Double Victory for Museums Victoria at the AMaGA Victorian Museums and Galleries Awards
Museums Victoria is honoured to have won Australian Museums and Galleries Association Victoria awards in two distinguished categories: Large Project of the Year (Museums & Galleries) for Tyama: A deeper sense of knowing and Medium Project of the Year (Museums) for More Than a Tarrang (tree): Memory, Material, Cultural Agency.
The Australian Museums and Galleries Association Victoria (AMaGA Victoria) and the Public Galleries Association of Victoria (PGAV) presented the 2023 Victorian Museums and Galleries Awards on 10 October 2023 at ACMI. Since its inception, this annual event recognises outstanding achievements within the Victorian museum, gallery and community collecting sector.
‘These awards would not be possible without the incredible work and dedication of Museums Victoria staff,’ said Lynley Crosswell CEO & Director, Museums Victoria. ‘I also want to acknowledge the vital contributions of exhibition partners and collaborators.’
‘These two projects exemplify the creativity, expertise and networks that the Museums brings together to produce enriching experiences for all Victorians to enjoy. It is the diversity of these partnerships - including First Peoples creatives and knowledge holders, academics, universities, artists and digital and experiential designers – which make these exhibitions unique and compelling.’
Winning Medium Project for the Year, More Than a Tarrang (tree): Memory, Material, Cultural Agency is a ground-breaking exhibition that celebrates the profound significance of trees in the cultures of the south-eastern First Peoples.
Presented in collaboration with the Wominjeka Djeembana Indigenous research lab at Monash University and co-curated by emeritus curator, Kimberley Moulton, More Than a Tarrang (the Boon Wurrung word for tree) features rare Ancestral belongings and contemporary artworks from both established and emerging artists.
AMaGA judges said that the exhibition represents a remarkable First Peoples-led collaboration between museums and academia, challenging traditional norms and yielding an innovative outcome that beautifully merges natural and First Nations heritage. It is truly awe-inspiring and outstanding.
More Than a Tarrang is still open at the Bunjilaka Aboriginal Cultural Centre at Melbourne Museum until 5 November 2023.
Winning Large Project of the Year (Museums & Galleries), Tyama: A deeper sense of knowing is a first-of-its-kind, multi-sensory digital exhibition developed exclusively by Museums Victoria for Melbourne Museum.
Truly immersive, Tyama is one of the most technically ambitious exhibitions the museum has ever produced. It reimagines the museum experience, creating a nocturnal journey through different natural environments of the air, sea and land.
Tyama was developed in collaboration with Keerray Woorroong citizens Yoolongteeyt Dr. Vicki Couzens and Yaraan Bundle, and digital experience designers S1T2. AMaGA judges said Tyama was an exciting exhibition that showcases how larger cultural organisations can harness cutting-edge technology to innovate in exhibition display and visitor experience while honouring First Peoples' traditions and knowledge.
Museums Victoria also congratulates Sherene Hassan, Islamic Museum Australia, recipient of the Martin Hallett Award for Community Engagement.
