5 AUGUST 2016

ASIA PACIFIC TRIENNIAL DELIVERS $21.83M TO QUEENSLAND ECONOMY

Premier and Minister for the Arts Annastacia Palaszczuk today announced the summer's '8th Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art' (APT8) at the Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA) contributed an estimated $21.83 million to the economy.

'This is a great result for Queensland and QAGOMA, and the tourism value reflects the continued ability of 'The Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art' (APT) series to bolster our state as a tourism hotspot and a must-see for interstate and international visitors,' the Premier said.

'Since its launch in 1993, the APT has attracted three million visitors and gained momentum as one of Queensland and Australia's most critically-acclaimed contemporary arts events. It has an ever growing profile and influence that continues to draw impressive visitor numbers and expenditure figures.'

Minister for Tourism and Major Events Kate Jones said the Triennial was a great drawcard for Queensland and reinforced the state's reputation as a premier arts and cultural destination.

'APT8 generated more than 152,000 event-related visitor nights for Queensland, almost double the number of nights when QAGOMA showcased APT7 in 2013,' Ms Jones said.

'More than 21,000 interstate and international visitors travelled to Brisbane specifically to visit the APT8 exhibition, reflecting the growing popularity of this event.

'The Gallery's leading exhibition series is a great addition to the It's Live! in Queensland events calendar, which promotes our state to visitors and supports jobs for Queenslanders.'

'The Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art' is the only recurring exhibition in the world to survey current and new art from the region.

APT8, on show from 21 November 2015 to 10 April 2016, included artwork by 83 artists from more than 30 countries and occupied both the Queensland Art Gallery and the Gallery of Modern Art with major installations and work by leading artists from Asia and the Pacific.

APT8 was supported by the Queensland Government and Principal Partner Tourism and Events Queensland, and received significant assistance from the corporate sector and private foundations. QAGOMA particularly acknowledges the support of Principal Sponsor Audi Australia, the Tim Fairfax Family Foundation and Santos GLNG. The Australian Government supported the exhibition through the Australia Council for the Arts and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

This summer the Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) turns 10, and the event will be celebrated with a range of programs including another major tourism drawcard, the free exhibition 'Sugar Spin: You, Me, Art and Everything' featuring more than 200 artworks including many visitor favourites from the Gallery's collection.