AM’s “Ramses and the Gold of the Pharaohs”

Claire Vince, Australian Museum’s record-breaking exhibition welcomes half a million visitors, Australian Museum, 29 April 2024

Sydney: Friday 17 May 2024: Today, Ramses & the Gold of the Pharaohs has broken records at the Australian Museum (AM) selling more than 500,000 tickets, becoming the most visited exhibition in the Australian Museum’s history and one of the most popular cultural exhibitions ever hosted in New South Wales. The exhibition closes this weekend, on Sunday 19 May 2024.

Ramses the Great and the Gold of the Pharaohs exhibition. Image: Supplied © NEON/World Heritage Exhibitions.

Australian Museum Director and CEO, Kim McKay AO said the exhibition’s outstanding success demonstrates the community’s continued desire for authentic cultural experiences and connection.

“The Australian Museum has presented an exhibition that delivered thrilling storytelling alongside rare ancient artefacts evoking a sense of discovery and exploration. An exhibition of such scale and complexity transported our visitors to another time in Ancient Egypt and united them in a remarkable shared experience,” Kim McKay said.

“Throughout the exhibition’s six month run, we have welcomed visitors from across generations, regions and backgrounds, who have all visited the Australian Museum seeking a deeper understanding of the world around us. It has been one of the greatest privileges to see the spark of curiosity across the faces of the young and old who have all delighted in the story of the reign of Ramses II.”

The Hon John Graham, NSW Minister for the Arts, Jobs and Tourism, congratulated the Australian Museum on its extraordinary exhibition run. “What an incredible success, not only for the Australian Museum, but also our state. This exhibition has stimulated the local economy and demonstrates the importance of presenting cultural experiences of international calibre. I commend the museum for welcoming more than 500,000 plus people to see Ramses & the Gold of the Pharaohs as well as 1.2 million visitors to the AM already this year.”

The coffin of Ramses II on display in the Ramses & the Gold of the Pharaohs exhibition. Image: James Alcock © Australian Museum.

Responding to demand, and at times welcoming more than 10,000 people a day, the Australian Museum extended exhibition hours, opening from 9am to 9pm seven days a week in the final months. The museum also hosted reduced sensory experience sessions, to accommodate the needs of diverse audiences alongside an equity of access education program for socio-disadvantaged schools across NSW. The AM’s public program of lectures, conversations, and school holiday events for audiences provided a deeper understanding of the exhibition.

Executive Chairman & Group CEO of presenting partner NEON, Ron Tan, said the success of the exhibition is a testament to the enduring appeal of Ancient Egypt.

“Being able to share the wonders of Ramses’ reign is a true joy. It reaffirms the power of history to captivate and inspire and we are so proud to have partnered with the Australian Museum to bring Ramses & the Gold of the Pharaohs to Australia,” Ron Tan said.

World Heritage Exhibitions CEO John Norman said Ramses & the Gold of the Pharaohs has seen record-breaking attendance across the world, and Sydney has been no exception.

“In touring this extraordinary exhibition to major cities across the globe, we have seen first-hand the overwhelming positive reaction from audiences who are captivated by Ramses & the Gold of the Pharaohs.Australians have embraced their love for Ancient Egypt and it has certainly brough the countries closer together,” John Norman said.

Once packed up from the Australian Museum, Ramses & the Gold of the Pharaohs will travel to Germany, where it will be hosted by Odysseum in Cologne from 13 July.

Ramses & the Gold of the Pharaohs was presented in partnership with World Heritage Exhibitions, Neon Global and the Houston Museum of Natural Science, with the support of Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities. The exhibition was proudly supported by the NSW Government through the Create NSW Blockbuster Funding initiative, Adventure World and Accor Hotels.

# ENDS #

Editor’s Note:

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Media Contacts

Australian Museum:

Claire Vince, Media and Communications Adviser
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0468 726 910
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Articulate PR:

Isabel Wright
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Clare Callaghan
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0450 223 485
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Claire Martin
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0414 437 588
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See also: Egyptian exhibition in Sydney attracts 500,000 visitors