NGA_AR_13-14

GOAL 3 maximise support for gallery operations
AND PLANS
KEY STRATEGIES
3.1 Secure and manage the Gallery’s financial
resources.
3.2 Manage Gallery infrastructure and services.
3.3 Further develop Gallery infrastructure.
3.4 Continuously improve risk management
and corporate governance.
3.5 Secure and develop human resources.
3.6 Develop and maintain strategic
relationships.
COMMERCIAL OPERATIONS
The National Gallery of Australia generates revenue
through commercial operations that supplement
government and private funding. Commercial
activities include retail and wholesale operations,
venue hire and revenue from international and
national distribution of Gallery publications
and merchandise.
A wide selection of products and range of
publications related to the collection and to
exhibitions enables the Gallery to engage with
audiences within and beyond the Gallery,
extending and expanding the Gallery experience.
Commercial contracts include revenue collected for
the grant of a licence to a catering contractor and
revenue from venue hire at the Gallery.
Total revenue earned from commercial operations
in 2013–14 was $7.599 million, compared with
$7.342 million in the previous year.
Retail
The Gallery’s retail strategy seeks to position the
NGA Shop as a destination book and specialist
gift shop. The strategy has an emphasis on books
and design in the product offering, with a range
of special events for Gallery members such as
the annual Christmas shopping evening and
a quarterly book club that ranges from lively
group discussions to in-conversation programs
with authors around books with an art, design
or lifestyle theme. The themed exhibition shops
continue to be an integral and essential part of
the strategy.
The shop performed well this year, offering a
range of merchandise that extended access to
the Gallery’s collections and provided a lasting
memento of a visit. The popularity of the Gallery’s
exhibition program was reflected in strong sales of
product developed for our exhibitions.
The most popular merchandise continues to be
Gallery-developed product, including postcards,
greeting cards, magnets, posters, framed prints,
place mats, coasters, T-shirts and tea towels.
Exhibition catalogue sales were strong, particularly
sales of Gold and the Incas: lost worlds of Peru.
Sales of Turner from the Tate: the making of a
master and Garden of the East: photography in
Indonesia 1850s–1940s were also strong.
Wholesale and distribution
The Gallery continued to work with distributors,
nationally and internationally, to expand the
distribution of National Gallery of Australia
branded merchandise.
Venue hire
Venue hire was popular with corporate clients.
Gandel Hall provides a unique and majestic venue
for conference and event organisers, with events
ranging from working-breakfast seminars to gala
corporate dinners. Venue hire was particularly
high during the major exhibitions, with corporate
clients linking their events to exhibition tours.
Catering
In November 2013, a three-year contract was signed
with The Big Group, a Melbourne-based catering
provider. The Big Group was previously operating
NATIONAL GALLERY OF AUSTRALIA ANNUAL REPORT 2013–14 63