Victorian Museums & Galleries Conference 2016 Cowes | 6-7 October Museums Australia (Victoria)

CONFERENCE HANDBOOK

CONTENTS

02 WELCOME MESSAGES 03 GETTING AROUND & GENERAL INFORMATION 04 SESSION FORMATS & SOCIAL EVENTS 05 KEYNOTE SPEAKERS 06 PROGRAM – DAY ONE 07 PROGRAM – DAY TWO 08 ABSTRACTS 12 TRADE FAIR EXHIBITORS 13 SPONSORS & SUPPORTERS

Victorian Museums & Galleries MA (Vic) Branch Committee Green Museum Project Manager: Conference 2016 Co-Chairs Ren Gregoric President: Lauren Ellis Office Coordinator: Sarah Craven Sarah Craven & Laura Miles Vice-President: Padraic Fisher Victorian Collections Project Secretary: Jim McCann Co-Managers: Cameron Auty & Victorian Museums & Galleries Treasurer: Ian Scott Belinda Ensor Conference 2016 Committee Ordinary Committee: Peter Abbott, Victorian Collections Lauren Bourke, Samantha Fabry, Bass Coast Shire Council: Frank Communications & Education Andrew Hiskens, Louis Le Vaillant, Angarane Coordinator: Brigid Moriarty Dr Nurin Veis Churchill Island Heritage Farm: Victorian Collections Operations Christine Grayden Coordinator: Frances Paterson MA (Vic) Staff Destination Phillip Island: Pauleen Boulton and Kim Storey Executive Director: Laura Miles Contact MA (Vic): Sarah Craven, Bridget Communications Manager: Raphaël MUSEUMS AUSTRALIA (VICTORIA) Forbes, and Laura Miles Fiorese PO Box 385 Phillip Island Nature Parks: Exhibition Services: Kitty Owens Carlton South VIC 3053 Nicoletta Giurgiu and Michael Taylor Events Coordinator: Bridget Forbes Telephone (03) 8341 7344 St Philip’s Catering: Pauleen Finance Officer: Meredith Windust Regional Freecall 1800 680 082 Leditschke INSITE Editor: Roisin O’Dwyer Fax (03) 8341 7333 Museum Accreditation Program email: [email protected] Co-Managers: Caroline Deighton & www.mavic.asn.au Rosemary Hanscombe

MA (VIC) SUPPORTERS Cover image: Cadastral map: Western Port, Department of Lands and Survey, Melbourne, 1937. From the collection of State Library Victoria.

Printed by Madman Printing, a certified Green Printer on 100% recycled paper. WELCOME

MESSAGE FROM MUSEUMS AUSTRALIA (VICTORIA) On behalf of the Museums Australia Survival, the Bass Coast Heritage Group, (Victoria) staff and Board, we welcome Bass Coast Shire Council, Culture you to Phillip Island for our fourth Victoria, Destination Phillip Island, the Conference. We are delighted to Friends of Churchill Island Society, the showcase the wildlife and cultural Phillip Island Chocolate Factory treasures of this significant corner of (Panny’s), the Phillip Island & District Victoria. The 2016 Conference continues Historical Society, Phillip Island Nature our commitment to promote different Parks, and the catering team at St regions, following previous Conferences Philip’s. We hope you enjoy our two-day in Ballarat, Geelong, and Warrnambool. program of keynotes, discussions, This year we have been invited to lightning talks, and parallel sessions. explore Cowes by the team at Churchill Please help us improve future editions Island Heritage Farm, one of our 100 of the Conference by filling out our short organisations in the Museum online survey at: Accreditation Program. Our warmest http://tinyurl.com/mavic2016 thanks go to our Principal Partner, IAS Fine Art Logistics, and our other sponsors and supporters who have made Sarah Craven & Laura Miles this event possible: the Ministry for the Museums Australia (Victoria) Arts, Deakin University, the Museums Conference Co-Chairs Australia Education Network, Archival

MESSAGE FROM THE BASS COAST SHIRE MAYOR

Welcome to Bass Coast and Phillip Island On behalf of Bass Coast Shire Council, – Millowl in Boon Wurrung. I wish to thank you all for your In a ‘fast paced, must have, need it contribution to the arts, dedication to now’ society that can so easily entangle protecting our cultural assets, and us, the arts has the unique ability to curatorial flair in exhibition programming make us stop, look and listen; feel and that brings in new people of all ages to connect in with our self, with each other, appreciate the arts and keeps and with the art form itself on a myriad of challenging us and informing how we are levels. It is a discipline that gives you in the world. permission to simply sit and be. And importantly… wander into your imagination. Cr Jordan Crugnale If we had no visual representation, Mayor storytelling, music and dance coming Bass Coast Shire Council down ancestral lines, we would have no knowledge of the cultural heart from where we came, how that forms who we are and what we could imagine to be. Life would be very static and bleak.

