Report: "Local Government & Cultural Collections in Victoria" | Australia

Museums Australia Victoria, the Victorian branch of national association Museums Australia, has recently released a report entitled Local Government & Cultural Collections in Victoria. The report illuminates the important contributions to Victorian cultural life made by council collection activities, and identifies opportunities for enhancing this work. It includes findings about council collections and displays, and draws attention to how councils assist community collecting groups such as Historical Societies. The report also brings to light some of the challenges faced by council staff working with cultural collections, and recommends actions and resources to help councils make the most of the cultural collections they care for. Among the issues addressed by the report are the availability of local cultural collections; display facilities; preservation; differences between metropolitan and non-metropolitan councils; availability of exhibitions and programmes; human resources; cataloguing; budgets; learning and networking opportunities; relations with community groups and volunteers; external funding opportunities; and needs identified. The report is the first of its kind in Victoria and is the culmination of a two-year research project into Victorian local government activities with art, public art, history, and civic collections. All 79 Victorian councils participated in the project. Local Government & Cultural Collections in Victoria is available as a free download at http://www.mavic.asn.au/news/90