New partnership new era for Australian Museum, Arts News, 16 February 2016
The Australian Museum recently announced an historic partnership with Westpac, and the NSW Government to restore the nation’s first museum gallery, and to showcase its 200 most significant treasures.
Arts NSW sat down with Kim McKay AO, Executive Director and CEO of the Australian Museum to highlight the entrepreneurial work that the Australian Museum is undertaking to develop new business partnerships and audiences.
2015 was a big year for the Australian Museum – with the introduction of Free Kids and the opening of the new Crystal Hall entrance. In regards to the Australian Museum’s future, what are you most excited about?
We’re currently Master Planning – developing a business case and design for a new wing of the AM on the corner of William and Yurong Streets. The AM has an extraordinary collection of more than 18.5 million natural science specimens and cultural objects and we’re determined to share more of the collection with the public. If the funding is provided, it will be a game-changer for the AM and be a new major international cultural attraction for Sydney.
Developing partnerships and collaborations are central to the continued success of NSW arts and culture. How important are new partnerships to the sustainability of the Australian Museum’s work?
Partnerships and collaboration are essential for all cultural institutions in the future. We’ve already forged a raft of new sponsorship partnerships and philanthropic gifts as well as collaborative partnerships through the Australian Museum Research Institute – including joint appointments of science researchers with Universities.
