James Cook art collection

Abstract

James Cook University (JCU) was gazetted as a University College in 1960 and during that decade, Professor Ron Kenny, biological scientist and keen artist, instigated the Art Collection. He convinced University College Warden (and future inaugural JCU Vice-Chancellor), Professor Ken Back, to commit to an investment policy of collecting works of established and emerging Australian artists. Associate Professor Anneke Silver recalls that collecting a strong representation of Australian works for the University College was perceived as a valuable contribution to the developing argument for a fully-fledged University in North Queensland. In 1970 the College was proclaimed as James Cook University of North Queensland (shortened to James Cook University in 1997).