“Art Exhibitions Australia began 25 years ago with $1 million from government and orders not to come back for more. Charged with bringing international art to Australia, it has staged 57 exhibitions – the latest being Dutch Masters – and attracted more than 10 million visitors. With a total turnover of $130 million, it has raised $42 million in sponsorships, started a million-dollar foundation, and has an enviable $9.5 million in reserves… Naturally, then, it has a cache of variously motivated critics,” and many in the Australian art world say that the AEA has outlived its usefulness.