2 MUSEUMS AUSTRALIA (VICTORIA) CONFERENCE VENUES

Library: Room 2

Parish Hall: Catering Area & Trade Cowes Cultural Centre: Exhibition Main Hall & Room 1

Free parking available in Council car park

Shuttle buses drop-off & pick-up point

Map data @2016 Google

GETTING AROUND

If you booked for the Cocktail Dinner on Locations Thursday, you will be picked up from here Emergency Assistance The Conference will be held at the Cowes at 5pm for the trip to Churchill Island For emergency assistance call 000. Cultural Centre at 91 Thompson Avenue. Heritage Farm. The return trip to the There are two entrances to the Centre: Cultural Centre will depart from Churchill Mobile Phones from the front, and from the rear next to Island Heritage Farm at 8.30pm. Please make sure your phone is turned the (free) car park. Catering will be If you booked for the morning walk on off or on silent during presentations. served at the St Philip’s Parish Hall on Friday, the shuttle bus will collect you the opposite side of Thompson Avenue. from here at 7am for Swan Lake, and Wi-Fi Access drop you back at the Cultural Centre at Limited free Wi-Fi is available via the Accessibility 8.15am. ‘Phillip Island Free Wi-Fi’ network (up to Both the Cultural Centre and the Parish 150 MB per day per device). No password Hall have male, female, and accessible required. unisex toilets. All rooms are accessible. GENERAL INFORMATION Parking Twitter Registration Desk Follow the conversation: #mavic16 Free parking is available in the marked Foyer, Cowes Cultural Centre Official MA (Vic) account: @_mavic bays or the unsealed overflow car park 91 Thompson Avenue, Cowes 3922 next to the Cultural Centre. Exhibitors are This year, a number of Deakin’s Cultural entitled to park at the Parish Hall. Thursday 6 October: 10am - 4.45pm Heritage & Museum Studies students will Friday 7 October: 8.30am - 3.30pm be MA (Vic) guest tweeters during the Shuttle Buses Conference. The pick-up/drop-off point is directly Name Badges opposite the Cultural Centre on Church All delegates will be given a name badge Disclaimer street. on registration which is the entry pass to Museums Australia (Victoria) reserves all sessions and catering. the right to amend any aspect of the If you booked a place on one of the Conference program. Museums Australia shuttle buses, you will be dropped off (Victoria) will not accept liability for here on the evening of Wednesday 5 Speakers damages or losses sustained by October, and picked up from here at 4pm Please report to the Speaker Station in participants as a result of the Conference on Friday 7 October for the return to the foyer of the Cowes Cultural Centre or related events. Melbourne (Tullamarine) Airport or half an hour prior to your session. Melbourne city centre.

VICTORIAN MUSEUMS & GALLERIES CONFERENCE 2016 3 SESSION FORMATS

cultural heritage of the area and will Keynote Sessions Students & Emerging provide a personalised, engaging Our keynotes will speak for 30 minutes Professionals Networking introduction to the flora and fauna of with Q&A at the end of the session for Swan Lake. both speakers. Session Meet at the shuttle bus pick-up/drop-off Students and emerging professionals are point on Church Street (directly opposite invited to a careers and networking the Cultural Centre) at Thursday Lunchtime meet-up during the Thursday lunch 7am. Prior bookings required: break. Session www.mavic.asn.au/stateconference/ This timeslot is designed for networking MA (Vic) staff will personally introduce social-events between delegates, the trade exhibition, students and emerging professionals to and the special students/emerging friendly senior professionals who will professionals networking session. answer questions and provide helpful hints about careers. DISCOUNTS FOR All of these activities will take place at the Parish Hall, with the option of This highly popular session is not to be DELEGATES outdoor seating (weather permitting). missed and will take place in the Parish Hall Meeting Room. Phillip Island Nature Parallel Sessions Parks Discounts Our presenters will speak for 15 - 20 Thursday Night Cocktail All Delegates receive 50% off entry to minutes with Q&A at the end of the Dinner Phillip Island Nature Parks’ attractions session for all speakers. (not valid with any other offer; expires The Conference Cocktail Dinner will be 20/12/2016). held in the beautiful surrounds of Discussion Panel Churchill Island Heritage Farm on Present the voucher (found in your Thursday evening. Prior bookings Conference satchel) at any of the below This session links with the special required: www.mavic.asn.au/ attractions to redeem your discount: students/emerging professionals stateconference/social-events networking session to discuss career • Antartic Journey (Nobbies Centre) pathways and volunteering/pro bono Take the shuttle bus from the Cowes • Churchill Island Heritage Farm work which enriches individuals and the Cultural Centre (departs 5pm) and join us • Koala Conservation Centre sector. for a guided tour of the homestead and • Penguin Parade farm and meet the pig, sheep, mini goats • Wild Ocean EcoBoat Tour Lightning Talks and horses. Followed by a cocktail dinner with a This final session provides an endpoint to Destination Phillip Island selection of locally-sourced foods, drinks, the Conference with some 10-minute and live music. Featuring special guest, Discounts talks on challenges and opportunities writer and performer John Clarke (Clarke Refer to the Destination Phillip Island impacting on museums and galleries. & Dawe, The Games, Death in Brunswick, flyer in your conference satchel for etc.). John will be discussing the ecology discounts on more Phillip Island of Phillip Island and Western Port Bay, attractions. For ideas on what to do in SOCIAL EVENTS and will share some fascinating stories of Phillip Island, go to: the area that only a local resident would www.visitphillipisland.com. Wednesday Night know. Shuttle buses back to the Cowes Cultural Get-Together Centre will depart Churchill Island at We invite delegates to an optional 8.30pm. There are a range of venues get-together at the Trumpet Bar (cash nearby the drop-off point for those bar applies but snacks will be served) wishing to continue the conversation with from 6.30pm. friends and colleagues. The Trumpet Bar is located on the Cowes foreshore (3/16 The Esplanade) and has a Friday Sunrise Walk great view out to Western Port Bay, a Join Education and Interpretation perfect position to view the sunset. Ranger Graeme Burgan from Phillip This is our private function with doors Island Nature Parks for a guided tour of open to the public with live music from Swan Lake. 8pm. No bookings required. Graeme has had a strong connection with the land and wildlife on Phillip Island since exploring its nooks and crannies as a child in the 1960s. He has an intimate knowledge of the natural history and

