Bunbury Regional Art Gallery could be set for management shake up with establishment of a BRAG Foundation

The Bunbury Regional Art Gallery could be set for a shake up of its leadership, with the establishment of a foundation a potential option to generate funds for the popular art hub. But before the foundation can be established, the City of Bunbury’s Foundation Concept Review, which was completed in September last year, stated there were a number of issues to be addressed. The potential management changes come after councillors requested City staff to review the governance of the BRAG in 2018 following the resignation of the then director. Later, at a meeting in August 2019, the council requested the chief executive to draft terms of reference for the establishment of a BRAG Foundation. Council documents from the meeting on July 7, 2022, said it was recommended that the establishment of a foundation be deferred until a new director was employed, marketing, promotion and stakeholder engagement strategies were developed, and the development of a strategy outlining long-term vision and commitment was endorsed by the council. Further, the BRAG Foundation Concept Review recommended the need for the foundation be reviewed in another 12 to 24 months based on the outcomes of the strategy. At a meeting on June 7, the council voted to request the BRAG Advisory Group decide prior to June 2023 whether to endorse the long-term strategic plan for the gallery — which will include whether a foundation should proceed.