Council’s heritage and art collections commended

Two of council’s prized heritage and art collections have been recognised by Museums and Galleries Queensland at a special event in Caloundra.

The Bankfoot House Heritage Precinct and Sunshine Coast Art Collection were presented with a Certificate of Recognition following participation in an intensive Standards Review Program assessing collection management practices against The National Standards for Australian Museums and Galleries.

The participating museums and galleries worked through the year-long program, which helped them to recognise their achievements, improve their practices and raise their profile.

Arts and Heritage Portfolio Councillor Rick Baberowski said the program offered a valuable opportunity to access independent advice on the management of these priceless community assets.

“Six local museums and collections across the Sunshine Coast local government area were involved in the review program,” Cr Baberowski said.

“The review was designed to help build skills and capacity, plan for a sustainable future, identify strategic priorities for improvement, develop an action plan and ensure the safeguarding and accessibility of community collections and stories.

“In the case of Bankfoot House, the Standards Program Reviewers congratulated council and the Friends of Bankfoot House for the work we have undertaken cataloguing and digitising the collection, the ongoing connection with families associated with the House, the series of studies and plans developed to guide the care and further development of the precinct and the collection and the tours delivered by the Friends of Bankfoot House.

“A major outcome of the program for Bankfoot House was in identifying future audiences and the development of an interpretation plan for the precinct that captures the many stories of the site as we approach a significant milestone next year and celebrate 150 years of Bankfoot House (1868 to 2018).

“Council was also congratulated for our professional approach to all aspects of the development and care of the Sunshine Coast Art Collection and our focus on providing access to the collection.”

Bankfoot House is a State heritage listed property, owned by council, located in Glass House Mountains.

The former Caloundra City Council purchased the house and contents from the Ferris family in 2004, establishing the property as a House Museum with a collection of around 6000 items.

The Sunshine Coast Art Collection includes more than 300 items that have been acquired since the late 1960s.

It has grown to include an exciting collection of contemporary Australian art, featuring works by artists Tony Albert, Michael Cook and Johanna de Maine, while also supporting regional creative industries through the acquisition of works by local artists.

The Standards Review Program aims to establish a long-term network for sustainable community museums and galleries as well as acknowledging the hard work undertaken by volunteers and paid staff to maintain Australian cultural heritage.

The other local participants in the program were Bli Bli on Maroochy Historical Society, Discover Eumundi Heritage and Visitor Centre, Pioneer Cottage Buderim and Yandina and District Historical Society.

Outcomes for these organisations included reinforced directions for the museums, reviews and updates to strategic and action plans, policies and procedures, prioritisation of the collection conservation and comprehensive maintenance plan development.

The Museums and Galleries Queensland Standards Review program was supported by council’s Cultural Heritage Levy program.

For more information on Bankfoot House visit https://heritage.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/Places/Bankfoot-House

For more information on the Sunshine Coast Art Collection visit https://gallery.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/Collections/Art-Collection

For more information on the Standards Review Program visit http://www.magsq.com.au/cms/page.asp?ID=5520