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Unlocked – Alcoa’s corporate art collection donated to community
Alcoa of Australia continues to gift our $3 million corporate art collection to galleries and health care organisations across the country, in line with our core value to make access to the arts a reality for everyone.
We began purchasing art back in 1970 and since then the benefit of ‘the arts’ has become well entrenched in the Alcoa culture. At Alcoa, we strive to help build stronger communities. We believe creativity strengthens communities and makes them more vibrant places to live and work – and for that, art is essential.
Given the Alcoa art collection included pieces by some of the country’s most acclaimed artists, such as Sidney Nolan, Jeffrey Smart, Pro Hart and Margaret Olley, it has become part of Australian history. Back in 2002, we decided our corporate art collection should be gifted to our communities.
“Our philosophy was that there was little value in having famous pieces of art locked away in our corporate offices, when they could be in public places for the whole community to enjoy for generations to come,” Alcoa of Australia Managing Director Alan Cransberg said.
“We have a core value at Alcoa to bring the arts to more people and more places. Donating our art collection helps us achieve that goal and is one additional way we can enrich communities,” he said.
Our art giving journey began with gifts to the National Gallery of Victoria, the National Gallery of Australia and the National Portrait Gallery in Canberra in 2002 and 2005 – those donations valued at around $2M.
In late 2008, we gifted 36 artworks to Perth’s Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital (SCGH) including four pieces by well-known WA artists Elizabeth Durack and William Boissevain. Our donation was valued at around $75,000.
Throughout 2009, our donations are primarily focused on regional communities. This year’s donations come in the midst of the challenging economic climate when Australian communities need corporate support more than ever.
In February, the City of Bunbury in WA’s South-West accepted 21 pieces valued at nearly $400,000 which are housed in the Bunbury Regional Art Galleries. The gift was the largest corporate donation the City of Bunbury had ever received. The donation includes work by Sidney Nolan and Arthur Boyd.
Also in February, the Mandurah Performing Arts Centre will benefit from a prized piece of work, valued at $90,000, by well-known Australian artist Margaret Olley. This will be displayed in the newly named Alcoa Mandurah Art Gallery.
The final pieces in the Alcoa art collection will reside in the Melbourne Royal Women’s Hospital and the Geelong Gallery in Victoria. The pieces include works by Pro Hart, Arthur Boyd, Ray Crooke and Sidney Nolan and are valued collectively at nearly $400,000.
Mr Cransberg said it was during times of economic challenge that communities should not be forgotten.
“We’ve all got to remember that now, more than ever, our communities need our support - and we recognise that Alcoa has a role to play in that,” he said.
Mr Cransberg said that often the most valuable contribution to communities did not involve money.
“This gesture, which I believe will leave a lasting impact on our communities, has been made at no cost to our business, which is obviously a consideration in these challenging times.
“I encourage everyone, from individuals to corporates, to look around their own backyards to see how they can help.
“While we have many community partnerships which receive financial contributions, we also have active employee volunteering programs where it is our time that is offered to not-for-profit organisations – and time is something anyone can give,” Mr Cransberg said.
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