• Section 1 - Introduction
• Section 2 - Statement of Authority
• Section 3 - Compliance
• Section 4 - Intent
• Section 5 - Relevant Definitions
• Section 6 - Policy
• CDU Art Gallery
• Northern Editions Gallery
• Nan Giese Gallery
• Section 7 - Non-Compliance

Section 1 - Introduction

(1) The University is committed to the planned, coordinated and strategic use of its formal gallery spaces in which the University’s cultural collections, other collections and artworks or curated exhibitions created by students and staff may be exhibited to enhance and respond to the University’s teaching, research and community engagement goals.

(2) While the University’s galleries will be predominantly used for the display of visual art, they may also from time to time be used for the display of other cultural items or collections, either internal or external, as deemed appropriate and educational in line with the University’s goals.

Section 2 - Statement of Authority

(3) The authority behind this policy is the Charles Darwin University Act 2003 part 3, section 15.

Section 3 - Compliance

(4) This is a compliance requirement under the Charles Darwin University Act 2003 part 3, section 15.

Section 4 - Intent

(5) The intent of this policy is to provide a framework for the strategic and coordinated use of the University’s galleries for the display of the University’s Art Collection, other collections and artworks or curated exhibitions created by students and staff members.

Section 5 - Relevant Definitions

(6) In the context of this document:

1. University galleries means the CDU Art Gallery located in the Chancellery, the Nan Giese Gallery and the Northern Editions Gallery.

Section 6 - Policy

(7) The University will manage the use of its gallery spaces to enhance and optimise teaching, learning and community engagement goals through annual exhibition programs open to students, staff members and the public.

(8) Opportunities for complementary or collaborative exhibitions in the University’s galleries will be explored, as appropriate, by Gallery Curators/Managers in developing exhibition programs.

(9) Exhibitions or displays in the University’s galleries will be made accessible to staff members, students and the public through regular opening times as far as resources allow.

CDU Art Gallery

(10) The CDU Art Gallery is primarily dedicated to the presentation of professionally curated, visual art exhibitions that feature the CDU Art Collection, collections of other public cultural institutions and private collectors and /or touring exhibitions.

(11) An annual exhibition program will be determined by the University’s Curator and submitted to the CDU Art Gallery Advisory Committee for endorsement and approval by the Vice-Chancellor.

(12) All approaches and recommendations for programming of exhibitions are to be presented to the Curator in the first instance to ensure that the quality, program mix, management and resources required for the delivery of the exhibition program is appropriately assessed. Following endorsement by the Curator, a written proposal will be submitted to the CDU Art Gallery Advisory Committee for endorsement and to the Vice-Chancellor for approval.

(13) CDU Art Gallery exhibition programing will:

1. be developed on a three (3) year cycle updated annually as plans and proposals become firm commitments;
2. incorporate regular displays of the permanent holdings of the CDU Art Collection in either Collection-focused exhibitions or as a complementary feature of thematic exhibitions or externally curated loan exhibitions;
3. consider how each exhibition might contribute to or enhance the teaching and research foci of the University’s School of Creative Arts and Humanities, Northern Editions Print Making Studio and other University priorities such as Indigenous leadership and engagement;
4. reflect, support and strengthen the University’s artistic and cultural development objectives in Northern Australia and nearby Southeast Asia;
5. foster partnership relationships with regional, Territory, national and international stakeholders which further advance the strategic objectives of the University;
6. include works of art created by members of the University community, in particular those represented in the CDU Art Collection or who have established professional careers as artists;
7. include guest-curated and external exhibitions of regional, national and international significance;
8. include solo retrospective exhibitions of work by selected artists who have demonstrated a professional, sustained and in depth connection to Northern Australia, in particular the Northern Territory;
9. give priority to exhibition exchanges with benefactors, public collecting and exhibiting institutions including (but not exclusive to) university art collections, galleries and museums in partnership with the University, in particular art museums and galleries that are members of University Art Museums Australia;
10. foster and strengthen relationships with other university art museums, collections and galleries, and national or international public collecting and exhibiting institutions, benefactors and donors; and
11. consider the scheduling and content of other proposed exhibitions by Northern Territory public collecting and exhibiting institutions, in particular those in Darwin, to avoid duplication of exhibition content and to enable opportunities for collaborative and complementary programing to be explored.

Northern Editions Gallery

(14) The Northern Editions Gallery is primarily used for the display of limited edition prints arising from the Northern Editions Print Making Studio that are available for sale. The display of work by printmaking students and staff members may also be included from time to time. The imperative for the Northern Editions Gallery to be an effective commercial outlet for the Northern Editions’ collection of limited edition prints will be considered foremost in planning of exhibitions and displays.

(15) Northern Editions Gallery exhibition programing will:

1. be developed and managed by the Northern Editions Manager on an annual cycle and approved by the Pro Vice Chancellor Law, Education Business and Arts;
2. encourage the involvement of internship curators and support School of Creative Arts and Humanities programs;
3. balance high level exhibitions by prominent artists as well as emerging artists and students;
4. consider the scheduling and content of exhibitions to be held in the CDU Art Gallery and Nan Giese Gallery to avoid duplication of exhibition content and to enable opportunities for collaborative and complementary programing to be explored; and
5. consider the scheduling and content of other proposed exhibitions by Northern Territory public collecting and exhibiting institutions, in particular those in Darwin, to avoid duplication of exhibition content and to enable opportunities for collaborative and complementary programing to be explored.

Nan Giese Gallery

(16) The Nan Giese Gallery is used primarily as an innovative and experimental exhibition space for the display of work and related activities of the School of Creative Arts and Humanities.

(17) Nan Giese Gallery programing will:

1. be developed and managed by the School of Creative Arts and Humanities on an annual basis and as need arises;
2. feature work by staff members, students, alumni, visiting or invited artists, artists-in-residence and selected internal or external exhibitors that support the School’s core objectives, initiatives and activities;
3. support key Higher Degree by Research exhibitions and outputs to enhance the University’s Masters and PhD programs;
4. encourage innovative interdisciplinary connections between visual arts and other research areas and disciplines of study;
5. consider the scheduling and content of exhibitions to be held in the CDU Art Gallery and Northern Editions Gallery to enable opportunities for collaborative and complementary programing to be explored; and
6. consider the scheduling and content of other proposed exhibitions by Northern Territory public collecting and exhibiting institutions, in particular those in Darwin, to avoid duplication of exhibition content and to enable opportunities for collaborative and complementary programing to be explored.

Section 7 - Non-Compliance

(18) Non-compliance with Governance Documents is considered a breach of the Code of Conduct – Staff or the Code of Conduct – Students, as applicable, and is treated seriously by the University. Reports of concerns about non-compliance will be managed in accordance with the applicable disciplinary procedures outlined in the Charles Darwin University and Union Enterprise Agreement 2022 and the Code of Conduct – Students.

(19) Complaints may be raised in accordance with the Code of Conduct – Staff and Code of Conduct - Students.

(20) All staff members have an individual responsibility to raise any suspicion, allegation or report of fraud or corruption in accordance with the Fraud and Corruption Control Policy and Whistleblower Reporting (Improper Conduct) Procedure.