6. Searching for Support

As an intern I was always conscious of trying to find a useful way to contribute to the project, rather than simply being an observer and ‘shadowing’ the work of the gallery director and senior curator.  Much of my professional work to date has centred on building effective business partnerships and managing corporate sponsorship portfolios for business and arts events.  I was determined to bring some of this skill and experience to the table in support of the exhibition.

While we had been successful in securing financial contributions from Arts Victoria, the Australia Korea Foundation and other agencies, the exhibition was still considerably underfunded.  If I was able to raise additional revenue through sponsorship we would be able to cover costs associated with artist travel, making site specific works a possibility.  We also needed funding to cover freight and travel and accommodation for the curators.

I decided to turn my attention to Korean companies with offices in Australia: motor vehicle and appliance manufacturers, technology companies, mining companies and airlines.  Perhaps not surprisingly, it was a challenge.  I began the campaign in early 2011.  Global financial markets were continually uncertain and jittery as a result of the global financial crisis.  As a result, corporate marketing budgets had been slashed and few new projects were being considered by the major organisations.  Despite this there was universal awareness of the Australian  / Korean Year of Friendship among the Korean companies I approached and there was a genuine sense of good will toward our initiative.  If only I could convince someone to untie the purse strings.