MUSM7032
Museum and Gallery Administration
The Course
• An emphasis on case studies, as examples and for comparison as a way into the material
• Museum and Gallery Administration as a relatively ‘closed’ world unless you are doing the job. I will aim to open up that world
• Lectures? We would prefer conversations
Who are you?
Who are you?
• Your name• Your current role, or experience of
Museums & Galleries• A question you want answered
through this course
Part 1
• Introduction to course• Role of Museums & Galleries• Government policies• New challenges, trends and current
issues• Governance and leadership
Part 2
• Planning and delivering major projects in the cultural sector - at the Australian Museum
• Planning and delivering projects at the AGNSW - with Anne Flanagan
• Project managing cultural projects
Part 3
• People Skills, from an employers perspective
• Leadership Skills
• Guest Lecture - Dawn Casey
• People skills, from an employees perspective
Part 4
• How museums and galleries are organised• Operational management• Problem solving and creative solutions• Visions, purposes and missions• Strategic planning in the cultural sector
Part 5
• Funding and finances in the cultural sector• Financial management• Branding for museums and galleries• Marketing in museums and galleries• Conclusions and Wrap-up
Questions?
Assessment
Project Plan 1000-2000 words- 35%
Develop a project plan for one of the following hypothetical projects:
• A children’s book based on objects in the indigenous collections at the Australian Museum.
• A temporary exhibition at the Powerhouse Museum on the history of mobile telephones, with accompanying online programs
• A two-day conference at the Historic Houses Trust on the History of Australian architecture to coincide with Sydney Open weekend.
• A new educational program on art for high school students, delivered by the AGNSW to coincide with the Archibald Prize.
• A hard hat tour of the site at the MCA during construction for its new extension.
Each plan should include a short statement of the aim of the project and key objectives; a schedule of activities; an initial assessment of resources; a risk assessment; and include a list of the assumptions you have made.
Essay - 3000 words - 65%
• The arts policy Creative Capacity +: Arts for all Victorians states that all Victorians should have access to arts and cultural activities. Other cultural policies take a similar approach. What opportunities and challenges does this objective present for Museums and Galleries?
• ‘The characteristics of cultural leadership and what makes it different is important’, Charles Saumarez Smith, CEO of the Royal Academy, London.2009. What are the characteristics of an effective leader for a museum or gallery in the 21st century?
• ‘Museums’ future lies on the internet says Serota and MacGregor’ (The Guardian 8 July 2009). Discuss how Museums and Galleries can address this challenge in strategic, organisational and leadership terms, taking two institutions as examples.
• Many cultural organizations deliver their public program using specially-created project teams. How can managers support and challenge their project teams to work effectively?
• Can a museum or gallery be sustainable? Discuss with reference to the Museums Australia document MUSEUMS AND SUSTAINABILITY: Guidelines for policy and practice in museums and galleries (2003)
Questions?
The Reader
Questions?
The Role of Museums
Case Study:
National Museum of Australia
Government Policy
Case Studies:
Creative Capacity +, Arts for all Victorians, Arts Victoria, Victorian State Government, Australia
Challenges and Trends
Analysis:
Adrian Ellis (2002 and 2009)
Do you agree?What other challenges and trends
would you add?
Governance
Models:
Private Board
Government Direct management, Board, Trust
Not-for-profit Board, Trust, Council
Governance cont
• Role of Boards/Trusts
• Role of CEO, Director
Museum and Gallery Trusts
Case Study:
Australian Museum Trust Act 1975
Museum and Gallery Directors
Case Study:
Australian National Maritime Museum
Legislation/Constitution
Vision/Mission/Purpose
Strategic Plan
Operations Projects
Next Week
Meet at William St Entrance of Australian Museum. 9-30am.