NORDI S K MUSEOLOGI 1998•1 , S. 3- 8

AUSTRALIAN MUSEUMS ON SHOW FOR ICOM'98

Kimberley Webber

ICOM'98 in this coming October occurs at an interesting time for Australian museums and members are encouraged not just to visit museums in Melbourne but also to venture further afield, particularly to regional centres around Melbourne such as Ballarat and Geelong and to other capitals, including and . This will be particularly important for those wanting to understand the :' since Melbourne's two major museums - the Museum of Victoria and the National Gallery ofVictoria - are closed, with the former being rebuilt on the site ofthe 1880 Melbourne International Exhibition and the latter undergoing major remodelling.

In all, there are some 500 museums in long and the University of Technology, . Each state and territory has a Sydney; gallery management at the state art gallery and a state museum or University of Melbourne and Sydney museums that deal (individually or collec­ College of Art; and material culture studi­ tively) with ethnology, natural history, sci­ es at the University of Townsville in ence, technology and social history. Each Queensland and at Canberra University in capital also has a botanic garden and zoo­ the ACT (Australian Capital Territory). logical park. Museums and their professio­ The most significant recent develop­ nal staff belong to Museums Australia ment in museums in the region is, how­ which holds an annual conference and ever, not in Australia at all, but in produces the journal Museums Australia. Wellington, the capital of New Zealand. Training for museum professionals is avai­ Opened in February 1998 and with final lable in a range of courses, from post gra­ costs of construction close to $NZ300 duate museology diplomas and masters million (1500 million SEK), the Museum degrees at the , in of New Zealand, Te Papa Tongawera, is MelbourRe at the University of Victoria one of the largest museum projects ever and at the University of Adelaide; to cour­ undertaken in the region. More significant ses in applied history with a museology is its determination to be bi-cultural - and component at Deakin University in Gee- bi-lingual - giving equal weight to Euro- KIMBERLEY WEBBER

4 pean and Maori history and culture. exciting ways . A new national museum will natural­ Although it is too early yet for considered ly chart a course quite different to that followed by criticism of the new museum to emerge, other national museums in Europe or the Americas the resultant exhibitions, public program­ or by those earlier Australian museums which were mes and publications will be followed founded during a different educational and scienti­ with great interest in Australia which has fic climate ... 2 yet to open a national museum of its own culture and history and where a bi-cultu­ In the twenty years since, the proposed ral approach is rarely seen. National Museum of Australia has experi­ Indeed, discussions on the best appro­ enced considerable waxing and waning of ach to a national museum - its site, collec­ government support. Sites have been cho­ tions and exhibitions - have been taking sen and abandoned, themes established place for at least seventy years and only in and later changed, directors have come the last twelve months have they approa­ and gone. However, with the most recent ched any degree of certainty. A national change of federal government (to a con­ museum was first proposed in 1927, in servative coalition between the Liberal the lead up to the opening of Australia's and National Parties) has come a new national capital, Canberra. The then enthusiasm for the museum. A site has Minister for Home Affairs and Territories been chosen where the Museum will be observed: developed together with the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Suggestions have been made from time to time that Islander Studies and the ACT Aboriginal a National Museum should be established at and Torres Strait Cultural Centre. $A133 Canberra to serve as a repository not only for arti­ million (665 million SEK) has been set cles of ethnographic interest, but also for articles of aside from the National Federation Fund historical interest and articles Australian in charac­ and an international competition held for ter and of considerable intrinsic value, such as col­ a 'non monumental and distinctively lections of precious stones.' Australian' design, leading to the appoint­ ment of Ashton Raggatt McDougall and However it was not until the commissio­ Robert Peck von Hartel Trethowan as ning of the Piggott Report on Australian architects. Late last year the new director, Museums in 1975 that the idea was taken Dr W. Jonas, announced that this will be up with any degree of seriousness: an integrated museum telling the story of Australia through the themes of Virtually every nation has its national museum but Indigenous cultures and history, the social here the argument for a national museum is parti­ history of the last 200 years and people's cularly powerful. For the nation covers a whole relationship with the environment. How continent ... A new national museum will illumina­ this is to be achieved is yet to be explai­ te new fields of knowledge and also link traditional ned. However, visitors to Canberra can fields in revealing ways. Australia's natural history gain some idea of the Museum's approach and human history is unusual, and today the know­ through its temporary exhibition pro­ ledge of many facets of that history is unfolding in gramme at Old Parliament House. AU S TRALIAN MUSEUMS ON S HOW FOR ICOM'98

