kinds of artworks can be displayed?

Works from the Collection suitable for display are limited to two-dimensional works, mainly paintings on canvas.
Works may not be suitable for display because of their value or significance, conservation issues and/or the condition of the work.
Some works are not available for loan due to regular use in the Collection Study Room for teaching and learning.
Works on paper are not suitable for the program because extended periods of display in high light areas damage the works beyond repair.
Three-dimensional works are generally not considered unless there is a secure, locked, built-in cabinet.

How do I request an artwork?

Artwork from the collection is displayed on an art hanging track system which will need to be installed by P&F in consultation with UQ Art Museum staff.

Members of the UQ Community are invited to email us with your request for artwork. Please include a brief summary of the space and how its conditions align with the parameters of the Art on Campus program. Include your building number, name of building, room number and type/use, e.g. foyer, reception, corridor, boardroom, etc. Photos of the room/walls are also welcome.
After sending a request, we will schedule a time to meet with you and conduct a site visit of the space. We will measure the walls and confirm the appropriateness of the room and its environment.
The artwork track is prepared by us at the Art Museum and when ready, we will send the details required for your Archibus request to P&F. They will then schedule a time for art track install and collect the track from the Art Museum prior to install.
Once the track is in place, please contact the Art Museum to schedule a time for us to install the artwork. This requires two staff members from the Art Museum and often relies on the availability of casual staff.
We have one staff member from UQ Art Museum’s registration team dedicated to this role two days a week. Please be aware we have a long list of requests for artworks coming from all UQ’s campuses and this request may take several months to complete.

Costs:

P&F may charge a small fee for installation of artwork track.
The Museum does not charge a fee for Art On Campus in publicly accessible spaces, but may charge a fee for negotiated spaces with limited or no public access.
In the instance that you require urgent artwork removal, a transport fee may apply, approximately $70-$100 for fleet vehicle hire or more if requiring an external artwork transport company, depending on the size and location of the artwork.

What kind of artwork maintenance is involved?

- Artworks may be removed by Museum staff at any time due to conservation, rest periods, other exhibition priorities and review of display locations on campus.
- We conduct an annual stocktake combined with condition checks and conservation onsite as required. We will require access to space for approximately 30 mins.
- The UQ Art Collection is a teaching and learning resource and access may also be required for researchers who wish to study the artworks in your display location.
- Artworks will need to be removed and returned to the Art Museum if any refurbishing, building, repainting, furniture rearrangement, is to be conducted in the area. We request a minimum of three weeks notice for planned activities.
- Please update UQ Art Museum staff on any changes to the contact details for those responsible for the artwork while on loan to your school/building.
- Please note, the biggest risk of damage to artworks is while handling or moving. For this reason, the golden rule is to not handle artworks unless absolutely necessary. Never attempt to move one of our artworks from its position on the wall. Should you need the artwork moved, contact us and we will endeavor to attend to the artwork as soon as possible. Please also take this into account when deciding on an artwork for the space. Make sure you are confident in your decision as we aim to avoid the double-handling of artworks.