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 56 museums and 1 Keeping Place from 25 council areas within 8 regions have participated. In NSW these regions include: Hunter (2003), Western Sydney (2004), Central West (2005), Northern Rivers (2006), and Illawarra & Southern Highlands (2007). In Queensland these regions have included: Central East (2005), South East (2006) and, Far North Queensland (2007).

 

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

 

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:

Sarah-Jane Rennie

Manager, Sector Development

Ph +612 9339 9908

Email sarahjaner@mgnsw.org.au

 

 

Archive

Hair Jewellery c.1900s from Hurstville City Museum & Gallery, 2009 Standards Program participant

Hair Jewellery c.1900s from Hurstville City Museum & Gallery, 2009 Standards Program participant

Arms of Australia Inn Museum, 2009 Standards Program participant

Arms of Australia Inn Museum, 2009 Standards Program participant