By Lucie Paterson

On Thursday 21 October Nick Poole and I set off on an adventure meeting with museums and galleries around NZ. Nick is the Chief Executive of the Collections Trust in the UK and was a keynote speaker at the National Digital Forum Conference, 18–19 October at Te Papa. National Services Te Paerangi sponsored Nick and then hosted him on a tour so our colleagues could meet Nick and be wowed by his enthusiasm and love of museums, their collections and their people – it was contagious!

The tour consisted of four days of morning workshops with museums and afternoon talks for sector folk and interested public. Nick’s talk, ‘United we stand: opportunities for museums worldwide’ is something I plan to listen to whenever I get bogged down with work and need a passion-boost! In case you missed the talk or want to re-visit the awesomeness here is the audio from the Wellington and Christchurch talks My favourite parts from Nick’s talks.

Some points I picked up from Nick’s talks:

• What is your strategic purpose? Does what you’re doing help you reach it? Constantly ask yourself this!
• Blurring the edges of your collection policy has to be the exception not the rule.
• We’re closed when people are open – other sorts of entertainment offer fun from 5pm and that’s when we’re closed.
• Take the museum to the people – take some collections and tell stories in a retail space where there’s lots of foot traffic.
• If someone isn’t interested in coming to your museum or gallery, they’re certainly not going to visit your website. You need to put your collections where the people are online. Adding your collections to Flickr or something like NZMuseums or DigitalNZ makes more sense and is cheaper! Make your content discoverable.
• Research shows when you show people collections on a museum’s website they don’t know what to do with it.
• Students and researchers are a small audience and shouldn’t be the reason you’re digitising your collection.
• Often with large digitisation projects, breadth distracts from depth.
• Why not spend more money on marketing and reach than digitising your whole collection? Get more people into the museum!

Nick’s message to small museums

Don’t forget to celebrate the position you’re in. You have the ability to be more nimble than larger organisations. You can play with ideas and take more risks.

Listen to Nick’s Wellington and Christchurch talks
See Nick’s presentations on SlideShare

Time to be a tourist/museum geek!

We also managed to squeeze in a bit of time at each stop to check out the current exhibitions. It was a stunning day in Auckland when we were at the Museum of Transport and Technology. This is the view from Cropper House.

We were very fortunate to be in Christchurch when Ron Mueck’s astounding sculptures were also in town. Director, Jenny Harper spent some time showing us around Blue Planet, Brought to Light: A New View of the Collection and Ron Mueck. In Brought to Light Jenny explained how the John Reynolds work Table of Dynasties 2009  (below) became the Gallery’s own richter scale during the earthquake! When it reached a certain number the work would be disturbed, otherwise it didn’t move at all.

Here are a series of photos I took at the Ron Mueck show – yes, you can take photos (no flash of course) – hooray!

This is Nick inspecting a pimple on the back of Wild man.

In Dunedin after a rather cheek-numbing walk along St.Clair beach our first stop was Otago Settlers Museum. They’re currently going through a major redevelopment and are reopening in late 2012, so the timing for a workshop was spot on. Then it was onto Dunedin Public Art Gallery for the public talk. Here Tim Pollock, the marketing manager showed us around and I was very taken by this piece by John Ward Knox titled ush. This is actually carved out of the gallery wall!

After the Dunedin talk we journeyed up the hill for a quick tour of Olveston and then out to the Dunedin airport to say our goodbyes. The trip was fantastic and the feedback from museums and galleries that met Nick has been really positive. Everyone’s asking when he will be back!

Image credits:

1: Nick Poole presenting ‘United we stand: opportunities for museums worldwide’ at Christchurch Art Gallery
2: View from the Cropper House’s verandah looking down on the Museum of Transport and Technology
3: John Reynolds, Table of Dynasties 2009, Christchurch Art Gallery
4, 5, 6,: scultpures by Ron Mueck, Mask II, Wild man, Two Women
7: John Ward Knox, ush 2010, alteration to existing architecture, Dunedin Public Art Gallery

Keynote speakers: Michael Edson, Smithsonian Institution and Nick Poole, Collections Trust

Michael Edson is the Smithsonian Institution’s Director of Web and New Media Strategy. Michael has worked on numerous award-winning projects and has been involved in practically every aspect of technology and New Media for museums.

In addition to developing the Smithsonian’s first Web and New Media Strategy and the Smithsonian Commons concept, Michael helped create the Smithsonian’s first blog, Eye Level and the first Alternative Reality Game to take place in a museum, Ghosts of a Chance. Michael has a BA from Wesleyan University.

Michael’s past presentations on Slideshare: http://slideshare.net/edsonm
Links and highlights: http://smithsonian-webstrategy.wikispaces.com/Michael+Edson
Twitter: @mpedson (http://twitter.com/mpedson)

Nick Poole is CEO of the Collections Trust, the UK organisation which campaigns for the public right to access and engage with Collections.

