Friends of the Museum

One way of generating ongoing support for the museum is to establish a Friends Program. Associations of Friends are voluntary charitable organisations which are formed specifically to support their adopted institution. There is usually a membership fee for joining these associations.

Friends groups can do almost anything, provided that they bear in mind their main purpose of providing support and assistance to their museum or gallery. Their activities usually fall into four categories:

Generating income

for special projects such as restoration/conservation work
for the ongoing work such as the exhibition development
for publications

Public relations

developing publicity campaigns
organising and running special events
liaising with local newspaper and radio
lobbying for government support

Recruiting members

word of mouth recruitment
organising visits to other museums, galleries
publish news letter
hold previews
hold social events for members of the Friends group

Provide volunteer workers for

catering
researching
collecting admission fees
specialist tasks, such as accounting or developing education kits
helping plan the market garden
gathering props for exhibitions

The Australian Federation of Friends of Museums (AFFM), is a national, not for profit organisation connecting museum, gallery and library supporters throughout Australia. Their website provides information and resources about forming and running a Friends of the Museum group.

We recommend that you refer to the Museum Methods sheet No. 1.11 on Friends which was updated in 2009. It is available to purchase from the Museums Australia website.

Download - Friends of the Museum

Friends of the Museum

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