The Standards Program, implemented by Museums & Galleries NSW in 2003, and since 2005 in partnership with Museum & Gallery Services Queensland Inc. (M&GSQ), supports community museums through a process of self review and external feedback. It provides an exciting opportunity for museums to assess their practices and policies against minimum standards developed for public museums. The program aims to establish a long term network for sustainable community museums as well as acknowledging the hard work undertaken by volunteers and paid staff to maintain Australian heritage.

 

Since conception of the Standards Program in both NSW and Queensland 102 museums and Keeping Places within 12 regions have participated. In NSW these regions include: Hunter (2003), Western Sydney (2004), Central West (2005), Northern Rivers (2006), Illawarra & Southern Highlands (2007), New England & North West (2008) and Metropolitan Sydney (2009). In Queensland these regions have included: Central East (2005), South East (2006) Far North Queensland (2007), Gold Coast Hinterland & Scenic Rim (2008) and Southern Inland (2009).

 

The 2010 Standards Program will focus on the Orana/Dubbo region. View the participating museums here.

 

Key program components include:

  • Working with regional service providers to develop ongoing museum support,
  • Self-assessment by participants guided by minimum standards,
  • External peer review (Standards Review Committee – M&G NSW/ Advisory and Peer Review Committee – M&GSQ),
  • Identification of desired outcomes and on-site advice,
  • Practical tools to assist Participants in addressing key planning needs such as volunteer succession planning strategies, community engagement strategies, collection management policies, access to funding, working with local government and, business and research opportunities,
  • Promotion of participants achievements: certificate presentation, communication with participant stakeholders and,
  • Continuation of support and review.

 

The Standards Community Directory is an annual publication that lists all museums that have taken part in the Standards Program.

 

Museums & Galleries NSW has contributed to the development of a set of National Standards for Australian museums and galleries. Collecting organisations of all kinds are invited to use the National Standards framework as a resource.

 

Further information and enquiries regarding the Standards Program please contact:

Phoebe Arthur

Sector Development Co-ordinator

Ph +612 9339 9913

Email phoebea@mgnsw.org.au

 

 

Archive

Lightning Ridge Heritage Cottage Hospital Gallery

Lightning Ridge Heritage Cottage Hospital Gallery

Rylstone and District Historical Society Cottage Museum collection item: Spotted Quoll

Rylstone and District Historical Society Cottage Museum collection item: Spotted Quoll

Old Dubbo Gaol

Old Dubbo Gaol