10-year Museums Master Plan for Darwin

10-Year Museums Master Plan, Northern Territory Government, September 2019

The 10 Year Museums Master Plan for Darwin and Palmerston guides future investment, services and programs for the region’s museum sector.

The museum sector covers museums, galleries, libraries, art centres, keeping places and archives, and stakeholder consultation with the sector has informed the delivery of the Master Plan.

The Master Plan will ensure that infrastructure works in the sector over the next 10 years will provide new and unique experiences that draw more people to the Territory, create jobs and opportunities for emerging talent and industry, and foster new interpretations and discovery.

It includes five projects recommended for delivery within the next five years.

An art gallery in Darwin CBD – A new gallery space to showcase the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory’s (MAGNT) art collections, and significant national and international travelling collections.The gallery will help revitalise and increase activity in the city centre, encourage visitation, feature outdoor spaces that connect with green spaces and provide more opportunities for local participation in arts programs, special events, festivals, and other public programs.
This project is part of the historic $200 million City Deal, delivered in partnership with the Australian Government and City of Darwin.
MAGNT Bullocky Point Master Plan – Developing a new Art Gallery in the Darwin CBD provides an opportunity to revisit and reshape the future direction and visitor experiences at the MAGNT Bullocky Point facility.The master planning exercise will engage with the MAGNT Board, stakeholders, and the community, to explore the further opportunities of the Bullocky Point site.
Co-located library in a Darwin CBD Education and Civic Precinct – A feature of the Darwin City Deal, the Precinct will include a new city campus for Charles Darwin University (CDU) and will promote Darwin as a centre for excellence in education. A proposed new co-located library will house collections held by the Northern Territory Government, CDU and the City of Darwin.
Larrakia Cultural Centre – A new cultural facility to acknowledge and celebrate the historical and ongoing contribution of Larrakia culture. Developed by the Larrakia Development Corporation, the centre will showcase the linkages with other Aboriginal groups, teach and promote the Larrakia language, history and culture, and provide commercial and creative spaces for local Aboriginal artists and craftspeople.
Darwin and Palmerston routes for the Territory Arts Trail – The Darwin and Palmerston routes will include art and cultural attractions from MAGNT, independent museums, galleries and arts centres, and events such as the Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Award, the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair, and the National Indigenous Music Awards.The Master Plan will see the routes developed through the construction and upgrading of existing galleries, art centres, and other cultural facilities.

Additional potential projects for future investment are identified in the Master Plan for possible delivery in the longer term.

Initial consultation was led by local company, Hames Sharley to seek stakeholder views on the priorities and future investment in arts and cultural facilities in Darwin and Palmerston.

Download the 10 Year Museums Master Plan for Darwin and Palmerston (2.1 mb) (pdf)
Download the 10 Year Museums Master Plan for Darwin and Palmerston (1.1 mb) (doc)