Powerhouse Museum

Published: 20 Aug 2008

PHM regional services program 2009

The Museum is inviting regional organisations in NSW to express interest in participating in the Regional Services Program in 2009. The Powerhouse Museum offers a range services including training opportunities, professional assistance and expert advice. We are particularly interested in developing collaborative projects with regional communities and building effective relationships to achieve substantial outcomes. Applications can be made by organisations in regional NSW responsible for managing cultural heritage collections, including museums, galleries, historical societies, libraries and community organisations. The internship program is applied for by the individual who is interested in undertaking the placement but the application is to be supported by their organisation.

Application for the 2009 Program

To assist the Powerhouse Museum’s planning, organisations and individuals are invited to complete an application for the relevant program (see below). Applications will be considered in the light of available resources, Powerhouse Museum priorities, and significance of the outcomes from the proposed project. There are three program areas for which applications are invited in 2009.

Regional Services program 2009

NSW Organisations who are undertaking collection projects in 2009 are encouraged to submit an expression of interest for assistance from the Museum indicating their area of interest, type of activity and likely timeframe. Applications will be considered in the light of available resources, Powerhouse Museum priorities, and significance of the outcomes from the proposed project. Please indicate on the form the extent of local support available, either financial or in kind, for your project. In 2009 it will be necessary, in most instances, for the costs incurred when undertaking a site visit to a regional location (staff travel and accommodation) to be met by the applicant. Applications due by 26 September 2008.

Please note support provided for NSW regional organisations by the Powerhouse Museum is primarily in the form of access to the expertise of staff and training opportunities. It is not a grants program. Collaborative projects are particularly encouraged and can include assistance with resources as necessary for the achievement of the identified outcomes. Formal acknowledgement of the support received from the Powerhouse Museum will be also required. If successful, the activities can be arranged at the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney or take place locally. Possibilities include


· On site visit by specialist staff to assess the significance of an object or collection and advise on conservation and storage needs

· Workshop on an agreed topic for organisation members and interested members of the local community

· Assistance with planning a local display

· Development of a collaborative exhibition proposal

· Powerhouse Museum participation in a local heritage event

· Loan of an item from the Powerhouse Museum collection for a local exhibition

· Research and documentation of objects in a collection

Regional Internship and Staff Placement

Individuals are invited to apply for this program which provides training and professional development opportunities for regional museum and gallery workers by accessing the resources of a large cultural institution. Applications due by 26 September 2008.

Movable Heritage Fellowship

Students resident in NSW enrolled at any campus of a university in NSW are invited to apply for a scholarship offered by the Powerhouse Museum. The aims of the Fellowship are to stimulate research into the movable heritage of NSW, increase skills in movable heritage interpretation, raise awareness of the importance of community collections in understanding Australian society, and to encourage students to work with community museums. The successful student will undertake a research project on an object or group of objects in a community museum, historical society or other collecting institution. Applications close 7 November 2008.

Application forms are available online at http://www.powerhousemuseum.com, or from the Regional Services Coordinator, Rebecca Pinchin, telephone 02 9217 0220 or free call 1800 882 092.


Forthcoming training events

I would like to draw your attention to two forthcoming events being offered by the Powerhouse Museum as part of its Regional Services Program. The workshop and seminar are part of the Powerhouse Museum’s program which supports cultural heritage organisations across New South Wales to record, preserve and display their collections for the benefit of regional communities. Bookings are essential please email regionalservices@phm.gov.au for booking form.


Investigating and interpreting history for the visitor is a practical training workshop for volunteer guides. The workshop will be held during History Week on Monday 8 September 2008 from 10am to 4pm at the Powerhouse Discovery Centre, Castle Hill. The workshop will be presented by Powerhouse staff and volunteers and special guests working in the field will also participate.



Behind the seams is a one day seminar designed for those working in regional galleries and museums which have costumes in their collections. The Australian Costume Register will be launched at the seminar, which will be held at the Powerhouse Museum on Monday 10 November 2008*. The seminar will include a practical component and a behind-the-scenes tour of the Powerhouse Museum’s costume collection. (* Please note change of date for this event).

For further information on any of the above programs please contact Rebecca Pinchin, Regional Services Coordinator, Telephone 02 9217 0220, Free call 1800 882 092 or Email regionalservices@phm.gov.au

Enquiries

Rebecca Pinchin
Regional Services Officer
Tel: +61 02 9217 0220
Email