Opening Doors: 2019 Museums & Galleries Qld Conference

Opening Doors, the 2019 Museums & Galleries Queensland (M&G QLD) Conference, is a major professional development initiative dedicated to the volunteer and professional workers in Queensland’s public gallery and museum sector. Held every four years, the Conference provides a forum for the sector to come together and discuss issues affecting contemporary regional and public museum and gallery practice at a local, national and international level. Opening Doors will explore how museums and galleries today are talking more and more about ways of engaging with our diverse audiences and stakeholders. There is an increasing pressure to grow visitor numbers and much has been written about audience research and development. But how do we as museums and galleries meaningfully engage with our communities and respond to our visitors’ voices?

 Connecting with visitors is one of the most important aspects of running a museum or gallery. Without a welcoming atmosphere, engaging interpretation and a wide audience reach, people will find other ways to spend their time. Knowing and understanding who our many communities are, and then listening and communicating with them is central to developing interpretation and exhibitions, designing relevant programs and promoting them effectively. This should also be integral to how we collect and undertake research. Challenging ourselves to think beyond counting heads to the quality of interactive opportunities and audience and stakeholder engagement will be explored throughout the Conference, along with organisational changes required to become a truly inclusive museum or gallery. The Conference will include a Welcome Reception, two full days of Keynote and Parallel Presentations, Networking Dinners at local restaurants, Gallery and Museum Achievement Awards, and Masterclasses and Workshops. Keynote presenters Tasia Duske, CEO, Museum Hack, New York, USA Frith Williams, Head of Experience Design, Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa Julian Meyrick, Strategic Professor of Creative Arts, Flinders University Tracy Puklowski, Director of Creative Arts and Cultural Services, City of Launceston Masterclasses / Workshops available Friday 20 September: High Leverage Marketing – How to attract + engage audiences without breaking your budget: Michael Alexis, Director of Marketing, Museum Hack, New York, USA Storytelling in Space: Frith Williams, Head of Experience Design, Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa Time Tunnels: Russell Milledge, Lecturer in Media Arts, James Cook University Caring for Paper Documents and Books: Melanie Sorenson, Conservator Social Activities Tuesday 17 September: 1pm-5.30pm: Cultural Bus Tour ($49)This tour will include afternoon tea and a visit to Mulgrave Settlers Museum in Gordonvale, followed by a visit to Yarrabah Arts & Cultural Precinct including Menmuny Museum and a Boardwalk tour. 3pm-4.30pm: Cordage and Core Basketry WorkshopIn this workshop, you will learn from artist Anne Jillett, Ellis Road Fibre Art, who creates woven forms from natural materials, yarn and recycled fabrics. Hosted by KickArts Contemporary Arts. 5pm-5.45pm: Cairns Arts and Culture Map - Public Art Walking TourGet an introduction to Cairns Arts & Culture Map and a taste of the vibrant collection of public art in the Cairns CBD. Hosted by Cairns Regional Council. 5pm-5.45pm: Cairns and District Chinese Association Inc. TourExplore CADCAI's significant collection and storage facility. 6pm-7.30pm: Welcome Reception at Cairns Museum Wednesday 18 September: 6pm-7pm: Pre-Dinner Drinks by Australian Museums and Galleries Association (AMaGA) and Public Galleries Queensland (PGQ)Facilitated by the AMaGA Queensland and PGQ committees, come along and meet fellow members. Not a member? That's ok, you are welcome ot attend and find out more about AMaGA and PGQ. From 7pm: Networking DinnerNetwork with colleagues over dinner. These networking dinners are grouped by area of interest. Please select which dinner you would like to attend when registering: Public program / community engagement / visitor services Exhibition / curatorial / interpretation Open to all delegates Thursday 19 September: 5.30pm-8pm: Gallery and Museum Achievement AwardsThe Awards honour the achievements of individuals and organisations in striving towards excellence. They are open to museums, galleries, historical societies, keeping places and other related cultural organisations and the individuals who work in them. This event will include networking over refreshments and the Award presentation to the 2019 winners and finalists. Friday 20 September: 9am-1pm: Masterclasses and Workshops We encourage you to visit Cairns’ cultural institutions on Tuesday or Friday, and stay the following weekend to explore the region. For more information on the 2019 M&G QLD Conference, including Travel Information and a Draft Program, go to http://www.magsq.com.au/cms/page.aspID=10449        Important Dates Early Bird Registration closes 19 July 2019Late Bird Registration closes 30 August 2019 All registration costs listed include GST and Eventbrite fees.Concession: Volunteers, Students or PensionersMember: Australian Museums and Galleries Association members, Public Galleries Queensland members