4 MUSEUMS AUSTRALIA (VICTORIA) KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

Dr J Patrick Greene OBE Museum Victoria Patrick Greene was appointed CEO of numerous papers on these subjects as Museum Victoria in 2002. He is Chair of well as monastic archaeology and the the National Cultural Heritage nineteenth-century trade in Baltic timber. Committee, a member of the Council of His book Egypt, a fascinating journey was Australasian Museum Directors, and a published in 2011. Patrick was made an member of the Australian World Heritage Officer of the Order of the British Empire Advisory Committee. Patrick is a regular (OBE) and was awarded an honorary speaker at conferences and has lectured Doctor of Science by the University of on topics such as museum management, Salford. He won the Australian Human science museums and contemporary Resources Institute (AHRI) CEO of the technology, and tourism in urban Year Award in 2011. regeneration. He has published

Jacqui Hemsley Murray Art Museum Albury (MAMA) Jacqui Hemsley has worked throughout Gallery (Director). Since 2009, Jacqui has the world in the arts sector. She has held held the role of Group Leader – Cultural positions at Noosa Regional Art Gallery Service with Albury City Council. In 2015, (Assistant Director), Southland Museum Jacqui was appointed as the inaugural and Art Gallery in New Zealand (Acting Director of MAMA (Murray Art Museum Director), Latrobe Regional Art Gallery Albury). (Director), and Broken Hill Regional Art

Adam Rozan Worcester Art Museum (Massachusetts, USA) Adam Rozan is the Director of Audience at the Worcester Art Museum, he Engagement at the Worcester Art manages education, studio classes, Museum in Massachusetts (USA), helping marketing, design, and visitor services. lead this century-old institution into the He holds a Master of Liberal Arts in future through innovative programming. Museum Studies from Harvard University An indefatigable advocate for visitors, Extension School, where he is now an Adam is part of a movement to adjunct faculty member. revolutionise the museum visit. In his role

Dr Nurin Veis Museum Victoria Nurin Veis is the Manager of Museum including The Mind: Enter the Scienceworks. Previous to this role she Labyrinth, which set an international was a leading curator of human biology benchmark for exhibitions based on and medicine. She has extensive sensory experiences. Nurin is currently experience in the ethical display of engaged in the evolution of human remains and has played a Scienceworks, challenging the way we principal role in establishing guidelines think of science museums and creating for the ethical display of artworks by thriving, dynamic experiences where people who have experience of mental science, culture, industry and innovation illness and trauma. She joined Museum come together for visitors of all ages. Victoria in 1998 where she developed permanent exhibitions for Melbourne

VICTORIAN MUSEUMS & GALLERIES CONFERENCE 2016 5 VICTORIAN MUSEUMS & GALLERIES CONFERENCE 2016

PROGRAM – DAY 1

WEDNESDAY 5 OCTOBER

6.30pm - 8.00pm PRE-CONFERENCE GET-TOGETHER Trumpet Bar, 3/16 The Esplanade Informal catch up. Includes canapés. Drinks by cash bar.

THURSDAY 6 OCTOBER

10am-10.30am REGISTRATION & MORNING TEA Foyer

10.30am-12.30pm KEYNOTE SESSION 1 Main Hall

WELCOME & OPENING Welcome & Housekeeping by Lauren Ellis, President, Museums Australia (Victoria)

Welcome to Country by Aunty Carolyn Briggs, Boon Wurrung Elder Welcome to Cowes Cultural Centre by Cr Jordan Crugnale, Mayor, Bass Coast Shire Council Delegate Address by Conference Principal Partner, IAS Fine Art Logistics

KEYNOTE ADDRESSES INTRODUCTION & CHAIR by Laura Miles, Executive Director, Museums Australia (Victoria) SPEAKERS: Adam Rozan, Director of Audience Engagement, Worcester Art Museum Dr J Patrick Greene OBE, CEO, Museum Victoria

12.30pm-2pm LUNCH / TRADE EXHIBITION Catering Area, Parish Hall STUDENT NETWORKING Meeting Room, Parish Hall

2pm-3.15pm PARALLEL SESSION 1 Various Locations

CULTURAL CENTRE – MAIN HALL CULTURAL CENTRE – ROOM 1 LIBRARY – ROOM 2 FUTURE PARTNERSHIPS FUTURE STORY-TELLING FUTURE SUSTAINABILITY

CHAIR: Georgia Cribb, NETS CHAIR: Peter Hoban, MA Education CHAIR: Peter Abbott Victoria Network Bendigo Heritage Attractions

SPEAKERS: SPEAKERS: SPEAKERS: Penelope Bartlau Elle Credlin Elizabeth Marsden Barking Spider Visual Theatre Glen Eira City Council Sovereign Hill Museums Jess Tran Dr Doris Paton Association 100 Story Building Victorian Aboriginal Corporation for Carole Hammond Sara Pearce & Padraic Fisher Languages Moonee Valley City Council National Wool Museum Kelly Gellatly Kate Larsen Ian Potter Museum of Art Writers Victoria 3.15pm-3.45pm AFTERNOON TEA Catering Area, Parish Hall

3.45pm-4.45pm DISCUSSION PANEL Main Hall

FUTURE CAREERS

CHAIR: Dr Steven Cooke, Deakin University

INFORMAL DISCUSSIONS WITH: Richard Mulvaney, Queen Victoria Museum & Art Gallery Elle Freak, Art Gallery of South Australia Paul Bowers, Museum Victoria

5pm-5.15pm SHUTTLE BUS TO CHURCHILL ISLAND HERITAGE FARM

5.15pm-6pm GUIDED TOURS OF THE GROUNDS, HERITAGE FARM AND HOMESTEAD

6pm-8.30pm COCKTAIL DINNER (optional) Churchill Island Heritage Farm

BOOKINGS REQUIRED Drinks, canapés, and entertainment. Featuring special guest, writer and performer John Clarke.

