The Victorian Artists' Society (VAS) is the oldest artists' society still active in Victoria. It was built on the success and profile of the Heidelberg School of Australia's Impressionists. It therefore connects directly to Melbourne's, Victoria's, Australia's and International Art History. It is a registered Not-for-Profit organisation and a registered charity and has a permanent home at 430 Albert St, East Melbourne in which it provides spaces for exhibitions, classes and studio workshops. In these respects VAS has no peer.
VAS is beginning a new phase in its development. The Strategic Plan (2011-2013) outlines VAS's ambitions to build on its excellent reputation by recognising its iconic past while establishing itself as a modern, vibrant, relevant organisation which is an essential part of Melbourne's, Victoria's and Australia's cultural landscape. As a Society, by implementing the agreed Strategic Plan, we are in the process of change.
On the one hand, change such as we are undergoing can be seen to be negative, disruptive and fear-provoking if implemented for the wrong reasons. On the other hand, change can be positive, stimulating, confidence-building and productive if based on the right premise and for the common good, a principle which the current Board is committed to observing.
The present VAS Board is not afraid to grasp the challenge of change and to present a sound Strategic Plan for future development and implementation to all members. This is based on reverence for our past history and the realisation that any organisation in the 21 st Century must be adhering to a strategic plan of services to its members, maintenance and development of its structure and, above all be financially viable, the latter being an essential requirement for our very existence.
Our Taskforce, a sub-committee of the Board, is endeavouring to refine and develop our activities and ensure that the organisation is being run under today's requirements for corporate governance and compliance. This will assist in raising our profile and providing existing and new members with even a greater level of confidence in their participation as members of this prestigious Society.
We have been extremely busy for the first half of this year and some evidence of change to the building and maintenance is already taking place. One of the first changes you will notice is the front room at the entrance to the foyer. The Board and its new President, Gregory R Smith, quickly accepted Ted Dansey's offer to move the office to the past Member's Room with an outlook onto the courtyard. Already the front room has undergone a fabulous 'facelift' and will be seen as a great asset to the members and make a great improvement to the internal appearance of the building.
Thank you Ted for your foresight in making the move and thus this renovation possible.
The Strategic Plan was accepted by the Board for implementation at the end of 2010. The following provides an overview of its mission, vision, goals and objectives to be achieved during the next three years.
The Victorian Artists' Society (VAS) will collaborate with artists to produce art of the highest quality and innovation. We will encourage community engagement in, and appreciation of, the practice of art through exceptional art exhibitions, programs, services, and facilities. VAS will have an effective and efficient organisational capacity to assist it to continue to contribute to the cultural life and heritage of art excellence in the State of Victoria.
The driving Vision of VAS is to be recognised Australian-wide as a leading art society offering unparalleled quality and expertise.
To realise our mission and vision VAS will attempt to achieve four goals during a three year time plan from 2011-2013.
These four goals are:
The Strategic Plan outlines what we do well educating our members and the general community in the interest of art through:
The Plan also documents what we need to do to achieve our new goals including:
The Strategic Plan identifies various means to support the achievement of the following artistic and cultural activities:
In conclusion the major directional shifts in the Strategic Plan are to improve connections with the community through media and other promotional means. The extension of relationships with other institutions and societies involved in quality art is necessary to increase our membership and to improve facilities for our members. The repair and maintenance of our heritage building is essential. Finally, there is a requirement to increase and improve operational management and resourcing to preserve VAS assets, extend our activities and achieve the successful implementation of our Three-Year Strategic Plan.
A detailed copy of the Strategic Plan is available for inspection in the VAS Office.
The Board would like to ask you for your support in this endeavour.
Thank you, Norma Sullivan.
The Strategic Plan Overview (left) presented an overview of WHAT we need to do at the VAS within the framework of the Strategic Plan.
This report explains HOW we will achieve our broad goals. Each goal is broken down into particular objectives to be achieved over the next three-year period.
Particular activities, targets, timing and responsibilities are allocated against each objective, which can be measured and evaluated each year against Key Performance Indicators. Thus, we can see how well we are achieving each of our goals and what we might need to do to improve our efforts in the future.
As advertised in the Programme of Exhibitions Usually last week in November.
An exhibiting member is someone who has been hung in one of the Ordinary Members Exhibitions in the last 2 years. Non Exhibiting Member is someone who has not been hung in the last 2 years.