Italian Art and Design: Behind the Scenes Collections Tour
Thursday 21 & Saturday 23 May
This tour invites audiences into the heart of Museums Victoria’s collections for a rare glimpse into Italian creativity and craftsmanship.
Led by museum experts, participants will see objects spanning migration, art, fashion, and architectural design, uncovering the stories behind their creation, influence, and preservation.
By connecting history to collection care and curation, this experience offers a special insight into how museums safeguard design legacies while inspiring future generations.
After the tour, we welcome you to step into ROME: Empire, Power, People, extending the experience into the broader story of Roman influence and legacy.
Italian Language Tour
The 1pm session on Thursday 21 May will be delivered in Italian by Elizabeth Triarico (see below), Manager, CO.AS.IT. Italian Historical Society and Museo Italiano. Please note this session will be conducted in Italian only, with no English interpretation provided.
This program has been made possible thanks to the generous support of the Italian Australian Foundation.
This event is part of Melbourne Design Week 2026, an initiative of the Victorian Government through Creative Victoria.
Includes museum entry
Adult $59
Concession $51
Member Adult $49
Member Concession $44
Date & Time
Thursday 21 & Saturday 23 May
11am & 1pm
(45 minutes duration)
Key information
IMPORTANT: The 1pm Thursday 21 May tour will be delivered in Italian with no English interpretation provided. More info below.
PRESENTERS
English Language Presenters
11am Thursday 21 April, 11am & 1pm Saturday 23 April
Dr Moya McFadzean is responsible for developing the museum's migration and diversity-related collections and exhibitions, including collections representing Italian migration and settlement, frequently in collaboration with COASIT Museo Italiano.. Her curatorial work focuses on the application of material culture and memory of migration and cultural diversity to interpretations of Australian migration, refugee and asylum seeker narratives, as well as museums as sites of social activism and their potential for developing relationships of genuine engagement and reciprocity with communities. She has widely published and presented on these subjects in national and international forums.
Deborah Tout-Smith has been a museum curator for over 35 years, focusing on social and cultural history, with additional experience as a collections manager and registrar. She has a strong interest in the voices of those who can no longer be heard, or who were never heard. Her particular interests include World War I history, culinary history, home life and clothing and textiles. As a member of the International Council of Museums Executive Board, her professional focus includes the strategic frameworks that guide international museum practice, and the importance of international cooperation relating to issues including repatriation, restitution and climate change.
Italian Language Presenter
1pm Thursday 21 April
B.A., Graduate Diploma Museum Studies, Graduate Diploma of Management
Elizabeth is a long-standing museum and cultural heritage management and interpretation professional. In her role as Manager of the CO.AS.IT. Italian Historical Society & Museo Italiano located in Melbourne, she works closely with the Italian community to document, preserve and promote Australia’s rich Italian immigration and settlement story. Elizabeth is the co-ordinator of the 2019 Victorian Community History Award Winning IHS Exhibition, Carlo Catani, Visionary Creator Genius (which was presented in both English and Italian).
ACCESSIBILITY
Please view our accessibility page for general information. Contact our team on 13 11 02 or email us at [email protected] to discuss how we can support your visit.