Return shuttle bus to Cowes Cultural Centre will depart at 8.30pm.

6 MUSEUMS AUSTRALIA (VICTORIA) VICTORIAN MUSEUMS & GALLERIES CONFERENCE 2016

PROGRAM – DAY 2

FRIDAY 7 OCTOBER

7am-8.15am SUNRISE WALK

BOOKINGS REQUIRED Early morning walk with Graeme Burgan, Education and Interpretation Ranger, Phillip Island Nature Parks.

Meet at shuttle bus pick-up/drop-off point on Church Street (directly opposite the Cultural Centre) at 7am.

8.30am-9am REGISTRATION Foyer

9am-10.30am KEYNOTE SESSION 2 Main Hall Housekeeping

KEYNOTE ADDRESSES INTRODUCTION & CHAIR by Louis Le Vaillant, Director and Curator, The Johnston Collection SPEAKERS: Jacqui Hemsley, Director, Murray Art Museum Albury (MAMA) Dr Nurin Veis, Manager, Scienceworks, Museum Victoria

10.30am-11am MORNING TEA Catering Area, Parish Hall

11am-12.30pm PARALLEL SESSION 2 Various locations

CULTURAL CENTRE – MAIN HALL CULTURAL CENTRE – ROOM 1 LIBRARY – ROOM 2 FUTURE EXHIBITIONS & FUTURE DIGITAL FUTURE ENGAGEMENT COLLECTION MANAGEMENT

CHAIR: Paul Bowers, Museum CHAIR: Andrew Hiskens, State CHAIR: Brett Dunlop, Sovereign Victoria Library Victoria Hill Museums Association

SPEAKERS: SPEAKERS: SPEAKERS: Alison Wishart Belinda Ensor and Cameron Auty Dr Robert Brown, University State Library of New South Wales Museums Australia (Victoria) of Melbourne, Assoc Prof Bryony Nainby Eleanor Whitworth Neryl Jeanneret, University of Benalla Art Gallery Culture Victoria Melbourne, and Dr Liz Suda, Jason Smith Claire Tindal Museum Victoria Geelong Art Gallery University of Melbourne

12.30pm-1.30pm LUNCH Catering Area, Parish Hall

1.30pm -3.15pm LIGHTNING TALKS Main Hall

THE FUTURE OF EVERYTHING

CHAIR: Jane Crawley, Director, Arts Sector Investment, Creative Victoria

SPEAKERS: Peter Abbott , Bendigo Heritage Attractions Jonathan Sweet, Blue Shield Australia Sherene Hassan, Islamic Museum of Australia Kitty Owens, Museums Australia (Victoria) Jean McAuslan, Shrine of Remembrance Padraic Fisher, National Wool Museum

CONFERENCE WRAP-UP by Laura Miles, Executive Director, Museums Australia (Victoria) 4pm-5:30pm SHUTTLE BUS TO MELBOURNE

BOOKINGS REQUIRED Departs shuttle bus pick-up/drop-off point on Church Street (directly opposite the Cultural Centre) at 4pm.

This program is correct at the time of printing. We reserve the right to amend any aspect of the program if required.

