Museums as centre for democracy
Architect’s view of revamped Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery. Photo: Architects FJMT.
Damien Peck, Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery could become centre of democracy, says visiting museum director, 13 August 2015
A town icon such as the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery (TMAG) could become the centre of democracy in Hobart according to the head of a national museum.
Hobart’s most central museum, TMAG underwent a redevelopment to parts of the building in 2013 and opening hours were cut last year.
But Daryl Karp, Director of the Museum of Australian Democracy in Canberra, has told Tasmanian leaders that museums created dialogue about justice, freedom, and fair representation for future generations.
Ms Karp said her vision of using a museum built around a town square could create conversations to explore ideas in the community.
“What we want to do is to encourage conversation and encourage dialogue and to bring in as many voices as possible,” Ms Karp told Sarah Gillman on 936 ABC Hobart.
“It really is about having the conversation and getting involved and engaged with it.”
Ms Karp said TMAG, in the heart of Hobart, could be a centrepiece of civic engagement by exploring ideas of democracy.
“If we can get somebody to think about ‘what does democracy mean to me or to you?’ and then apply that with ‘what would life be like without democracy?’ then we’ve done a terrific job,” she said.