MUSEUMS AND COLLECTIONS UNIVERSITY OF MELBOURNE

In 2020 the University of Melbourne endorsed our Cultural Commons strategy, which provides a renewed and dynamic focus for the collections and museums of the University. Phase one of this strategy has seen the formation of the Museums and Collections Department, bringing together the Ian Potter Museum of Art, Buxton Contemporary, Science Gallery Melbourne, Grainger Museum and Old Quad and their collections under a structure delivering an enriched academic, scholarly and civic experience through a diverse program of exhibitions, events, research and education. 

Within the Museums and Collections Department there is a new Academic Programs team, supporting and delivering exciting academic engagement opportunities with our cultural collections into teaching and learning across all disciplines of the University of Melbourne. 

Throughout 2021 we will continue to support and deliver a diverse suite of interdisciplinary Academic Programs to thousands of students across multiple subjects and faculties. It will also be a time for new opportunities, with the following initiatives on the horizon:

A new vision for academic engagement
The academic programs team will be developing a new strategic plan, to articulate its vision to support innovation in research and teaching. This will include internships and creative residencies across all venues and University degrees, new breadth subjects and masterclasses, and research partnerships with key Faculties, research units and ARC Centres of Excellence.

Launch of Science Gallery Melbourne
Science Gallery is a brand-new experimental gallery, where art and science collide. It opens in late May with the exhibition MENTAL.

A reimagined Ian Potter Museum of Art
The Ian Potter Museum of Art will dramatically expand its facilities for cross-disciplinary study and teaching, and events, alongside its exhibition spaces. The addition of a new Study Centre for collection research will position the Museum within an international context of best practice. While the Museum will remain closed throughout 2021, a program of events and activities will ensure students and the public can continue to engage with the Collection throughout the year, including 21 x 10, a year-long program drawing from the University of Melbourne Art Collection. 

A re-envisioned Grainger Museum
A new strategy has been developed for the Grainger Museum to revitalise the Museum and collection, and to connect it more robustly to academic and student life, to further stimulate research and experimental music practice, and grow Percy Grainger’s legacy. Academic engagement will be at the core of the new offering, along with a new creative residency.

New exhibitions at Buxton Contemporary and Old Quad
A diverse program of exhibitions will be delivered throughout 2021, including Light Source Commissions at Buxton Contemporary and Multivocal and Emu Sky at Old Quad

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