VICTORIAN MUSEUMS & GALLERIES CONFERENCE 2016 7 ABSTRACTS

Peter Abbott programs that partner with communities Elle Credlin Bendigo Heritage Attractions from development through to Glen Eira City Council Museums and heritage places continually presentation. The company additionally Now in its sixth year, the annual face the challenge of matching resources draws on unlikely stakeholders-as- Storytelling Festival has become the with the list of desired works along with partners to create these programmes – centrepiece of Glen Eira City Council’s seeking ways to engage the community expanding museum audience bases. The Arts and Culture program. This with their heritage focus. Crowdsourced talk will focus on a case study: Barking community-driven festival includes funding is a new option to engage local Spider Visual Theatre’s public program exhibitions, historical tours, films, talks, communities in small and large projects. Liberty of the Press. A program integrating open mic sessions, and even an Done well, it creates an ongoing link and history, fashion, art installation and interactive collaborative art installation. sense of local contribution that can have performance, and developed with the local Together these events highlight the many an ongoing legacy. There are key Chinese community. different ways we tell and share stories. elements to conducting a funding Elle will talk about the range of events campaign. This presentation will give you Paul Bowers focused around the building and a sneak peek into how a local community Museum Victoria interpreting of collections, including project linked to heritage, environment, In 2015, Museum Victoria Exhibitions did historical tours, collaborative events with and solving a real problem can serve as a approximately 8 recruitments. We received local collecting institutions, and the very model for all museums to develop their applications for these from around 150 successful World War I Quilt Making own campaign. And yes there will be cute people. I’ll talk about the qualities of the Project with local school children. She photos! successful candidates: strong IQ and EQ, will also talk about future plans for the focused on future and purpose, with a collection of digital stories and Cameron Auty & Belinda Ensor strong awareness of their strengths and indigenous engagement projects. Museums Australia (Victoria) weaknesses. I’ll also talk about how the There are 1,000 collecting organisations future staff of museums will need to be Padraic Fisher in Victoria including museums, historical audience-led digital natives, relaxed about National Wool Museum societies and non-traditional collections commercial and political imperatives, and Why Do We Collect? like Aboriginal keeping places and RSLs. open to continuous reflection and This talk is a psychological-emotional Victorian Collections currently supports self-development. I’ll try to crowdsource humorous look at the compulsive more than 400 of these groups to digitise questions and alternate perspectives, and pathology behind ‘collector types’ and the and share their collections online, and spend as much time as possible taking covetous urge to gather, assemble, provides an accessible pathway to Trove questions from the floor. accumulate, and jealously protect. Like for cultural collections. The successful Smaug, we are poised at the gates of our Victorian model has the potential to Dr Robert Brown collections. But let’s be open and honest: expand nationally and provide a similar University of Melbourne to what real end? Through humour (and level of support across state and territory Assoc Prof Neryl Jeanneret perhaps a touch of naivety), the audience lines. This talk will explore the current University of Melbourne will be asked to ponder: is it realistic to state of the Australian digital collections Dr Liz Suda expect our institutional collections to be landscape, and look at previous attempts Museum Victoria ‘for now and for always’? Should some to create nationwide collections Sharing Stories to Know what We Know objects be set free? Is access and platforms. What barriers have stopped The museum experience is invariably interaction more important than small and medium collections joining social for families with young children. preservation? If an object falls into a Trove? What are the risks of allowing a Museum practitioners, through planned store, and no one ever sees it again, does future fragmentation of Australia’s digital and spontaneous encounters, play a it still make a sound? collections? Is there a benefit to significant role in mediating family centralisation of digital collections, and engagement and learning. When should Padraic Fisher & Sara Pearce what are the risks of having various we step forward or stand back during National Wool Museum platforms across the country? Could these encounters? This question and Museum/Private Collector Partnerships in Victorian Collections be the right others have provided the catalyst for Access and Exhibitions platform to support small and medium research undertaken by a diverse group This presentation will highlight a key and collecting organisations and bring of Museum Victoria practitioners in crucial yet virtually untapped museum sustainable access to the nation’s partnership with the University of resource: the private collector. Private moveable cultural heritage? Melbourne. This presentation explores collectors are obsessive, compulsive, how the experience and tacit knowledge passionate, and knowledgeable. Like a Penelope Bartlau of museum practitioners can provide a proud parent, they love to show off their Barking Spider Visual Theatre powerful platform for professional ‘babies’. Often they have broader I Spy with My Artistic Eye: Artists and learning. Through a process of noticing, collections and deeper knowledge than Audiences Crossing the Line reflective writing and shared reading, museums or galleries. Private collectors This talk is the unpacking of a process by practitioners have shared their also offer a rare and invaluable which museums and galleries can include perceptions to generate a community of opportunity for small and mid-sized communities as partners in the inquiry that has clarified, affirmed and institutions to access collections, objects development of public programs through challenged views held as to how best to and research they could never undertake the arts. Australian arts company Barking engage young children and their families. on their own. Yet, the public exhibition Spider Visual Theatre has developed a sector is hesitant to engage them for a methodology for generating unique public myriad of reasons from academic

8 MUSEUMS AUSTRALIA (VICTORIA) ABSTRACTS

scrutiny to fears of conflict of interest. In it mean when we talk about ‘sustainable Thornbury, Melbourne. In our current this talk, Padraic and Sara will explore programming’ – for the institution, the socio-political climate, IMA plays a vital the benefits and challenges of creators within them, and for our role in countering the predominantly collaborating with collectors on audiences? Whose sustainability are we divisive public discourse surrounding exhibitions. They will also unpack some talking about and to what end? Islam. Sherene’s presentation will of the specificities of such collaborations explore strategies IMA employs to foster through a real case study: the Dr J Patrick Greene OBE a more nuanced and realistic development, presentation and tour of Museum Victoria understanding of what it means to be an the exhibition Women of Empire 1914 - Looking Back, Looking Forward – Do Australian Muslim. By showcasing a 1918 (co-produced with the private Museums Have a Future? wealth of artistic and cultural heritage, collection of Dressing Australia – Patrick is now in his fifteenth year as CEO IMA facilitates space for critical reflection Museum of Costume). The National Wool of Museum Victoria, and has announced and personal interpretation. In the act of Museum currently has/is developing two that he will step down from the role in sharing, common myths and prejudices additional partnerships that can serve to February 2017. In this talk, Patrick will are dispelled and mutual understanding further illustrate: Wildlife of Gondwana review where museums have come from is established. (collection of Dr Patricia Arlene Vickers- in the past few decades and assess what Rich AO) and a potential Visions of the future holds for them – if indeed Jacqui Hemsley Australia touring exhibition (co-developed museums do have a future. He will look Murray Art Museum Albury (MAMA) with the Australian War Memorial). at museums in Victoria and more widely Love Your MAMA in Australasia and will also attempt to The Murray Art Museum Albury (MAMA) Elle Freak find indicators of future directions opened on 2nd October 2015 with a lot of Art Gallery of South Australia elsewhere in the world. build-up and expectation. Costing over Elle will speak on her professional $10.5m, and the city’s most significant experiences and discuss the changing Carole Hammond development in over 10 years, many eyes role of the curator and the cross-cultural Moonee Valley City Council were watching and waiting. While closed, challenges of curatorial practice in Everything Is a Museum the Museum not only created a physical Australia. She will refer to her key After 10 years working as a (green) space to meet current and future Australian art projects with a focus on exhibition manager in state museums demands but also reimagined what a the Art Gallery of South Australia’s and galleries, three years ago Carole gallery could be. The vision for MAMA was forthcoming re-hang of the Australian art made the decision to leave and enter the that it became the full package, an colonial and mid-twentieth century extraordinary world of ‘hard core’ all-encompassing contemporary art collection displays scheduled for 2018. environmental management, as Senior experience for community, business and Elle will consider the processes of Sustainability Officer at an inner metro visitors. With an estimated economic building and displaying Australian art council. She completed a thesis on impact of nearly $15m, 100,000 visitors collections with reference to the central greenhouse gas mitigation, analysed with an equal spread of men, women and role of Aboriginal and Torres Strait energy policies, and honed her expertise children attending, MAMA has met the Islander art and artists within this story. on thermal efficiency, behaviour change, hype. This presentation will outline some and sustainability programs for local key elements on how this was achieved in Kelly Gellatly communities. She has won awards, run a region that would be the first to say that Ian Potter Museum of Art more than 40 workshops, and worked to it did not identify as a creative community, Sustainable Programming – A Journey that inspire over 700 people in person, and what could have been done better, and the Raises More Questions than Answers 100,000 digitally in three years. And she opportunities to be taken and threats to be On balance, Australian museums and learned an interesting lesson: everything faced. galleries, while happy to support the is a museum. artist to use the museum as a platform to We know an unexplained object won’t Kate Larsen espouse their own ideas around gender, amount to a life-changing event for Writers Victoria sexuality, ethnicity, the environment, or audiences in a museum or gallery. We Writers Victoria is all about writing. If local and global politics, seem rather need to consider identity, narrative, everyone has a story to tell, then writing unwilling to initiate or present these interpretation, design, and the audience, and storytelling are among the best ways agendas themselves, remaining instead or we are placing barriers in front of to tell them – with reading still the within the known, accepted and understanding. Yet the museum effect is number one way that Australians engage uncontroversial frameworks of the a mystery to many environmental with the arts. Kate will discuss the thematic survey or retrospective managers. So how can museums share importance of supporting practitioners exhibition. The very clear purpose of their interpretive, storytelling expertise who face barriers in the development of ‘agenda driven’ exhibitions can serve as a with government and NGOs in ways that their creative practice and careers, provocation to the art museum itself, will benefit the environment, and the including regional writers, writers with challenging those of us who work within climate adaptation of our most disability, and those from culturally and them to interrogate the expectations we vulnerable communities? linguistically diverse backgrounds. She have around the work we show and the will also consider how self-told stories way we communicate with our audiences, Sherene Hassan and community leadership are paramount while similarly highlighting the seeming Islamic Museum of Australia (IMA) in making sure that all of Australia’s rarity of art exhibitions in which a Opened just over two years ago, the stories are being told. particular stand or point of view is made, Islamic Museum of Australia (IMA) is a owned and clearly expressed. What does community museum located in

