M&G NSW and ACHAA, the Aboriginal Culture Heritage and Arts Association, are deeply saddened to learn of Donna Biles Fernando’s recent passing.

A Muruwari and Ngemba woman from Brewarrina, NSW, Donna was a leading curator and cultural worker, strongly advocating and championing best practice for working with First Nations communities during her career spanning more than 20 years.

Donna was instrumental in building strategies for engaging with First Nations communities for several organisations, including leading the project that embedded Terri Janke and Company’s First Peoples: A Roadmap for Enhancing Indigenous Engagement in Museums and Galleries into the National Standards for Australian Museums and Galleries 2.0.

Along with other members of the Aboriginal Reference Group working with the Museum of Art and Culture in Lake Macquarie, yapang, Donna’s ground-breaking work included the development of a much respected First Nations framework providing ongoing consultative and governance processes within the institution. This was backed up by numerous landmark exhibitions including: yapang marruma: making our way (stories of the stolen) in 2009; we. wiyelliko (2019-2020) and Lore & Order (2015-2016) and at Newcastle Art Gallery INSTRUMENTAL CAUSE, (2021) and miyarnuwimanha: NICOLE MONKS at The Lock-Up, (2020).

Most recently, M&G NSW and ACHAA commissioned Donna to curate an exhibition bringing together significant works from artists connected to ACHAA Aboriginal Cultural Centre members. During this time, Donna visited many ACHAA member centres, working with staff to complete audits of their collections and seeking potential works for the exhibition.

We remember Donna for her warmth and enthusiastic sharing of knowledge, particularly the nuanced way she ensured non-First Nations people gained enhanced insight into challenging and complex parts of Australia’s history.

The post Vale Donna Biles Fernando first appeared on MGNSW.

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The Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences is giving away a number of storage and transportation crates.

These former Powerhouse art storage / transportation crates are of ply and timber construction.

They will be available for collection from Powerhouse Ultimo from between 2 – 13 September

Please contact Tom Wilcox via thomas.wilcox@powerhouse.com.au to reserve the crates or if you have any questions.

Inquiries will be responded to on a first come, first served basis.

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M&G NSW is pleased to announce that we are now accepting applications for two grants from the Volunteer Museum Grant Program for 2024. These grants are designed to assist volunteer community museums and Aboriginal cultural centres in NSW. Funded by the NSW Government through Create NSW and administered by Museums & Galleries of NSW, the program is designed to provide access to funding and experience in the grant application process.

Grants available in Round 2 are:

Small Grants
Up to $2,000

Small Grants are for short-term, collection-based projects. There are no set funding categories, and applications for a broad range of projects will be considered.

Applications close: 8 September 2024

Project Development Grants 
$2,500 – $7,500
Project Development Grants allow community museums and Aboriginal cultural spaces to carry out strategic and innovative projects with mid to long term outcomes. The grants can also provide an opportunity to work productively with an appropriate consultant as a skill development opportunity.

Applications close: 8 September 2024

Skills Development Grants

Up to $4000 for the development and delivery of skill development training and networking events. The events are expected to involve more than one museum and usually bring in a professional consultant to run one or a series of workshops.

Applications are accepted until funding is expended.

Leg Up Grants

Matched funding of $50 – $500 for volunteers to attend or host development activities in NSW. The grants can cover the cost of attending a workshop, conference or course, bringing a presenter to your museum or the travel costs of a group of volunteers visiting another museum.

Applications are accepted until funding is expended.

For more information about the Volunteer Museum Grants program contact Alice Norwood, Museums Coordinator, alicen@mgnsw.org.au
Phone: (02) 5663 2338

First-time applicants or those with limited grant-writing experience are encouraged to reach out for ongoing assistance.

Find out more about M&G NSW’s grants program

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Museums & Galleries of NSW would like to congratulate the successful applicants for our Round 1 Small Grants for 2024.

In this round, we received applications for projects that focused on exhibition development, collection care and collection management. Each project submitted in this round demonstrates the dedication and commitment the volunteers have for their museums.

The Volunteer Museum Grant Program is a Create NSW devolved funding program, administered by Museums & Galleries of NSW on behalf of the NSW Government.

The successful Small Grants Round 1 recipients are:

Braidwood Museum
$ 1,835.90 – To purchase museum display cases

Scone Museum
$ 1,654.00 – to purchase archival storage materials

Coolamon Up-to-date Store
$ 1,959.81 – To purchase additional tracking/hanging system equipment for the Coolamon Up-to-Date Store

Port Macquarie Museum
$ 963.10 – To purchase archival storage materials

Pilot’s Cottage Museum
$ 1,979.54 – Work with renowned Dharawal Elder Dr Aunty Joyce Donovan and an Aboriginal researcher to transform the way Aboriginal history is displayed and interpreted in the museum

Young Historical Museum
$ 1,688.35.  – Purchase of four wall mounted shadow boxes for display of collectable school items

Nowra Museum
$ 925.00 – To engage a professional conservator, to conserve the smoking cap of artist and photographer, Samuel Elyard (1817-1910)

Ballina District Museum
$ 1,987.55 – To digitise museum objects, to be used within the museums’ catalogue and on Storyplace, for the Ballina District Historical Museum, the Ballina Naval and Maritime Museum and Crawford House Museum.

Canowindra Historical Museum
$ 1,774.50 – to digitise the Canowindra Star Newspaper 1930 issues

The Volunteer Museum Grant Program is a Create NSW devolved funding program, administered by Museums & Galleries of NSW on behalf of the NSW Government.

