Ipswich City Council delivered almost 4,000 creative and cultural events in the past year with a near 100 per cent satisfaction rating.
Cultural and Economic Development Committee Chairperson Councillor Pye Augustine said this was an excellent result as council had focussed on activating and engaging the whole of the city.
“Culturally activated cities serve as dynamic hubs that bridge age and cultural barriers to create connected communities. Cultural Services partnered with SPARK Ipswich, Galvanized, Story Arts Festival, and Planes, Trains and Autos to deliver programs and activations across the entire Ipswich local government area,” Cr Augustine said.
The 2024-2025 Community and Cultural Services Report Card: Arts and Culture, which was considered by full council this week, noted several highlights, including:
- 3,826 creative and cultural activations delivered
- 120,687 visitors to gallery exhibitions, community pop-ups, theatre, music, dance performances
- 95 per cent of attendees rated their experiences very good or excellent
- 22,014 people attended eisteddfods and dance competitions
- $1.68 million generated from the sale of 51,837 tickets
- $162,000 of donated artworks acquired for the Ipswich Art Gallery
- 38 per cent cultural venue visitors from outsides the region.
Cr Augustine said 1,750 local artists, art workers, groups, organisations and events were supported by council.
“Active partnerships with industry groups and local government bodies helped Ipswich to further the capacity building opportunities for local creatives.
“Council had secured almost $4 million from the Federal Government. This funding supports major city-centre planning and design works to drive urban renewal and future growth.”
Cr Augustine said one of the outstanding events of the year had been the Sharing the National Collection initiative, which enabled Ipswich Art Gallery to host works from the National Gallery of Australia.
A painting by renowned American artist Mark Rothko, valued at $116 million, was the high point of the display, along with works by Agnes Martin and Ipswich-born ceramicist Gwyn Hanssen Pigott.
“This was an amazing coup for the City of Ipswich. Rarely do you see artwork of this quality, value and significance made available to regional galleries,” said Cr Augustine.
“The Ipswich Art Gallery celebrated its 25th anniversary, while the Ipswich Civic Centre celebrated its 50th anniversary with 237 local artists, community groups and headline acts.
“There were so many memorable events right across the region and we continue to grow from strength to strength as a widely recognised arts and culture hotbed.
“It doesn’t matter whether it’s the Ipswich Little Theatre Society, the Ipswich Art Gallery and its attraction of renowned pieces, or Ipswich Community Gallery as a showcase for local and emerging talent, or initiatives like the Ipswich Art Awards, or Articulate workshops or Creators’ Summit, or our growing public arts boastings – there is great art and culture to be viewed across Ipswich.
“And this annual report card truly reflects a great display by council and the community.”