In contrast, the Australian National will be able to inspect two of the 5 Gallery (also in Canberra) has had a much Museum's other sites, Scienceworks in less controversial development and has Spotswoode, formerly a sewage pumping just opened an extension to house the station and now a highly interactive centre Asian collections. Its newly appointed for science and technology and the director, Dr Brian Kennedy (formerly of Immigration Museum and Hellenic the National Gallery of Ireland), is ensu­ Archaeological Museum which opens in ring that the Gallery takes a leading role the Old Customs House in October. in the public, and professional, debate Excellent roads and comparatively short about the role of museums in society. As distances make regional Victoria very he said in his first speech at the Gallery: accessible from Melbourne. Ballarat is only an hour and a half's drive from the The role of the gallery today is taking on the aspect city centre and, in the absence of the of a cultural battleground. In many parts of the National Gallery of Victoria, provides an world, the iron curtain of ideology is being replaced opportunity to see the work of nineteenth by a cultural curtain which demands equal atten­ century Australian painters such as tion be given to the Spice Girls and Mother Teresa, Eugene von Guerard in its very fine Art Kuwait and Rwanda, Serrano and Rembrandt.' Gallery. The Gallery also displays the Eureka Flag, which was flown at the only Kennedy has called a (temporary) halt to major rebellion against British rule on the acquisitions whilst the collection policy is Ballarat goldfields in 1854 and today reviewed, has restructured the curatorial stands as the symbol of the republican area, instituted a 'spill' of curatorial posi­ movement. In addition, Ballarat has the tions and encouraged wide ranging debate most successful outdoor museum m on the museum. In October, his impact Australia (inspired by Skansen) at should be evident in the re-hanging of the Sovereign Hill. Attracting half a million permanent collection and temporary exhi­ visitors a year this commemorates, and bitions such as Contemporary Aboriginal celebrates, the discovery of gold in and Torres Strait Islander Photography and Ballarat in the 1850s and provides an The Ballet Russes. insight into living and working conditi­ In Melbourne, although the new ons, mining techniques and use of steam Museum of Victoria (renamed the Muse­ technology. The adjacent Gold Museum um of Melbourne) is still two years away has exhibitions on the social and cultural from opening, the construction site will history of the region. A trip to Ballarat provide some idea of the scale of this also provides an opportunity to explore $A700 million (3.5 billion SEK) project. some of the gold field towns in its envi­ Designated by its director as 'A museum rons. Castlemaine, Chewton, Maldon and for the 21st century' and designed by the the spa town of Daylesford are all remar­ Australian architects Denton, Corker, kably intact with excellent examples of Marshall, the new museum will include an nineteenth century domestic and com­ Aboriginal Centre, Children's Museum mercial architecture. and Gallery of Life. Meanwhile, delegates The largest city in Australia - and the KIMB E RL EY WEBB E R

6 place with one of the highest levels per when requested to do so. The Museum's capita of museums in the world - is permanent exhibition on Aboriginal and Sydney, an hour by plane from Mel­ Torres Strait Islander culture and society bourne. The (for­ provides a fine example of the benefits of merly the Museum of Applied Arts and museums working directly with Indigen­ Sciences) was founded after the resoun­ ous peoples. ding success of the 1879 Sydney Inter­ Historic houses and sites in New South national Exhibition. Reworked in the Wales come under the management of the 1980s and re-housed in a former electrici­ Historic Houses Trust. The Museum of ty generating works, the Powerhouse has Sydney, on the site of the first government 22 permanent exhibitions on science, house erected in 1788, has a permanent technology, social history and decorative display on the archaeology of the site arts displayed in galleries totalling 20,000 together with a range of temporary exhibi­ square feet. In 1996 it had 652,267 visi­ tions on Sydney, architecture, design and tors (about one seventh of the population the experience of colonialism. Its underly­ of Sydney) with a further 113,682 visiting ing philosophy that history should be the museums temporary exhibitions at experienced - and thus emphasis on visual venues around the country. A major tem­ imagery, contemporary quotes and rich porary exhibition which should be open layering of objects rather than explanatory in October is Beyond Architecture: Marion text - has been controversial and first­ Mahony and Walter Burley Griffin in time visitors to Sydney may find the name America, Australia and India. For the first something of a misrepresentation. How­ time material will be brought together ever, its stark design and fine detailing from museums and archives in Australia provide an opportunity to see the work of and the United States concerning the the architects of the future Museum of work of the architects who not only laid Melbourne. The Hyde Park Barracks the planning framework for the national Museum, in a former convict barrack built capital, Canberra, but also had a grand by Governor Macquarie in 1815, provides vision for a community to live in harmony better insight into the colonial history of with nature in the (partially realised) and to the experiences Sydney suburb of Castlecrag. of the men and women who lived there, The other major museum in Sydney - first as convicts and later as immigrants, and the oldest museum in Australia - is the destitute and the insane. the Australian Museum which has an acti­ Other museums worth v1s1tmg in ve program of exhibitions on the natural Sydney are the National Maritime Muse­ environment, human societies and human um which focuses on Australia's maritime interaction with the environment. The heritage, the Art Gallery of New South Museum has been a leading proponent of Wales , the Sydney Jewish Museum and working co-operatively with Indigenous the Museum of Contemporary Art. The people on the management of their mate­ latter pursues an active program of rial culture, recognising their rights to making available the latest ideas in visual that material culture and returning objects culture and has what is unarguably the . . . .. ·. '· •.; -- ,L:. ~~~ - ~ • ·! . ' . ... Gliaran.te.e ·of:.:s'e·r"vice -·; ...... '.... ~-, .:: .. ,. ..·., · ..., • ""' 'Y'I,. ·~· ... ~o,;if_:;J>~'~' •.._. • .... ···~•,.• .• • ,~ • ~·· ' • ·~-