Nick advises Governments, funders and cultural agencies throughout the world on issues relating to the new Digital Economy, including standards, IPR, social media and emerging business models. He has published and lectured worldwide, and is currently the Chair of the UK branch of the International Council of Museums. He is also a Trustee of the Museums Association and the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals.

Nick represents the UK within the European Commission on issues relating to culture and technology. In his spare time, he works freelance as a Web Architect and Technical Producer for online platforms. Nick studied languages at Cambridge University and holds postgraduate qualifications in Historical Linguistics and the History and Philosophy of Science. He also holds a Foundation Degree in Fine Art & Illustration.

Nick blogs at http://openculture.collectionstrustblogs.org.uk
Nick publishes online at http://www.collectionslink.org.uk
Twitter: @NickPoole1 (http://twitter.com/NickPoole1)

National Digital Forum 2010 Conference
Linking data, linking people

Monday 18 – Tuesday 19 October 2010
Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, Wellington

More information: http://ndf.natlib.govt.nz/about/2010-conference.htm

Register
The financial year is coming to a close on 30 June for Government. Check to see if your department has any reserve funds to allow you to register today!
Register now: https://www.eiseverywhere.com/ereg/index.php?eventid=12560&

Digital BarCamp and DigitalNZ Get Together

You’re invited to Digital BarCamp
Proudly brought to you by National Services Te Paerangi and DigitalNZ
9.30am–3.30pm, Wednesday 20 October
Venue: TBC
Cost: nothing, it’s free!
Contact: luciep@tepapa.govt.nz

2nd Annual DigitalNZ Get Together
11:00am – 3:00pm, Sunday 17 October
Level 1, National Library of NZ, 77 Thorndon Quay
Contact: gathering@digitalnz.org

Everyday there is another day, week or month to celebrate an organisation, group or cause. So, why should museums be any different?

International Museum Day is an opportunity to celebrate the important role museums play in preserving our history, and encouraging an exploration of our future. The International Council of Museums (ICOM) established International Museum Day in 1977 to encourage public awareness of the role of museums in the development of society. Every year it is celebrated worldwide around 18 May. ICOM provide many resources for museums and galleries including event and media kits for museums to download and adapt to their own organisation.

I have gathered together what I know of happening in museums and galleries in Aotearoa over the next week or so in celebration of OUR day!

If you know of any other events or special exhibitions please comment below.

Auckland Museum
Auckland Museum is providing free tours of the galleries. Gain an inside knowledge of the Museum’s remarkable collections from their guides.

Otago Museum
Venture into the depths of the Otago Museum basement for a glimpse of the humanities objects and natural science specimens held within. Special guided tours are on offer of the collection storage areas, hosted by the people who take care of them.

Whangarei Museum and Kiwi House
Local schools and teachers are invited to bring their classes to the Museum and Kiwi House at Heritage Park for free during International Museum Week (17th-21st May).

Whangarei Art Museum
The Museum is offering free coffee and muffins on International Museum Week (17th-21st May)

Clapham Clocks
Clapham’s Clocks will have a half price entry day for all members of the public on Saturday 22nd May. During the week 17th-21st May they will have free entry for school groups but this must be booked in advance. They will also have a special display on mantle clocks.

Dunedin Gasworks Museum 
Visit the unique Edwardian engine house where the boiler will steam up all the original pumping plant. Enjoy a guided tour and pikelets being cooked on a gridle on an old gas stove for afternoon tea. It’s also a chance to find out more about the exciting plans and opportunities for the future. See the Museum on Channel 9 TV.

Image: Wet Room #3, Neil Pardington, Otago Museum, 2008, Lambda/c-print

By Lucie Paterson, National Services Te Paerangi

2 March 2010

Feeling a little bit low in cash this Festival season? Don’t despair; this year’s New Zealand International Arts Festival is full of free events and you needn’t look further than your local museums and galleries to find them.

Exhibitions, floortalks and art talks galore – below is a selection of what the museums and galleries in the country’s capital have on offer for free (or a few dollars!) to rev up your Festival fever!

City Gallery Wellington

Janet Cardiff: The Forty-Part Motet
Séraphine Pick
Trans-form: The Abstract Art of Milan Mrkusich

Sound, colour and form are all celebrated in the work of three leading artists during the free Festival Season. City Gallery is also a venue for many of the Festival’s free Art Talks.

Adam Art Gallery

Anthony McCall: Drawing with Light

Anthony McCall’s first exhibition in New Zealand bridges the gaps between the cinematic, sculptural and pictorial. His extraordinary ‘solid light films’ manifest as immersive installations made by drawing in real space with projected light.

Museum of Wellington City and Sea

Vessels: Daniel Brown

It’s also internationally renowned multimedia artist Daniel Brown’s first New Zealand exhibition. Visitors will be transported to a quiet tranquility as if they have ventured into the world of souls. This world premiere of Vessels features music by Mark K Johnson.

