Art historian hits out at galleries decision

Renowned West Australian art historian David Bromfield has lashed out at the Bunbury City Council’s decision to take control of the Bunbury Regional Art Galleries.

The volunteer-driven Bunbury Regional Arts Management Board and the City of Bunbury Art Collection Committee were effectively axed in a controversial council decision last week.

City administration will take over the management of the Galleries and the city’s collection of art, worth an estimated $3 million.

Dr Bromfield said the decision reinforced the council’s “national reputation for arbitrary and irrational stewardship of the Galleries”.

“Time after time it (the council) has alienated talented individuals held up funding opportunities, excellent plans and highly feasible projects, ” Dr Bromfield said.

“This reputation, now firmly reinforced, will cause all potential donors, governments, fundraisers, curators and even artists to think three times before working with the Galleries.”

City of Bunbury director of community development Stephanie Addison-Brown said community feedback highlighted a need for “more creative projects and vibrancy in Bunbury”.

She said the board had been “unable to facilitate an increased range of arts and cultural outcomes” because of limited resources and external funding.

The council will now develop a “Creative City” strategy.

Board chairwoman Beth Ferguson hit back at the council’s claims saying there was no evidence the city’s administration could run the Galleries better than an independent community organisation.

Ms Ferguson said last week’s council vote was a planned attack, designed to guarantee the board no right of reply or opportunity to defend its achievements.

South West MLC Adele Farina called the council’s decision a “vindictive” personal and political attack on former Bunbury Mayor David Smith and his wife, Tresslyn.

Mrs Smith is a board member and the chairwoman of the collection committee.

A report on the governance of the Galleries presented to the council last year claimed $110,000 could be saved by the city administration taking control of the Galleries. The report was thrown out by the council after the board fought the claim.