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When you next visit the Storyplace website, take some time to read through our latest stories, among which are fifty stories from Museums Bathurst hub and spoke network. This includes stories from Chifley Home, Bathurst Rail Museum, National Motor Racing Museum, Australian Fossil and Mineral Museum, Bathurst Regional Council Civic Collection, Bathurst District Historical Society, Rockley Mill and Stables Museum, Bathurst Agricultural Research Station and Bathurst Regional Gallery

We extend our thanks to Museums Bathurst staff and the dedicated museum volunteers we’ve had the pleasure to work with to bring Bathurst stories to Storyplace. Our partnership stemmed from Museums Bathurst initiating its own digitisation program, and then partnering with M&G NSW to co-ordinate and administer the writing of object stories by Storyplace’s contract storytellers.

Since forming our partnership with Bathurst, we have also commenced working directly with other regional museums in ways tailored to suit each hub or spoke. This includes with Port Macquarie Museum, National Trust NSW (Saumarez Homestead) and Crawford House Museum at Alstonville, who are working directly with our Storyplace team to author and edit stories written by museum volunteers. We welcome interest from any regional museum, gallery or keeping place who has existing quality object images, or are planning to undertake object digitisation, and would like to publish object stories from your collection on Storyplace.

Please contact the Storyplace Project Manager by emailing kateg@mgnsw.org.au

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We are excited to be back with an updated Standards Program in 2024. We’ve refined our program to align with the National Standards for Australian Museums and Galleries 2.0.

This year we will be running the program in the Northern Rivers. Participating museums include:

• Iluka Museum
• Evans Head Living Museum
• Ballina District Museum
• Alumny Creek School Museum

The Standards Review Program is a nine month program M&G NSW runs annually. It helps museums, galleries and Aboriginal cultural centres benchmark themselves against the National Standards for Australian Museums and Galleries. Participants are given access to expert advice and mentorship from our specially appointed Standards Reviewers.

The program is designed especially for small to medium museums, galleries and Aboriginal cultural centres. It allows organisations to appreciate the work they and their volunteers have achieved as well as assisting them in raising their profile and providing guidance for the future of their organisation.

Visit the Standards Program section of our website to find out more.

The Standards Program is funded by the NSW Government through Create NSW

Image: from top left Alumny Creek School Museum, Iluka Museum, Ballina District Museum, Evans Head Living Museum

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Join us in extending a warm welcome to Lana Marshall, the newest addition to the M&G NSW team, stepping into the role of Communications Coordinator.

Lana recently graduated from the University of New South Wales in 2023 with distinction, holding a Bachelor of Design and a Bachelor of Media with a focus on PR and Advertising.

With valuable experience in graphic design, communications, and marketing, Lana has previously worked as the Marketing Coordinator at Head On Foundation and as a Marketing Intern at Art Pharmacy.

We’re thrilled to have Lana on board, and we look forward to her enriching our team.

You can contact Lana at: comms@mgnsw.org.au

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Join our Register of Peers

Museums & Galleries of NSW is seeking expressions of interest from across the museum, gallery and Aboriginal cultural centre sector from individuals wishing to be considered to join our Register of Peers.

The Register of Peers is comprised of people who work or volunteer across the sector in NSW. We place great emphasis on and welcome diversity within this advisory group. Some members possess specialised skills in specific art forms, cultural heritage, or technical areas relevant to our endeavours. Others bring forth a wealth of knowledge, experience, and involvement within the industry. Each peer generously contributes their time to provide current insights, expertise in industry best practices, and the capacity to conduct impartial and informed assessments across our grant programs.

As a Peer participant, you’ll not only gain valuable hands-on experience but also deepen your understanding of the sector. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to create connections and build networks in the industry.

If you’re a sector professional or volunteer contributor and want to be involved, register your interest by emailing comms@mgnsw.org.au.

Please include in your expression of interest: an up to date resume including the names and contact details of two referees and a statement about your particular skills, knowledge, and interest in being selected to be involved, and willingness to comply with M&G NSW’s adopted Code of Conduct.

If you are unsure about your suitability or have a question about the process or commitment required, don’t hesitate to get in touch.

DEADLINES FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST: 30 June 2024

The term of the new Register of Peers will commence in July 2024 through to the end of June 2026.

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Museums & Galleries of NSW recently concluded its Annual General Meeting, bidding farewell to outgoing Chair, Ray Christison and Deputy Chair, Susi Muddiman as their terms came to completion. Stepping into these crucial roles are Kylie Tung, who assumes the position of Chair, and Phil Gordon, who takes on the role of Deputy Chair.

Furthermore, M&G NSW warmly welcomes Margot Jolly and Sarah Gurich as newly appointed Directors, bringing fresh perspectives and expertise to the board.

Ray stated that, “it has been a privilege and delight to Chair the M&G NSW Board for the past five years and immensely satisfying to work closely with CEOs Michael Rolfe and Brett Adlington to help guide this organisation through many changes”.

M&G NSW extends its heartfelt gratitude to Ray Christison and Susi Muddiman for their exceptional dedication and leadership during their eight-year terms on the board. Their invaluable contributions have significantly influenced our governance and strategic direction. We are immensely grateful for their commitment and wish them continued success in their future endeavours.

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The post M&G NSW Bids Farewell to Chair and Deputy Chair and Welcomes New Board Members appeared first on MGNSW.

FLENK is a collective of artists, educators, and digital creators who produce learning resources and programs for arts and cultural organisations that connect audiences to contemporary art and artists.

We recently sat down with FLENK members Laura Carey and Nicole Barakat to discuss the inception of FLENK and their strategies for developing public programs and engagement projects at a number of regional galleries.

www.flenk.org

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