Collecting organisations of all kinds are invited to use the National Standards framework as a resource.
The National Standards for Australian Museums and Galleries is focused on key areas of activity common to organisations that care for collections and provide collection, exhibition and program-based services to the community. The National Standards aim to support Australian museums, galleries and collecting organisations to achieve their objectives, from high-level policy, planning and stakeholder liaison, to practical everyday activities.
The National Standards are managed and developed by the National Standards Taskforce, a voluntary committee comprised of representatives from state-based peak professional bodies for the sector, which represent multiple Standards and Accreditation programs.
The Taskforce was led by Museums & Galleries Queensland, with members Arts Tasmania; Australian Museums and Galleries Association Victoria; History Trust of South Australia; Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory (MAGNT) and Museums & Galleries NSW.
In 2021, the Taskforce received funding from The Ian Potter Foundation to undertake a significant update of the National Standards for Australian Museums and Galleries. This project recognises that while there are key aspects of caring for collections and providing collection, exhibition and program-based services to the community that remain unchanged, much about the way in which museum and gallery work is done has evolved in the seven years since the National Standards were last updated.
The new edition also includes updated content in areas such as copyright, digitisation, environmental sustainability, inclusive practice and online engagement, and a refreshed glossary and resources. Download available below.