VICTORIAN MUSEUMS & GALLERIES CONFERENCE 2016 9 ABSTRACTS

Elizabeth Marsden staff, volunteers, and honorary research information to people. For thousands of Sovereign Hill Museums Association associates to meet the ever-increasing years, information has been passed on Turning Talk into Action: Sovereign Hill and output demand and at the same time through stories and songs. Since 1994, the Green Rush provide some professional development the Victorian Aboriginal Corporation for The climate emergency is here. The time pathways in a state with limited career Languages (VACL) has worked with for talk is over. Unprecedented global movement. The QVMAG experience is not Traditional Owners to revive their temperatures have brought with it new and is probably a reflection of what languages. VACL has developed a model increased heatwaves, flooding, coastal occurs across regional Australia, where for its processes of facilitating community erosion and extreme weather events, not there is an understanding of the value of engagement and collaboration in the to mention the possible destruction of our professional development but not the language revival process. Language precious Great Barrier Reef. Museums resourcing. revival activities are framed within a have an ethical responsibility to respond. model of Community Cultural This paper will explore the myriad ways Bryony Nainby Development (CCD), ensuring that the Sovereign Hill Museums Association is Benalla Art Gallery knowledge is passed on in engaging addressing this obligation. There is still so In 2014, Benalla Art Gallery refocused its ways, which lead to cultural revitalisation much we as individuals and as a sector exhibition programming to reflect a and community strengthening. can do to improve our environmental stronger emphasis on audience impact. We are all custodians of the planet engagement. The new curatorial direction Adam Rozan but could initiatives such as the Green was launched with the Free Art School, a Worcester Art Museum (Massachusetts, Museums Accord be one way of getting socially engaged project which USA) more museums on board? transformed the Gallery into a centre for Real Australian Museums Say Welcome learning and making for 12 weeks over The companies of today and the Jean McAuslan the 2014-15 summer. The Free Art School industries of yesterday are not Shrine of Remembrance included daily classes and workshops, guaranteed to be the ones of tomorrow. The Centenary of the First World War has interactive installations, pop-up artist The pace of change has quickened, and helped integrate Australia‘s wartime residencies, a creative studio, social the voice of the consumer is louder than history into mainstream history as never space and a library. A revised version was ever. Today, the best ideas trump before. Major cultural institutions have presented again in 2015. This everything, and the institutions unwilling digitised large amounts of their image presentation will review some of the to change become quick memories in our and document collections, opening up successes and challenges of these events lexicon of internet searches. What does opportunities for research. Younger and present plans for the future. this mean for museums? Yes, today’s generations of historians are museums are flush with engagement reinterpreting the already wide body of Kitty Owens strategies, community/audience-focused knowledge on the First World War, Museums Australia (Victoria) programming, innovative technologies, drawing on new and expanding records. The Future of Local Government and dynamic exhibitions; yet they are still Against these trends, the Shrine of Collections relatively unchanged from their Remembrance and other major In June 2016, MA (Vic) published a forbearers. When our ancestral collections are experiencing significant landmark report, Local Government and institutions – even those prominent in our increases in offers of family memorabilia Cultural Collections in Victoria. This talk industry – are relatively set in their relating to this war, greatly enriching our reflects on the report findings, providing dogma, there is no guarantee of survival. possibilities for interpretation. This a snapshot of local government cultural For museums to not only survive – but presentation will examine the impact this collections and support for community thrive – they will need a new resurgence may have after the Centenary is over. collecting groups. What are the current of energy, a passion for change, and a achievements and challenges for local commitment to a new, bold model. Richard Mulvaney government collections? What are the Queen Victoria Museum & Art Gallery trends for cultural acquisitions and Jason Smith Professional Development from a Regional facilities, support for community Geelong Art Gallery Perspective heritage, and delivery of creative Clustering Is the New Black: Future The Queen Victoria Museum and Art collection projects? Exhibitions through Can-Do Collaboration Gallery (QVMAG) is Australia’s largest In 2013, while Director of Heide Museum regional museum, located in the northern Dr Doris Paton of Modern Art, Jason Smith called the Tasmanian city of Launceston. We are Victorian Aboriginal Corporation for Georgia O’Keeffe Museum to inquire about comparable to our capital city counterpart, Languages organising an exhibition of Georgia the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery, In Aboriginal society, storytelling makes O’Keeffe’s artwork for Australia. The idea but operate with a regional focus. up a large part of everyday life. was not simply an exhibition with the QVMAG provides a distinct and rewarding Storytelling is used in a variety of ways. It well-known American artist as working environment but similarly there is used to teach children how they should blockbuster (the O’Keeffe Museum are issues of mobility, training and behave and why, and to pass on receives many such requests). The fuller networking that makes working in the knowledge about everyday life such as ambition was to bring O’Keeffe to cultural sector in Launceston hard. how and when to find certain foods. Australia so that audiences could better Professional development is increasingly Stories are also used to explain peoples’ understand the significance and important but hard to resource. Job spirituality, heritage and the laws. importance of Australian modernism. The opportunities are also limited. Today, storytelling in Indigenous Australia scale and ambitious scope of the project Out of necessity, QVMAG has nurtured its is still a very important way of passing on required key partnerships, and the

