Archive for the ‘Sector Development’ Category
The Adventures of Bonnie Melrose
Posted on: 23 June 2016
While I myself am already confident that culture ‘counts’, I was more than happy to help the Rockhampton Art Gallery and company Culture Counts convince others of this!
On the 26 May I headed off to the Rockhampton Art Gallery to view The Adventures of William Yaxley exhibition and the Cream exhibition, both developed in-house by the Gallery. I completed Peer Assessor pre- and post-visit surveys about both exhibitions, as part of the ‘Culture Counts 2016 Queensland Pilot’.
M&G QLD held its 2015 State Conference from 6-7 August at the award-winning The Workshops Rail Museum in Ipswich. The Conference is a major industry event for people working throughout the public museum and gallery sector in Queensland and is held every four years.
Feedback from delegates was very positive with 98.6% of delegates, who responded to the evaluation survey, rating their overall satisfaction with the Conference as ‘excellent’ or ‘good’ and 100% of delegates rated the organisation of the Conference as ‘excellent’ or ‘good’.
Delegates were asked ‘What were the highlights of this Conference’?
- “Being in Ipswich; Liverpool presentation; connecting with people in education and public programs.”
- “David Fleming was amazing! Thank you for arranging such an incredible international speaker with rich knowledge and experience in the industry.”
- “As always the organisers have successfully balanced topics relevant to museums and galleries, and addressed current issues – providing practical case studies.”
- “I enjoyed all of it and found it incredibly worthwhile – especially the mix between blue sky thinking and actual results.”
At this Conference, Read the rest of this entry »
These delightful photos were taken at the Swedish American Museum and they feature the opportunities children have to explore being a pioneering Swedish child about to become an immigrant and resident in America. Children prepare for this big event by dressing up as immigrant children, buying a ticket in a child’s size ticket booth and going up one side of a big boat ready for departure. They leave from Sweden and arrive on the other side of the boat in America. Read the rest of this entry »
Mary Low from the Cairns & District Chinese Association Inc (www.cadcai.org) writes from her M&GSQ internship at the State Library of Queensland:
One of my stated objectives during this internship was to learn more about digital imaging. During week one, I got to spend time with the Digital Imaging and the Microfilm Unit at Cannon Hill. I learnt about the types of photographic equipment used: SLR cameras, overhead camera stands, book cradles and scanners, including a beaut wide-bed scanner which takes oversized images such as architectural plans and maps. I am lucky to receive hands-on training to use the equipment and software to photograph, scan, process, and file images in digital format on both Mac and PC systems. The digital imaging team is currently digitising material for the Q Anzac 100 Project and an on-line exhibition about Qld architecture, Hot Modernism.
The training and conversations I have had with SLQ digitisation staff have given me deeper understanding of the processes involved in digital preservation, and the knowledge to begin to digitise our community’s collection of historical and contemporary photos, news clippings, ephemeral and other objects.
SLQ has developed a number of useful resources which are available on line to encourage and assist groups and individuals to digitise and preserve their collections. See links below:
M&GSQ 2013 Mentorship, Exchange and Fellowship Program is funded by Arts Queensland through the Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF). RADF is a joint Queensland Government and Local Government partnership to support local arts and culture.
Mary Low from the Cairns & District Chinese Association Inc (www.cadcai.org) writes from her M&GSQ internship at the State Library of Queensland:
The State Library is the largest collecting institution in Queensland, with 1.7 millions of books, one million photographic images and millions of ephemera objects, maps, musical scores and works of art. From day one I quickly get an idea of what that looks like and the volume and wealth of material that the SLQ conservation unit processes in order to preserve and make its collections accessible to the public through loans and exhibitions online.
Day one, I meet my mentor, senior conservator Rachel Spano who gives me a tour and overview of the SLQ conservation unit which is located on level five. Rachael takes time to explain the work of the three main teams within the unit: visual media, collection conservation, and digitisation and microfilm (located at Cannon Hill.)
I am shown the labs and dedicated work spaces where various tasks such as digital imaging, photographic copying, box making, book binding, and paper preservation and restoration are carried out. I meet some of the staff. I also accompany Rachel to the quarantine, in the basement where a new significant acquisition, the Rechabite Collection has just been delivered and will proceed to be, surface cleaned, and checked for mould and treated for bug infestation by freezing or placing in the mobigas chamber before being catalogued. I am impressed by the equipment, resources and established systems in place. I feel privileged to have this opportunity to observe best practices in action and learn as much as I can during my time with the conservation unit.
