Performance summary

The Museum’s financial statements disclose an operating deficit of $0.514 million (budgeted deficit $1.235 million). The budgeted deficit relates to the unfunded depreciation of heritage and cultural assets. Total income for 2018–19 was $54.374 million (budgeted $51.149 million) while total expenses were $54.888 million (budgeted $52.384 million).

Revenue from government was $43.564 million and revenue from other sources amounted to $10.810 million (budgeted $7.585 million). This includes gains from donated assets valued at $0.211 million. Revenue from non-government sources increased by $0.697 million compared with 2017–18. This is due to higher visitation and revenue generated from the temporary exhibition Rome: City and Empire and the popularity of the virtual reality program The Antarctica Experience.

Total expenses were $3.859 million more than the previous year. This was due to increased expenses caused by the higher-than-estimated visitation for the Rome exhibition and costs associated with programs being developed for the commemoration of the 250th anniversary of HMB Endeavour’s voyage along the east coast of Australia.

The Museum received an equity injection of $1.912 million to fund collection development and acquisitions.

Cash as at 30 June 2019 totalled $5.001 million (30 June 2018: $2.416 million), and investments in term deposits totalled $27.000 million (30 June 2018: $34.000 million).

Financial summary 2018–19

Program summary

The National Museum of Australia’s annual report is prepared in accordance with the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Rule 2014 and the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013.

To demonstrate compliance with the requirements of the Commonwealth performance framework, this year’s annual report focuses on reporting results against the performance criteria described in both:

• the annual Portfolio Budget Statements (PBS) for 2018–19
• the Museum’s Corporate Plan 2018–19.

The report also complies with requirements specified in the Museum’s establishing legislation and key policy documents.

The Museum’s PBS outcome is to ensure: Increased awareness and understanding of Australia’s history and culture by managing the National Museum’s collections and providing access through public programs and exhibitions. (National Museum of Australia, Portfolio Budget Statements, 2018–19)

This outcome is achieved through the delivery of the program that supports the Museum’s PBS outcome:

Program 1.1: Collection management, research, exhibitions and programs

Program highlights

During 2018–19 the Museum:

• displayed the blockbuster Rome: City and Empire exhibition from the British Museum, attracting over 150,000 total visits during its display from September 2018 to February 2019
• delivered an innovative program of temporary and travelling exhibitions includingWarakurna: All the Stories Got into Our Minds and Eyes, Happy Birthday Play School, Evolution: Torres Strait Masks and Midawarr/Harvest: The Art of Mulkun Wirrpanda and John Wolseley
• toured two exhibitions internationally: Yidaki: Didjeridu and the Sound of Australia in Japan in partnership with the South Australian Museum, and Old Masters: Australia’s Great Bark Artists at four venues across China, with more to come in 2019–20
• in an exchange with the National Museum of China, opened The Historical Expression of Chinese Art: Calligraphy and Painting from the National Museum of China at its Acton site in April 2019
• continued to tour three highly successful graphic-panel displays to diplomatic posts around the world: Yiwarra Kuju: The Canning Stock Route, Old Masters: Australia’s Great Bark Artists and Evolution: Torres Strait Masks
• acquired fascinating objects for the National Historical Collection, including a rare thylacine pelt with support from the National Cultural Heritage Account, which enables cultural institutions to purchase nationally significant objects; a collection of necklaces, neckpieces and armlets by renowned Tasmanian Aboriginal artist, Lola Greeno; a 3.4-billion-year-old fossilised stromatolite taken into space by astronaut Andy Thomas aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery in 2005; a gold-rush-era Gold Commissioner’s uniform; and a suitcase used during hearings of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse
• announced the recipients of six fellowships for the next phase of the Encounters Fellowships program
• progressed its ambitious gallery development program, with major works undertaken on the Forecourt, Life in Australia gallery and Discovery Centre
• developed significant philanthropic and corporate relationships, and launched a bequest program on its website
• won a Retail Recognition Award at the Museum Shops’ Association of Australia and New Zealand 2018 conference. Merchandise produced by the Museum for the Songlines: Tracking the Seven Sisters exhibition was acknowledged as the best product or range with turnover of over $1 million
• launched a new website for the Museum and new and upgraded interactive and multimedia experiences for visitors, including a Defining Moments of Australian History audio tour
• exceeded its target for engaging with online audiences via the website and social media channels
• screened The Antarctica Experience, a virtual reality adventure that allowed Museum visitors to follow in the footsteps of the scientists based at Davis Station
• hosted three panel discussions associated with the Defining Moments in Australian History program on the topics of fire, innovation in Australia and the history of the LGBTQIA+ community in Australia
• conducted face-to-face and digital education programs linked to the Australian Curriculum and continued to deliver professional development sessions for teachers
• welcomed visitors to a diverse range of public programs that cater for families, children and people with different levels of ability
• strengthened its Cultural and Corporate Shared Services Centre (CCSSC), which provides corporate support to partner agencies, by bringing on board the Museum of Australian Democracy (MoAD)
• continued to participate in eight Australian Research Council (ARC) projects, and initiated new research projects in partnership with other cultural and educational institutions.

The Museum’s performance statements for 2018–19 are set out in full in Part two of this annual report.