10 MUSEUMS AUSTRALIA (VICTORIA) ABSTRACTS

resulting exhibition O’Keeffe, Preston, Claire Tindal that spaces can be co-created with Cossington Smith: Making Modernism, University of Melbourne children, young people, and their examines the international languages of The 2010s have thus far ushered in a communities to amplify their voices and modernism through intersections and meteoric rise and expansion of digital share their stories in authentic ways. divergences in the lives and careers of imaging and customised manufacturing. Collaboration and capacity-building is at Georgia O’Keeffe, Margaret Preston and Once restrained by technological and the heart of 100 Story Building’s work. Grace Cossington Smith. financial limitations, digital-born From this Heide initiative, the Art industries – including 3D scanning and 3D Nurin Veis Gallery of New South Wales, Heide printing – now present as viable Museum Victoria Museum of Modern Art, and the alternatives to traditional design and Looking into the Crystal Ball – Adventures Queensland Art Gallery joined in manufacturing processes. Moreover, the at Scienceworks partnership with the Georgia O’Keeffe advantages that render these tools Everyone has a different idea about what Museum and the Terra Foundation for attractive to industry – non-contact ‘future-proofing’ means. In this talk, American Art to realise the exhibition. It imaging and customisation – are Nurin will emphasise what it means for has required and relied on new modes of especially desirable within cultural her: it essentially revolves around collaboration through strategically timed material conservation. ensuring that an organisation is and consistently transparent Often, damage to an artwork or addressing community needs in a unique communications, and demarcated and archaeological material requires yet sustainable fashion. Some of the key shared responsibilities. The project has conservators to address missing discussion points to consider are purpose facilitated the very first presentation of a components through various methods of and mission, making a difference, major body of work by Georgia O’Keeffe in loss compensation. However, in certain opportunity and entrepreneurship, and Australia, as well as providing an circumstances, traditional modes of true sustainability. In 2017, Scienceworks opportunity for audiences to view the treatment – moulding, casting and will be 25 years old – just the milestone works of Margaret Preston and Grace modeling – are undesirable or impossible to trigger a reflection on where it has Cossington Smith with fresh perspectives to enact due to the potential damage they come from and an exploration of where it and in the context of modernism might cause. Digital imaging processes plans to go. internationally. In this presentation, Jason mitigate this risk in that they do not Smith will reflect on the genesis of the require contact with the object surface Eleanor Whitworth productive cluster from which this major during data collection. 3D printers can Culture Victoria exhibition project has bloomed. then be used to recreate the missing When we put the word ‘future’ in front of component as an attachable fill. another word (like ‘food’ or ‘transport’), it Dr Jonathan Sweet Prior to employing these processes for is usually in the context of hoping or Blue Shield Australia a specific application, however, it is planning for something more seamless, Future Resolution? Affirming Australia’s important conservators understand how more functional, more sustainable: Commitment to the Protection of Movable and under what circumstances 3D print smarter. As digital tools and Cultural Heritage in Times of War materials degrade. Many of these environments continue to morph, how do The Commonwealth of Australia is a materials are manufactured under organisations with limited resources signatory to the UNESCO Hague proprietary labels, and none have been choose where to invest? This talk will run Convention for the Protection of Cultural formulated with the cultural heritage through existing platforms that can be Property in the Event of Armed Conflict profession in mind. Claire’s PhD research utilised with relative ease as well as point 1954. This, along with the UNESCO at the University of Melbourne aims to to where digital tools and access is Convention 1970 and the recent UN document the performance of common 3D heading and what this means for a sector Security Council Resolution 2199 (2015), print materials within a museum that deals with physical objects and the places certain obligations on Australia environment, such that these materials intangible stories that accompany them. concerning the importation of cultural are held to the same standards expected material. Nevertheless, unlike some other of other conservation-grade products. This Alison Wishart Nation States, Australia is not a signatory presentation will detail current project State Library of New South Wales to either the First and Second Protocols to outcomes. Doing More Research and Writing with Less the Hague Convention. The reasons for Time this are no longer sound and it is argued Jessica Tran We are constantly being asked to do more by Shane Simpson in the recent report 100 Story Building with less – less time, money and staff. Borders of Culture 2015 that ‘the time is 100 Story Building is a creative space in This workshop will give you a framework to right’ for accession to both Protocols. This Footscray where creatives work alongside do ‘more’ interrogating of old photographs position has also been advanced by the children and young people to foster their as primary sources in ‘less’ time. We will Australian Red Cross in their touring creative voice and have their ideas shared then discuss ways to make the most of exhibition Culture Under Attack and respected. 100 Story Building’s your research with a mission to research (commenced April 2016). This presentation mission is to provide opportunities for the once, publish often. introduces the Hague Convention and the most marginalised children and young role of Blue Shield Australia, and people in our community to build the discusses the unfinished business of the literacy skills, confidence, and sense of Hague Convention. belonging that are fundamental to future success. Inspired by the work of 826 Valencia in San Francisco, 100 Story Building is particularly interested in ways