Mahara Gallery

Frances Hodgkins: Kapiti Treasures

Several private Kapiti collectors contribute to this exhibition of 30 paintings, drawings and lithographs. Kapiti Treasures reflects the special relationship that the Kapiti district has with the much-loved, expatriate New Zealand artist Frances Hodgkins.

Te Papa

New Zealand at the Venice Biennale 2009

Judy Millar and Francis Upritchard were the two chosen by Creative New Zealand to officially represent New Zealand at the prestigious Venice Biennale in 2009. Judy Millar’s Giraffe-Bottle-Gun features enlarged paintings stretched on shaped canvases and really fills the room.  Francis Upritchard’s Save Yourself is an installation of figures on tabletops, that form surreal groupings of dancers, dreamers, and searchers lost in their own reveries.
New Zealand Portrait Gallery

The 2010 Adam Portraiture Award

The 2010 Adam Portraiture Award promotes the best of contemporary portrait painting from artists throughout New Zealand. Ninety-three of the best entries hang in the New Zealand Portrait Gallery at Shed 11.

Pataka

Light & Shadow Drawings: Catherine O’Donnell

Large-scale charcoal drawings reveal the dimly lit public spaces and back streets of central Blacktown, Australia (Porirua’s sister city) at night.

Bamiyan: In the Heart of Afganistan

This exhibition explores the history and culture of this strife-ridden region through local crafts, photographic images and audio visuals. Presented through the eyes of the locals together with interviews and images of New Zealanders working with the New Zealand Provincial Reconstruction Team in Bamiyan Provence.

The New Dowse

Shapeshifter

Wellington’s pre-eminent outdoor sculpture exhibition Shapeshifter features artworks by nearly 60 leading and emerging New Zealand artists. Shapeshifter is an exciting fusion of contemporary indoor and outdoor sculpture set amongst the striking venues of TheNewDowse and the beautiful Civic Gardens.

New Zealand International Arts Festival
26 February – 21 March 2010
http://www.nzfestival.nzpost.co.nz

Image one: Vessels by Daniel Brown
Image two: Francis Upritchard, Bone Dancer, 2009
Imahe three: Judy Millar, Giraffe-Bottle-Gun, 2009

By Lucie Paterson, National Services Te Paerangi

30 June 2009

On Thursday Donna Williams, Chief Audience Development Officer from the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York spoke at Te Papa about how  the Met is  diversifying their audience.

Here are the main points I teased out of the talk:

Relationships is the key word
The Met started the Multicultural Audience Development Initiative with a diverse committee of people who are involved in and believe in the arts.

Pick people from organisations with the right criteria to work with you. Listen to these people so you know what you are doing right and wrong. Listening to what they think should be part of your museum’s strategy.

Friendraising to make your museum work
Make everyone feel like they are a friend of your museum. Approach and welcome new and diverse communities, multicultural and multigenerational groups to be a part of your museum’s fibre.

Collaborate

• With other museums.
• With your staff members. They are the best ambassadors for an initiative like this internally as well as externally.
• With your museum’s trustees. They are just as interested in diversifying the museum’s audience as you are.

Celebrate all communities
Acknowledge and celebrate all heritage events. The Met celebrate Martin Luther King Day, Diwali, Womans History month, Latino Espanic holidays, and have a gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender community group who enjoy special events in the Museum as well.

Don’t be afraid to ask people
Get out in your community and ask people to be part of your museum. Ask people to help you. Celebrities in New York have started doing public services announcements and interviews about the museum on TV for free!

Get out there!
40% of Donna’s time is spent out there in the communities, letting people know they are all part of the same story and the same museum family. Do what ever you can to find out about relevant events you can tag your museum onto.

Media outreach
Make sure you are in the community papers as well as the main paper. Most people read both. By getting your presence in both, it shows you care.

Local outreach
Reaching out to the local community is even more important now in this economic climate. Don’t just target the international visitors, you have to get the people at your own back door to come more often. Make it attractive to them.

Diversity in programming
Acknowledge different communities celebrations at your museum. Through exhibitions, lectures, gallery talks, receptions, education programmes the Met recognises Native American Heritage, Hispanic/Latino heritage, Asian heritage, South Asian heritage, African America heritage, Women’s heritage, social justice etc.

Branching out
Mentoring programme for college students. These are potential future staff members. All communities should be represented. The Met are able to help students go forward in their careers. They are able to come and work at the Met for 10 weeks and receive a stipend. One of their most successful initiatives was a toga party that attracted over 3000 young people into the Museum.

In addition there is a College Advisory Group at the Met for 18-23 year olds. This age group is often forgotten about. 25 students from all over New York strategise about how to get their age group to the Met.

Family programming
The Met has visitation programmes that cover a entire life time:.
– Starting with programmes for parents with babies
– Met then has family programmes which attract 500,000 students per year
– Visitors can then move onto the high school internship programme
– Then the college group at the Met
– Then adult membership…
Everyone needs to be able to find a spot in the museum circle.
Listen to Donna Williams’ talk
Download Donna’s presentation