Museums and Galleries of NSW

**About** Museums & Galleries of NSW helps small-medium museums, galleries and Aboriginal cultural centres create exciting experiences for visitors and, through this, thriving local NSW communities. We don’t run museums, galleries and cultural centres but we care about those who do. We develop their skills, connect them with others in the industry, provide funding, point visitors their way, and give them access to ground-breaking exhibitions. We have a special allegiance to the tiny, the volunteer and the remote organisations and have several programs which address their special needs. As an organisation we’re involved with program delivery, professional development, small grant funding and Aboriginal cultural development projects. Put simply, everything we do is designed to improve the visitor experience. **Our programs** We administer the [Museums Standards Program](https://mgnsw.org.au/sector/support/standards-program/) in NSW which assists small and volunteer-run museums to maintain their collections and interpretive displays in keeping with Australian standards and industry best practice. This is important so that our cultural heritage is preserved for the future. Our [Museum Advisor Program](https://mgnsw.org.au/sector/support/museum-advisor-program/) connects museum professionals with small and volunteer-run museums. The advisor provides expertise in nominated areas of need–whether it is improving visitor experience or cataloguing their collection. We continue to work with the Aboriginal Reference Committee and Create NSW in response to the key recommendations from the successful summit *Keeping Places & Beyond: Building Cultural Futures in NSW*. In addition, M&G NSW is committed to our [Reconciliation Action Plan](https://mgnsw.org.au/sector/aboriginal/mg-nsws-rap/). By engaging in the RAP process, we are developing a deeper understanding of NSW Aboriginal culture while providing leadership to museums and galleries who want to have their own RAP. We also work closely with the NSW regional gallery network touring major exhibitions through NETS, the National Exhibition Touring Support agency of which we are the NSW member. In this role we help develop, coordinate, and provide practical hands-on assistance in coordinating [travelling exhibitions](https://mgnsw.org.au/sector/exhibitions/) around the state and further afield. M&G NSW delivers a range of seminars, workshops and helps organise and deliver conferences annually. The highlight is the [IMAGinE awards](https://mgnsw.org.au/sector/support/imagine/) celebrating excellence and innovation across the sector. **Values and Purpose** As a result of extensive consultation with sector representatives, stakeholders, funding agencies and staff and board during 2019 – 2022, Museums & Galleries of NSW (M&G NSW) adopted a new strategic framework based on a refreshed Purpose and Vision, defined Methods and Outputs, all within a clear and ethical set of Values outlining what we stand for and how we behave. Our stated Values, Purpose and Vision position us well to ensure that galleries, museums and Aboriginal cultural centres can contribute to this vision and are able to reflect, challenge, involve and support their communities in a variety of ways. **Our Values:** **Respect** We value Aboriginal people and their right to cultural ownership and their need for cultural self-determination. **Relevant** We remain relevant to contemporary cultures, government policy, industry, community and sector needs. **Collaborative** We embrace a spirit of sharing, partnering and learning. **Inclusive** We believe that diversity across cultures, people, ability and geography represents a strong sector and organisation. **Ethical** We are trustworthy, accountable and transparent, and work consciously to increase diversity and environmental sustainability. **Our Vision is to empower the sector to be vital hubs at the centre of their communities.** **Our Purpose is to support the capacity building of small to medium museums, galleries and Aboriginal cultural centres so they can realise and maximise their impact on their communities.** The museums, galleries and Aboriginal cultural centres of NSW provide historical, contemporary and future context. They tell stories about their communities and reflect on what they might become. Their programs record history and grow ideas; they generate and support creative processes that contribute to economic, social and health related wellbeing. They help build resilient and sustainable communities. M&G NSW respects and encourages this contribution. In support of it, we acknowledge that cultural impact is also achieved by placing an emphasis on excellence, access and strength. Lively and relevant engagement ensures program activity is best understood through meanings created, community involvements generated and connections achieved by galleries and museums themselves, and by our work serving and supporting what they do.