Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery director Janet Carding says people have enjoyed being surprised. Photo: Richard Jupe.
Jennifer Crawley, Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery boss Janet Carding oversees boost in visitor numbers,The Mercury, 10 September 2016
IT’S been 16 months since Janet Carding took over the helm of the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery and there’s a palpable sense of energy in the much-loved institution.
Visitor numbers are up, the current exhibition Tempest has attracted thousands of locals and tourists, and two new exhibitions planned for this summer are expected to touch the hearts of Tasmanians.
“Museums and galleries play an important part of people’s history and identity but how to bring them to life and how to bring people to the museum is the challenge,” Ms Carding said.
“This museum is loved by the community but it needs to be used.
“Ultimately, I think museums say things about our humanity — about who we are.”
A total of 383,026 people visited TMAG in the 2015-16 financial year — up 6 per cent on the previous year.
Two major drawcards were the interactive exhibition Pattern Play, which attracted 71,444 visitors over five months, and Snapshot Photography and Migrant Women by Dr Nicola Goc, which attracted more than 30,000 visitors over six weeks.
