Gift of Giving
A moving speech by Sunshine Coast Arts Foundation Chair and Emeritus Professor Jennifer Radbourne on philanthropy and collecting art caught the attention of local art lover Deb Caruso. With permission, we share an extract for your consideration.
As the inaugural Chair of the Sunshine Coast Arts Foundation (SCAF), it was my task and privilege to develop a mission and vision for SCAF. A regional foundation is not closely linked to a company or venue or gallery, where the sense of belonging and cause are easily identified.
“It has to communicate to a diverse group of people across quite diverse places in this region: the coast, the Hinterland, the galleries, artists, arts studios, performing arts venues, families, visitors, bureaucrats, developers, business people and many others. And it needs to inspire them with a vision that no one will challenge and all will want to follow and help realise.
“We chose ‘prosperity’ as a theme for the region – the arts delivering prosperity, and a region transformed by philanthropic investment.
“The true definition of philanthropy relates to the love of mankind and practical benevolence, but the essence of philanthropy is in the intrinsic values held by donors, benefactors and philanthropic leaders.
“These values are the same values that the arts bring to society and make for a better community in which to live.
“When the philanthropic value is to acquire a work of art for a collection for a regional gallery, it may be quite different from the personal values held by an art collector, which are investment, personal passion for the work or artist, enhancement of the place where the work will be displayed, tax deductibility and possibly altruism.
“The donor of a work for a gallery collection will have additional values such as understanding the role of a gallery in a region, care or love for the region and the gallery, the experience of giving, and an appreciation of the dollar value of a collection as a regional asset.
“In fact, there is a great similarity between a philanthropist and an art collector.
“Their motivations are the same: both want to support the arts and understand the value art has within society; both want to connect with artists; both experience the joy of living with their passion; both are thrilled by the discovery of new work; both want to pass on a legacy and understand the value of collecting works that increase in value over time, and appreciate that their purchase builds on an existing collection.
“Underlying this, is strengthening the relationship with the institution and the people in it.
“So, the practice of philanthropy is multi-layered. It begins with the idea and deepens through observation, discussion, relationships, and the reflection of values.
“It then becomes concrete in terms of action or donation of the gift. When that gift is a work of art, the experience, the memory or work stays with the recipient or the viewer for a very long time.
“The art of philanthropy can be everlasting. An art collection represents our identity, a time, an artist, a prize winner, a donor, and all the visitors who see and experience the work and embed it in their minds and hearts.”
Professor Radbourne is right and we appreciate the passionate support from her and other leaders in our community. We are fortunate to have so many amazing artists in this region. From free exhibitions in one of the many art galleries to opportunities to visit local artists in their studios or engage with their work at events such as Noosa Open Studios or Sculpture on the Edge, it is a pleasure and a privilege. Why not connect with local art today? Your life will be richer for it.
