A new home for premier art journal

The Victorian College of the Arts (VCA) will be the new home for Australia’s most prestigious art journal following a generous gift from a noted publisher.

Collection of artCollection of art

Donor Eleonora Triguboff is the owner, editor and publisher of Art & Australia – Australia’s longest-running art journal. Art & Australia has had its current title since 1963 and will celebrate its centenary in 2016.

A revitalised Art & Australia will be relaunched from its new base at the VCA, with Professor Su Baker, Director of the VCA, taking on the role of editor-in-chief. Dr Edward Colless will meantime join the journal as editor and Ms Triguboff will become the honorary Chair.

The publication has played a significant role in the documentation of Australian art history, with editors and advisers including James Gleeson, John Olsen, John Brack, Ursula Hoff, Daniel Thomas, Sasha Grishin and Deborah Hart. It shifted from four to two editions a year in 2014.

Professor Baker said the VCA would invest in the publication, making Art & Australia an important recorder of art in Australia.

“We are looking to shift the editorial platform to be less about the art market to be more about art itself.”

Under the VCA’s direction, Art & Australia will focus on contemporary art and its relationship to broader theoretical, social and geo-political context. Editions released each year in autumn and spring will explore what constitutes art and Australia in the 21st century. Visual artists and academics will be part of the publishing body.

Professor Baker thanked Ms Triguboff for her generosity and passion for the journal.

“Under Eleonora’s stewardship, Art & Australia has fostered a truly global outlook and strengthened its link to artists and the arts community,” she said.

“We look forward to continuing this trajectory and plotting an intellectual cultural agenda for the future.”

Ms Triguboff said her gift would ensure Art & Australia continues to inspire and educate. She praised the VCA leadership for their enthusiasm and capability to continue publishing the journal.

“Gifting Art & Australia to the VCA under the exemplary directorship of Su Baker and the exceptional talent of Edward Colless will ensure the magazine continues to honour its past while making great strides into the future.”

The digitised archive of Art & Australia (since 1963) can be found online.

Banner image: various artists via www.artandaustralia.com