Queensland Museum Strategic Plan 2011–2015 Introduction Queensland Museum was Queensland Museum has responsibility for the delivery of museum services founded by the Queensland across the State. This is facilitated through a network of museums established under the approval of the Governor-in-Council. Campuses of Queensland Philosophical Society on Museum include – 20 January 1862 and since Queensland Museum South Bank, Brisbane that time has maintained a The Museum of Tropical Queensland, Townsville proud record of service to all The Workshops Rail Museum, Ipswich Queenslanders. Cobb+Co. Museum, Toowoomba The Board of Queensland Lands, Mapping and Surveying Museum, Woolloongabba, Brisbane Museum was established Queensland Museum Annexe, Hendra, Brisbane. under the provisions of the The purpose of this plan is to provide strategic direction for all Queensland Queensland Museum Act Museum’s activities within the context of whole-of-government priorities and 1970. Subsequent changes outcomes. The plan has been developed in a collaborative process involving staff and the Board of Queensland Museum, and includes a statement of resource to this Act were effected implications. through the Arts Legislation Amendment Act 1997, the Arts Legislation Amendment Vision Act 2003 and the Statutory Queensland Museum — discovering Queensland, inspiring generations Bodies Legislation A museum for all Queenslanders that actively partners with diverse communities Amendment Act 2007. The to enrich understanding of self and place. Board is appointed by the Governor-in-Council on the recommendation of the Mission Minister for the Arts. To inspire generations of Queenslanders to discover, celebrate and value our distinctive natural and cultural environment. Values We have a culture of sharing, learning and growth, to foster a community that shares, learns and grows. We respect and celebrate diverse perspectives, because we engage and represent diverse audiences. We study adaptation, evolution and change, so we value creativity and innovation. We excel at research to help understand life, and we love to bring research to life. We cherish our collections, because we cherish our stories. We value integrity because it is the essence of trust. We encourage and nurture teamwork and partnerships, because our job is too important to do alone. Strategic themes Challenges Distinctively Queensland Statewide delivery of exhibitions, events, public programs The research, collection development and public program and loans services meeting the needs of a diverse activities of the Queensland Museum are strategically audience. directed by the following themes – Increased conservation and storage resources for the Ancient Ecosystems — exploring, discovering and continued growth and development of the collections. documenting Australia’s unique geological and biological Maintenance of a core scientific and technical expertise record which underpins the knowledge and custodianship of capable of meeting future challenges in a rapidly changing Queensland’s modern environments landscape. Connecting Queensland: Reaching the World — the Ensuring a sustainable network of museums and services connections and exchanges that sustains Queensland’s underpinned by sound resource management strategies. place in the world Customs, Cultures and Country — Aboriginal, Torres Strait and Pacific Islander experiences, perspectives and cultures Objectives Queensland Stories — the people, places, cultures and events that make Queensland distinctive Our strategic objectives over the next four years 2011–2015 will enable Queensland Museum to inspire Queenslanders Science and Technology in Society — heritage trades, with a greater understanding of self and place. The technology and the role of science in people’s lives Queensland Museums objectives are to: Sustainable Queensland — the documenting, conserving produce and deliver a program of compelling experiences and appreciating of Queensland’s unique biodiversity that connect with our communities; be a mission driven, business-focussed, entrepreneurial organisation; Government priorities motivate our staff to co-create a new future for the Queensland Museum plays an important role in contributing Queensland Museum network; to the Government’s TowardsQ2 objectives particularly the engage in spirited, interactive partnerships with ambitions to have a strong, green, smart and fair state. communities; and Strong - Queensland Museum has a proud tradition strike a balance between scholarship, collection of investing in research with plans to continue work in development, community connection and a compelling biodviersity, geosciences and cultural history. museum experience. Green - Through its role as a science communicator, Queensland Museum is building knowledge and understanding in our communities of issues relating to sustainability and climate change. Smart - As a lifelong learning provider Queensland Museum will continue to develop content rich training opportunities for Queenslanders. Fair - Volunteers play a vital community engagement role for Queensland Museum. Strategic Plan 2011–2015 We are Distinctively To produce and deliver a program of To be a mission driven, business- Queensland. People of compelling experiences that connect focussed, entrepreneurial diverse origins who occupy with our communities we will: organisation we will: a place unlike any other in the world. We strive Develop an experience architecture Develop and implement a Business to create an exciting and business model to inform and Innovation Plan within a social and sustainable future for our facilitate the delivery of compelling economic entrepreneurial model. whole community and for experiences across the network. Invest in resources including capital future generations. Facilitate the development and assets to support the delivery of QM delivery of a dynamic and changing strategic priorities. program of experiences. Support the Queensland Museum Encourage social connection Foundation to secure substantial and intergenerational dialogue by financial support for QM strategic investing in flexible, innovative, priorities. welcoming places and spaces — a museum without borders. Develop and embed a brand architecture for each of the brands in the QM network. Undertake an ongoing program of audience research that directs the development and delivery of the museum experience and builds an in-depth understanding of QM’s audience. The Queensland Museum Queensland Museum The Workshops Rail Museum, network includes South Bank Ipswich To motivate our staff to co-create a To engage in spirited, interactive To strike a balance between scholarship, new future for the QM network we will: partnerships with communities we will: collection development, community connection and a compelling museum experience we will: Create a culture of innovation where Invite Queenslanders to take Reshape the QM Research and people are encouraged and rewarded possession of their museum through Collection Development Strategy to generate entrepreneurial ideas. their participation in developing to align with the vision, brand and Empower our staff to see themselves and implementing a Community strategic priorities to tell the changing as advocates for social and Engagement Policy that story of Queensland. environmental issues and to build invites Aboriginal people and Make access to collections a priority. networks and partnerships with Torres Strait Islanders to become Through high quality research and communities. full partners interpretation elevate collections Collaboratively develop a process of acknowledges and reflects into compelling connections and cultural renewal that engages staff in Queensland’s culturally experiences. the transformational process. diverse communities Enable multiple voices to guide and embeds our museums into interpret Queensland’s changing story. local communities identifies special interest communities especially education, tourism, science and collecting institutions encourages the active contribution of volunteers. Provide greater opportunities for regional Queenslanders to engage with museum experiences. Cobb+Co Museum, The Museum of Tropical Queensland, The Sciencentre Toowoomba Townsville South Bank Queensland Museum Statement Of Resource Implications The Queensland Museum’s The Queensland Museum Act 1970 This Strategic Plan includes plans for vision to become a museum provides the legislative responsibility the future requirments of a redeveloped to provide leadership and excellence Queensland Museum South Bank for all Queenslanders that in the preservation, research and campus. The aim is to become a actively partners with diverse communication of Queensland’s cultural national and international leader communities to enrich and natural heritage. As custodian of of knowledge, promoting science, the State’s largest natural and cultural innovation, technology and cultural understanding of self and collection the Queensland Museum’s identity through revitalised facilities, place is supported through State Collection is a pivotal asset that dynamic community spaces, interactive its strategic investment in forms a large part of Queensland’s exhibits, creative public programs and the statewide network of identity. improved access to the collection. Museums, public programs, Investment in the Museum’s internationally acclaimed research, exhibitions and the early childhood programs, skills training development, management in object-based learning, heritage and