Six regional NSW hubs to bring local collections to life
Portable photographic studio set-up at Orange Regional Museum (ORM) shooting an object from Canowindra Historical Society & Museum collection. Courtesy Annie Stevens and ORM for M&G NSW 2018.
Six regional areas across the State will have their collections digitally brought to life with close to $1.26 million in funding, made available under the NSW Government’s Regional Cultural Fund. These new digitisation hubs will be established in Tamworth, Albury, Maitland, Shoalhaven, Lake Macquarie and Warrumbungle councils.
The funding will enhance digitisation capabilities across NSW and improve access to important regional collections, and engagement with the regional museums and collections across NSW. This funding allows for the digitisation of significant artworks, museum objects and archives, while upskilling and employing professionals and volunteers in the field.
These six projects will kickstart digitisation in the regions by injecting funds for much needed specialised equipment, training and resources, creating a scalable mechanism to continue preserving the regional collections. Regional hubs will be able to share equipment and expertise with the smaller, and potentially volunteer-run, museums, galleries and Aboriginal Keeping Places in the area, passing on the technical skills that digitisation requires.
Highlights of the digitised collections will also be showcased on the Museums & Galleries of NSW Collections and Stories website, which will be further developed and launched as part of this funding. This platform will provide a ‘virtual regional museum’ to explore, research, educate and connect the unique collections of NSW.
The six digitisation projects will deliver an innovative hub and spoke model that will create and enhance partnerships between established and emerging digitisation hubs.
Learn more about the six digitisations projects.
Image: Portable photographic studio set-up at Orange Regional Museum (ORM) shooting an object from Canowindra Historical Society & Museum collection. Courtesy Annie Stevens and ORM for M&G NSW 2018.
Published: 31 March 2021