Museums Australia is a membership organisation providing national and state services, and national networks for people with specific museum interests.

Who Are We?

We are the Victorian branch of Museums Australia — the national association for the museum and gallery sector.

What Do We Do?

Our professional services for the Victorian museum community include:

  • advice on museum matters
  • information resources
  • grants for museum projects
  • museum accreditation
  • networking
  • professional development
  • seminars and workshops.

We represent and provide programs for over 500 members from across the state.

Latest News

Expression of Interest to host the Museums Australia (Victoria) State Conference 2013

Posted 17th April, 2012

Following from the success of the 2012 State Conference held in Ballarat in March, MA (Vic) are now seeking Expressions of Interest from Victorian regions interested in hosting the State Conference in either April or September 2013. 

If your organisation/region is interested in hosting the conference, please complete the Expression of Interest Form which is available online. The form is designed to establish the suitability of potential regions to host the next Conference, to cater for our members’ needs.

Completed forms must be emailed to the MA (Vic) office address: mavic@mavic.asn.au no later than 5pm on Friday 25 May 2012.  Shortlisted EOIs will be notified by 13 June 2012.


MA (Vic) State Conference in Ballarat - Podcast Available

Posted 31st March, 2012

Thank you to everyone who attended Collect, Conserve, Connect: Museums Australia (Victoria) State Conference 2012.

We are pleased to announce there is a podcast available for the public panel session on disaster planning: Risky Business: Our heritage is too important to be lost forever, thanks to our partnership with ABC Radio.

The panel members were:

  • Susan Fayad: Heritage Coordinator, City of Ballarat
  • Norman Free: Manager, State Fire Management Planning Support
  • Jim Gard'ner: Executive Director, Heritage Victoria
  • Mark Remnant: Community Development Officer, Buloke Shire
  • Roger Trudgeon: Curator, Gold Museum Ballarat
  • Special Guest: Robyn Riddett, Blueshield Australia

> Visit the ABC website to hear the podcast


Victorian Collections Official Launch

Posted 29th March, 2012

Museums Australia (Victoria) in partnership with Museum Victoria announces the launch of Victorian Collections a free, easy to use, online cataloguing system for all types of collecting organisations throughout Victoria.

The Victorian Collections project was officially launched by Penny Hutchinson, Director of Arts Victoria, at the Museums Australia (Victoria) State Conference held in Ballarat on Thursday 29 March 2012.

Victorian Collections is an online tool for groups wanting to take the initial step from manual to digital cataloguing. For the past twelve months the project has undertaken pilot training and consultation sessions with historical societies, RSL’s, community collections and museums throughout Victoria.


Upcoming Events

International Museums Day After Work Event

Friday 18th May 2012
5:45 pm- 7:45 pm

In 2012 the International Museums Day theme is Museums in a Changing World: new challenges, new inspiration. Join us for a Friday evening get-together for IMD at the Old Melbourne Gaol.

The evening will include short presentations by museum peers with an education/public programs focus, live music, drinks, canapés and networking, and conclude with an optional ghost tour.

Presentations by:Priscilla Gaff, Museum Victoria; Christine Healey, Heide Museum of Modern Art; Peter Hoban & Marion Littlejohn, Sovereign Hill; Jess Simmons, Old Melbourne Gaol;Patrick Watt, National Sports Museum and Ingrid Wood, National Gallery of Victoria.

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Victorian Collections - Advanced Workshop

Tuesday 5th June 2012
1:00 pm- 5:00 pm

This workshop will develop your skills in identifying significant collection items allowing prioritisation of the collection for grants and conservation works. The complex world of copyright will also be outlined particularly in regards to historic collections and putting images and information online. Finally, brush up your photography skills and capture clear and useful images of your collection items to help with exhibitions, publication and online catalogues.

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Victorian Collections Cataloguing Workshop

Wednesday 6th June 2012
10:00 am- 4:00 pm

The Victorian Collections cataloguing workshop is a complete day of training. There is a morning of basic collection management training and after lunch each attendee will photograph and catalogue an item from their organisation’s collection using the Victorian Collections system. Each organisation should aim to send at least 2 or 3 people to the training. This will spread the load of cataloguing, distribute the experience and make cataloguing an easier and more pleasant experience. Please bring a collection item for each person attending the training.

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Masterclass: Immunity from Seizure Legislation

Wednesday 6th June 2012
10:00 am- 3:00 pm

Shane Simpson AM will facilitate a discussion regarding the Australian Government's proposed Immunity from Seizure for Cultural Objects on Loan legislation and the risks and benefits associated with its introduction.

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Victorian Collections Cataloguing Workshop

Thursday 7th June 2012
10:00 am- 4:00 pm

The Victorian Collections cataloguing workshop is a complete day of training. There is a morning of basic collection management training and after lunch each attendee will photograph and catalogue an item from their organisation’s collection using the Victorian Collections system. Each organisation should aim to send at least 2 or 3 people to the training. This will spread the load of cataloguing, distribute the experience and make cataloguing an easier and more pleasant experience. Please bring a collection item for each person attending the training.

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