Concerned students, alumni, artists, and supporters of QUT Art Museum unite in solidarity to oppose radical cuts to its exhibition program, its associated public events and educational initiatives, and its capacity to support artists through acquisitions of culturally significant work. 

The directive from Queensland University of Technology (QUT) management to cancel the QUT Art Museum 2025 exhibition program is the latest in a raft of cost-reductions experienced by QUT Art Museum. For a relatively small cost in comparison to other QUT assets, this recent significant slash to QUT Art Museum will have major implications for the cultural and educational landscape and directly impact artists and other creative professionals who are planning to have their work and ideas showcased at the prestigious free-to-access university art museum located in central Meanjin/Brisbane. 

Considerably reducing the functions of QUT Art Museum will result in the deprivation of both students and the broader arts community of an institution that plays a pivotal role in fostering critical discourse on contemporary art practices. It will weaken opportunities for practicing artists to exhibit their work and grow further national and international exposure. It will diminish QUT’s standing in community that the university is obligated to provide a service to (service to community underpins QUT’s funding and tax-free status). It jeopardises the Times Higher Eduction ranking that measures QUT’s international standing. If the university officially cancels programs, it compromises QUT Art Museum’s capacity to accept project funds from other sources.

Artists have always adapted through hardship to lead with creativity, however artists need infrastructure to support and value them as professional creators of culture. With an increasingly decimated arts ecology in Australia, universities, with an emphasis on knowledge and research, are integral. The Arts are not simply entertainment nor a feel-good community exercise. We believe universities should be increasing support rather than reducing it. We strongly support QUT Art Museum and the pursuit of artistic and cultural excellence and implore QUT management to reconsider the decision to sever its vital functions.