11 August 2004
The National Museum of Australia in Canberra wants to hear over the next fortnight from community groups in Darwin who would like their suburb to feature in a photographic exhibit which depicts 'life in the burbs'.
Groups selected for the exhibition will be provided with cameras and film to capture what they think is important about their suburb - from community characters and natural features to gardens or landmarks. The final collection will be displayed in the National Museum.
National Museum curator Guy Hansen is visiting Darwin early next month to meet with community groups, outline the project and set them up to document their surrounds.
"We want to show that suburbs are not just a collection of houses and streets, but an interrelated network of people. Looking Around is a chance for community groups to present a photographic essay describing what they think is special about their suburban area," Mr Hansen said.
"The Museum is very much a 'people's museum', and this exhibit is yet another opportunity for the people of Australia to contribute directly to the Museum's content and stories."
The photos go on display in Looking Around - part of the gallery, Nation: Symbols of Australia - exploring the diversity of people, modes of life and meanings that exist in our suburbs.
A display from the Alice Springs Royal Flying Doctor Service is currently on show. Other groups already featured include Perth's Friends of the Attadale Foreshore, Tasmania's Penguin Primary School and Adelaide's West Torrens Historical Society.
More than 2.75 million people have visited the National Museum since it opened in March 2001, so if selected, your group will receive wide exposure!
Groups interested in contributing to the Looking Around exhibit are asked to submit an expression of interest, including details of their community group, when they are able to participate and a short statement on what is special about their suburb to: Guy Hansen, National Museum of Australia, GPO Box 1901, Canberra, ACT, 2601. Guy can also be reached on 02 6208 5135 or g.hansen@nma.gov.au
Expressions of interest should be submitted by 27 August, with Mr Hansen visiting Darwin from 6-10 September. Mr Hansen will also open the National Museum's political cartooning exhibition, Behind the Lines, at the Great Hall of NT Parliament House on 9 September.
For interviews or more information please contact Martin Portus on 02 6208 5351, 0409 916 481 or m.portus@nma.gov.au