Who we are • provides research assistance and Special services The Museum of Applied Arts and advice • we offer guided tours in community Sciences is a public museum operated languages, including sign language, • provides education programs for by the state government for the people on a booked basis (minimum two schools, TAFE and tertiary institutions. of New South Wales. The museum was weeks notice). These tours may be established in 1879 and in its current booked by phoning (02) 9217 0222. form comprises the Powerhouse Our C'ommitment to our • if you wish to receive an update on our Museum and . customers exhibitions and events, please contact The museum is committed to continuous us at our address, or phone (02) 9217 Our goal Is improvement in its quality of service. 0322 to be placed on our mailing list. • to be a dynamic, innovative and We regularly evaluate our exhibitions, enjoyable museum for all Australian programs and services. • if you wish to comment on services for people people with a language background • to promote awareness and under· Our service standards other than English, please phone (02) standing of the past, present and future When you visit the museum you will 9217 0329 or fax (02) 9217 0441. of Australian society find: • if you wish to comment'on services for • to research, acquire, conserve and • friendly, responsive and efficient staff Aboriginal- Australians phone (02) 9217 0493 or fax (02) 9217 0441 . present material in the fields of science, • well-maintained exhibitions and technology, industry, design, buildings • the first Saturday of every month is a decorative arts and social history free entry day to the museum. • a commitment to caring for objects in • to reflect Australian cultural diversity the collection and on loan to the What to do if you have a • to provide a high level of service. museum suggestion or complaint What we do •your inquiries will be answered We welcome your comments and any The museum: promptly and courteously by staff who suggestions you may have for improving will provide information that is our services. If you are visiting the • develops and manages the collection accurate and appropriate museum and have any comments, please of objects in its care to present talk to one of the staff. A comments form exhibitions of interest to the widest • a high standard of safety and security is on the reverse side of this page if you possible audience • there are appropriate facilities (rest have a suggestion or complaint you wish • provides special exhibition space for areas, cafes, toilets, baby change· to put in writing. Alternatively, please communities to presenttheirmigration room) for you to use feel free to write to the museum or and settlement experiences • we provide access and services for contact our Public Relations section on • conducts public programs that those with special needs (eg people (02) 9217 0389. support and complement the with disabilities and those with a exhibitions and collection language background other than Our con1mltment to you English), Any written suggestion or complaint you • frequently offers events which are make to the museum will receive a presented by people from culturally • signageand information brochures are response from us within 4 to 10 working diverse communities helpful and easy to understand days: If we are unable to meet this • provides facilities for events and • printed information about museum commitment you will be informed functions events in plain English. immediately of our intended action.

Guarantee ofservice . From Guide to the Powerhouse Museum, Sydney. best cafe in an Australian museum. have seen a number close including (in Eighteen million people visited Sydney) the Museum of Childhood, the Australia's museums last year, the equiva­ Earth Exchange (a mining museum) and lent of the total population. Collectively, the Sydney Mint Museum (a museum of museums are more popular than ever, and Australian decorative arts). The opening more people visit a museum than partici­ of the Museum of Melbourne in the year pate in organised sporting events. Yet with­ 2000 will set new standards - not least in in the museum community, competition the amount of m~ney spent - and much is intense and only increasing as attendan­ will depend on its ability to refigure the ces at individual museums decline. Seven­ museum for a 21st century audience. All teen new museums and art galleries ope­ museums have to face the challenge of ned in Australia in the 1960s, 59 in the demonstrable relevance to the community, 1970s and 108 in the 1980s. The 1990s of harnessing new means of providing KIMBERLEY WEBBER

8 access to the collections through the inter­ net and other information technologies and of serving new audiences in new ways whilst continuing to expand traditional ones. ICOM's meeting in Melbourne in October 1998 will provide an opportunity for delegates to assess the likelihood of these challenges being met.

NOTES

1. Quoted in Margaret Anderson & Andrew Reeves, 'Contested Identities: Museums and the Nation in Australia' in Flora Kaplan (ed), Museums and the Making of 'Ourselves'.· The Role of Objects in National Identity (London: Leicester University Press, 1994), 79-123 at 94 2. Museums in Australia: Report ofthe Committee of lnquily on Museums and National Collections (Canberra: Government Printer, 1975), 70 3. Quoted in Lauren Martin, 'Australia's Next Cultural Revolution', Sydney Moming Herald, 31 January 1998, Gs

Kimberley Webber is Senior Curator at Sydney's Powerhouse Museum. She has recently spent two months in Umeli as a guest lecturer in 11111seology at the University and visiting curator at the Viisterbottens Museum. Adr PO Box K346, Heymarket, NSW 2000, Awtralia Fax +61-292170355 email: [email protected]