20 September 2018
Museums sign new Memorandum of Understanding
More exhibitions from the British Museum’s world-renowned collection of art and objects will come to the National Museum of Australia in Canberra over the next five years under a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) announced by the two institutions.
The new MoU builds on the existing collaboration which has resulted in three major exhibitions in London and Canberra over the past four years.
Under the MoU, the two museums will develop another major exhibition to be hosted at the National Museum and look for opportunities to work together on other special exhibitions and research projects, including those relating to the British Museum’s holdings of Australian Indigenous cultural materials.
Such projects will include engagement with relevant Aboriginal communities and researchers, and provide opportunities for an exchange of knowledge and staff between the two institutions.
National Museum Director Dr Mathew Trinca said the joint collaboration which resulted in the 2015 exhibition Encounters: Revealing Stories of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Objects from the British Museum, demonstrated that together the two institutions can tackle important issues which resonate in Australia and abroad.
'The British Museum holds one of the world’s most important collections of art and antiquities from ancient and living cultures and we are delighted to work with them over the next five years to bring more extraordinary objects to Canberra for Australians to enjoy,' said Dr Trinca.
'We look forward to exploring opportunities to work together on projects relating to the common interests of both countries and their shared histories,' said Dr Trinca.
British Museum Director Dr Hartwig Fischer said, 'I am delighted to continue our partnership with the National Museum of Australia by signing this new Memorandum of Understanding. It has been a pleasure to work with the National Museum of Australia and I look forward to cementing our friendship further and collaborating again in the future.'
The announcement of the new MoU coincides with the National Museum's launch of Rome: City and Empire, which draws on the British Museum’s extensive collection to feature stories of Ancient Rome.
Rome: City and Empire is the National Museum’s third show in its current collaboration with the British Museum, following Encounters: Revealing Stories of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Objects from the British Museum (November 2015 to March 2016); and A History of the World in 100 Objects (September 2016 to January 2017).
Rome: City and Empire is on show in Canberra from 21 September 2018 to 3 February 2019.
Media contact: Tracy Sutherland, 02 6208 5338 | 0438 620 710 or tracy.sutherland@nma.gov.au
