| Fast Facts |
| Timeframe |
2 1/2 years |
| Costs |
$78,000 (approx. $26,000 cash and $52,000 in kind) |
National Standards for Australian Museums and Galleries
The National Standards for Australian Museums and Galleries were produced collaboratively by a National Standards Taskforce in consultation with the museum sector and with reference to current practice, existing core standards, and existing development and accreditation programs. The Standards are structured in three parts: (A) Managing the museum, (B) Involving People, and (C) Developing a significant collection. Organised under nine Principles, the Standards are supported by Benchmarks, Tips and Resources. The publication includes a Glossary and a summary bibliography of the Resources. The Taskforce consists of representatives from key museum and gallery bodies across Australia and is committed to keeping the Standards relevant to the needs of Australian museums.
Who
The National Standards Taskforce consists of representatives of the following organisations:
Why
The need for up-to-date Australian standards to help people working in museums and galleries understand the nature of good practice and benchmarks for their work has become more evident with the emergence of standards and accreditation programs in several states. In 2006, separate sets of standards underpinned programs in South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland - but were lacking in the other states and territories. Following discussions at the May 2006 Museums Australia national conference, a group of organisations willing to work collaboratively as a National Standards Taskforce agreed to develop a single set of standards that could be used nation-wide by museums and galleries of all types and sizes.
How
The National Standards Taskforce met for the first time in July 2006 at the invitation of Museums Australia (Victoria). First it developed a new structural framework for the proposed national standards and then it incorporated the good ideas from the various existing standards within the new document.
The Taskforce worked co-operatively and aimed to share responsibilities around the group as the Standards were developed. The Taskforce used email as the primary tool for communication; which enabled any Taskforce member to initiate a new topic for discussion. A working document was developed that set out the 'Next Steps' for the project and the group identified new tasks; this document also recorded progress and achievements. Following several workshops and teleconferences, the Taskforce started to pool funds to pay for teleconferences and also to engage an editor to co-ordinate all changes to the Standards document.
In May 2007, the Taskforce launched an Exposure Draft of the National Standards for Australian Museums and Galleries, and sought feedback from the collections sector. The Taskforce received responses to the Exposure Draft from 43 individuals and organisations from across Australia. These represented a good cross-section of museums and other perspectives. Feedback was positive and constructive, indicating strong support and a variety of potential uses for the Standards.
During 2007, the Taskforce membership expanded to include representatives from all states and territories. Museums and Galleries NSW trialled the Standards in the Bathurst region of New South Wales in late 2007 and valuable feedback was provided by the six museums and galleries involved. Also in late 2007, the Collections Council of Australia engaged a project officer who reviewed the list of Resources.
At the final draft stage, the Standards were endorsed by each organisation represented in the Taskforce, and also by the Council of Australian Art Museum Directors, and by the Council of Australasian Museum Directors.
In early 2008, the Taskforce received a grant from the Ian Potter Foundation. This grant enabled the Taskforce to finalise the text and to publish the Standards on the Collections Australia Network website. The grant also enabled Museums Australia (Victoria) to employ the editor / project manager and designer, and the Collections Council to engage a copy-editor.
Information sessions are being held in various locations to build awareness of the Standards.
The work of the Taskforce will continue, because the Standards are available for review and revision by all users over time. In late 2008, the Taskforce will develop a forward plan to guide its activities to ensure the Standards retain their currency.
What
The collaboration by members of the National Standards Taskforce has resulted in:
- National Standards for Australian Museums and Galleries (Version 1.0) published as a PDF on 1 September 2008, and an HTML version released in early 2009.
- An 'open forum' for receipt of comments that will inform future versions.
- A draft forward plan to guide the work of the Taskforce and to appoint a secretariat for the group for 2009.
Useful resources
Barbara Wels - Contract editor
Dana Rowan - Copy editor
Dimity Mapstone - Designer
Claire McClelland - Resources project officer
Ian Potter Foundation
Collections Australia Network
Project website
http://www.collectionsaustralia.net/sector_info_item/107
Project contact
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