VICTORIAN MUSEUMS & GALLERIES CONFERENCE 2016 11 TRADE FAIR EXHIBITORS

The Trade Exhibition will take archives. Archival quality storage over 700 places holding publicly products and services are essential for accessible collections, including place in the Parish Hall on organisations responsible for the galleries, libraries, archives, museums Thursday, 10am to 3.45pm. management and care of permanent and historical societies. collections. MA (Vic) Programs CAVAL IAS Fine Art Logistics www.mavic.asn.au www.caval.edu.au www.iasdas.com.au The Green Museum Project offers Introducing CAVAL Collections Storage. practical training on preventive IAS Fine Art Logistics is Australia’s only Where else in Melbourne can you access conservation and environmental national fine art logistics company which a secure, purpose-built, temperature and sustainability practices. offers a full array of services. Our humidity controlled repository for the vehicles offer full climate control (21 The Museum Accreditation Program is a preservation of any collection? CAVAL can degrees celsius and 50% relative framework designed for museums to tailor a solution to your exact needs, humidity) and incorporate hydraulic improve operations and build capacity. offering cost-effective and flexible options tailgate lift devices and air-ride Museums spend 2-3 years developing for the duration, configuration and suspension. Our crating division, T.E.D. procedures, policies and practice to gain curatorial access and management of Fine Art Australia, is the largest fine art Accreditation. your collections. packing and crating company in The Roving Curator Program offers Australia. IAS offers company operated small museums the assistance of a full climate and non-climate controlled Culture Victoria professional curator who can provide storage facilities in Sydney, Melbourne, www.culturevictoria.com.au advice and help with an exhibition project. Canberra, Perth and Brisbane. Culture Victoria is a gateway to Victoria’s Victorian Collections is a free, user- cultural collections and organisations. It friendly collections management system Archival Survival provides access to thousands of images that allows organisations to manage and www.archivalsurvival.com.au and hundreds of videos, a collection publish their objects and stories online. It search, a mapping tool to explore stories is a portal to the cultural treasures held Archival Survival is dedicated to providing by place and by Aboriginal language by Victorian museums and galleries. high quality preservation materials to group, and an organisations’ directory of museums, galleries, libraries and

Strategy Planning Governance Grant-writing Facilitation Training Education Use our mobile-friendly online map to Communication plan a tour to any of the 100+ Victorian Research museums and galleries in the Writing Museum Accreditation Program (MAP). Documentation Significance assessment From historic homes to Indigenous keeping places, historical societies, and regional galleries, MAP MARGARET organisations hold millions of stories from Victoria’s BIRTLEY Consulting past and myriad ideas for the future. margaretbirtley.com.au The map allows users to find a museum near them [email protected] or to search by region, and features images, short descriptions of the museums and their collections, +61 (0) 418 814 957 as well as contact details and opening hours.

www.victorianmuseums.com.au

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and have been trained in best practice for the ease of loading and comfort in and handling techniques to ensure the ride, all of our vehicles incorporate high level of care required for the safe hydraulic tailgate lift devices and air-ride transport of such items. suspension. Our dedicated team of specialist staff Our crating division, T.E.D. Fine Art appreciate the importance and Australia, is the largest fine art packing time-critical nature of exhibition and crating company in Australia. T.E.D. transport. They are well aware of the products are highly regarded worldwide many deadlines related to staging an and relied upon to safely carry everything IAS Fine Art Logistics is Australia’s only exhibition and the importance of meeting from the most demanding examples of national fine art logistics company which all targets. Fine Art and Cultural Heritage Material offers a full array of services. We are proud of our modern fleet of to unique scientific equipment. With vast experience of over 30 years of custom-designed dedicated art / IAS offers company operated full National Art Exhibition Transport, IAS has exhibition vehicles. Our vehicles offer climate and non-climate controlled a clear understanding of the cultural world leading temperature and humidity storage facilities in Sydney, Melbourne, significance and irreplaceable nature of control systems (21 degrees celsius and Canberra, Perth and Brisbane. the items it transports. IAS personnel 50% relative humidity). To minimize risk, only handle art, artefacts and exhibitions,

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VICTORIAN MUSEUMS & GALLERIES CONFERENCE 2016 13