M&GSQ 2013 Mentorship, Exchange and Fellowship Program is funded by Arts Queensland through the Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF). RADF is a joint Queensland Government and Local Government partnership to support local arts and culture.
Demounting and installing an exhibition at a large gallery has been an interesting exercise.
Basically the system is the same as we undertake in our ‘little’ space (compared to MRAG!)
But there are a few tips and new techniques I have learnt- the laser level being the best idea.
I love the works hanging without wires – but think this would be difficult in our situation as it is more time consuming and in a smaller space the walls could begin to deteriorate in appearance with the constant ‘bogging’ – even if you are a master painter!
Had a ‘fun’ time yesterday with the foam core- I have always struggled to use it but will return with a new attitude towards this substance- get a new craft knife and keep it clean & sharp!
Placement of the wall labels is simplified with a purpose built stick – we need to make one of those!
M&GSQ 2013 Mentorship, Exchange and Fellowship Program is funded by Arts Queensland through the Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF). RADF is a joint Queensland Government and Local Government partnership to support local arts and culture.
A week at the Maitland Regional Art Gallery began by demounting an exhibition of works that are insured for $4.4million! – Master pieces from the Peter Elliot collection.
The systems used by the team are pretty much what we do at the Grassland Art Gallery but they do have a couple of nifty ideas that I will take home and implement.
My favourite thing is the laser level – no red wool stuck up with blue tack! We want one of those – soon as!!!
I do like their blocks of wood covered in carpet used to prop work off the floor and their cleaning trolley which is loaded with all the tools and materials needed for an installation.
Eight people all knowing what they are doing – what a breeze. Everything down, packed away, walls painted, the next exhibition works framed, placed and up on the wires.
M&GSQ 2013 Mentorship, Exchange and Fellowship Program is funded by Arts Queensland through the Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF). RADF is a joint Queensland Government and Local Government partnership to support local arts and culture.
Newcastle Museum is exciting and innovative- interactive- it is all about activity, activation and change. A museum is not the same for ever; NM is not a ‘crusty’, everyone wants something different and NM tries to give it to them. Different exhibitions for different people- giving them an experience they don’t get anywhere else.
NM has recently opened a shop, the goal of the of the shop is to bring people in to the shop to purchase – it is not just targeting sales at the museum audience. Merchandise is being created with the idea that customers will come and purchase a unique gift that they can’t get elsewhere.
Exhibitions are developed with the community in mind, as a recognition of their identity. Key learning-Labels: wording for labels should be short and sweet, written to be comprehended by a twelve year old. Simple language, clear explanations.
Also an image of the ferry- what a way to go to work each day!
M&GSQ 2013 Mentorship, Exchange and Fellowship Program is funded by Arts Queensland through the Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF). RADF is a joint Queensland Government and Local Government partnership to support local arts and culture.
Arrived at Newcastle Museum on Monday Feb 3rd- what a great place, 3 heritage listed buildings with high ceilings, with heavy industrial beams, arched windows placed in exposed brick walls and joined unashamedly by new modern construction forming the reception foyer and link gallery.
Oriented myself with the exhibition spaces- there are permanent and changing exhibition spaces.
One gallery has Newcastle’s story- uses photos everywhere- no captions. Random photos from across the years narrate the heritage of the city.
Love their photowall – we can do this in Tambo!! Park side of the Carrangarra.
This Museum knows its community and designs its exhibitions to engage and interest them.
Key Idea: Interpreting local stories- objects and their stories need to have a connection to the ‘place’- not a random display of objects.
Tuesday:
Roped into Tuesday Tales- every Tuesday story reading for under 6 year olds, a great public programming initiative. I spoke with a few of the Mothers- they come every week, consider the Museum very welcoming, very child friendly and focused. Exhibitions and activities are often aimed at/interesting/engaging for children. Mothers may stay at Museum longer for children to go to miniova (science activities for small children), play or have a coffee, check out new exhibitions.
Later in the day I went on radio with Julie Baird, the Deputy Director. Julie has a monthly spot on the local ABC- Local Treasures. In this way the Museum connects with the community, puts call outs for assistance with information, engages interest in the exhibitions and maintains a high community profile.
M&GSQ 2013 Mentorship, Exchange and Fellowship Program is funded by Arts Queensland through the Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF). RADF is a joint Queensland Government and Local Government partnership to support local arts and culture.
Museums & Galleries Qld 