Deputy Premier and Member for Bathurst Paul Toole and Minister for the Arts Ben Franklin today announced $1,500 in support for Millthorpe resident through the NSW Government’s Museums & Galleries NSW Fellowship, Mentorship & Volunteer Placement Program.
Millthorpe & District Historical Society is one of 15 recipients funded through the program who will share in a total of $40,000 in funding targeted to deliver professional development opportunities for arts and cultural workers across the state.
Hayley Lavers will complete a placement at Australian Museum tutoring and working with Australian Museum staff with collections, threats, storage, pest controls, disaster preparedness to then share her new knowledge with volunteers of Millthorpe’s museum on return.
Minister for the Arts Ben Franklin said the program assists practitioners to undertake a unique learning opportunity that will deliver knowledge back into volunteer-run museums and galleries throughout NSW.
"The 15 successful recipients will acquire experience and skills that will enable them to develop new ideas, build connections and opportunities for their organisation as they return with new skills learnt from the best in the business," Mr Franklin said.
Member for Bathurst Paul Toole said the opportunity is a win for both Hayley and Millthorpe.
"It is fantastic that our smaller museums and galleries continue to receive this investment each year and I'm delighted Hayley is being rewarded with this important development opportunity that will also benefit Millthorpe Historical Society."
Brett Adlington, CEO of Museums & Galleries of NSW said the Placement Programs are vital opportunities for cultural workers to gain on the ground experience across a wide range of organisations.
“The program is specifically developed to cover all levels of staffing, including for volunteers. Having firsthand experience as a past recipient of a Fellowship, I can attest that it is an incredibly impactful program that can shape the professional development of a recipient’s career,” Mr Adlington said.
Previously supported through the fund, Cecilie Knowles said she benefited greatly from her placement with Orange Regional Gallery Mentorship at the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia.
“I've come away with increased confidence and greater insight into programming for young people and people with complex access requirements and look forward to developing my ideas and sharing what I've learnt with my colleagues in Orange,” Ms Knowles said.
The Fellowship, Mentorship and Volunteer Placement Program is a Create NSW devolved funding program administered by Museums & Galleries of NSW (M&G NSW) through annual Small Grants funding of $300,000.
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