GLAM sector sets sights on WA's new museum

The 2016 Museums Australia Western Australia (MAWA) conference will explore exhibition and audience experience ideas that could be incorporated in the Liberal National Government's $428 million new museum project.
  • Local and international speakers at Museums Australia State Conference
  • Engaging communities - new times, new strategies theme

The 2016 Museums Australia Western Australia (MAWA) conference will explore exhibition and audience experience ideas that could be incorporated in the Liberal National Government's $428 million new museum project.

Opening the event at the State Library of Western Australia this morning, Culture and the Arts Minister John Day welcomed State, national and international speakers from the Galleries, Libraries, Archives and Museum (GLAM) sector.

"The theme of this year's conference is 'engaging communities' and speakers and delegates will explore creative approaches to planning and working with communities, and activating collecting organisations," Mr Day said.

"This is about developing a more sustainable and innovative GLAM sector in WA, and it is especially important that tourism and heritage engagement feature strongly."

Dustin Growick, from Museum Hack in the United States of America, will provide unique perspectives on community interaction.

"Museum Hack's mantra is 'museum tours for people who don't like museums'," the Minister said.

"The organisation is now active in major institutions in New York City; Washington, DC; and San Francisco, so I look forward to the dynamics that presenters like Dustin will bring to the growing WA museums scene.

"This sharing of local and international knowledge will help ensure WA's new museum is at the forefront of visitor experiences when it opens in 2020."

The conference program also includes speakers from the State Library of WA, The University of Western Australia, National Trust WA, Fremantle Prison and the Western Australian Museum, as well as international speakers presenting via Skype.

"The Liberal National Government recognises the crucial role cultural organisations play in our communities," Mr Day said.

"That is why we have invested strongly in the development of WA's new museum and the revitalisation of the Perth Cultural Centre, where we have seen how the creative use of culture and arts programming can generate community connections and vibrancy."

Fact File

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