A networking seminar for curators from smaller museums was held at Akaroa last October. This seminar was specifically designed to operate mid-way between the initial training that delegates already have and the larger professional national events, which do not necessarily fit usefully with their size or circumstances. The outcome was a modest gathering of like-minded professionals who were able to converse and exchange ideas openly in a supportive environment (figure 1). Well-organised thanks to the efforts of Linda Wallace, Director, Akaroa Museum and Philip Howe, Director, South Canterbury Museum and supported by National Services Te Paerangi, it was an enjoyable two days enhanced by some astonishingly warm weather and delicious food.

Common dilemma

Working in small museums is both a burden and a joy. Curators have to ‘do everything’ yet this hands-on approach can be very rewarding. The focus on developing new facilities, particularly storage, was a thread that ran through the seminar. The concentration of finances on public facilities to the detriment of collection care, exhibition preparation and storage was described by Director Linda Wallace as the ‘classic imbalance’ of small to medium-sized museums. Planning for a new building for storage at the Akaroa Museum is well underway, while recent extensions to the Lakes District Museum in Arrowtown included a new archive facility.

Little but local

This focus also highlighted the importance of the negotiating process between local museums and their funding bodies. The Akaroa Museum has recently become part of the Christchurch City Council which presents both the difficulties of consultation (or lack thereof) and the advantages of being part of a team, sharing expertise and advice. A similar tension between control and support was noted by archivist Chris Adams as existing in Archives New Zealand in Christchurch. Being part of the larger organisation in Wellington means that there is often little time between having an idea and putting it into practice.

The South Canterbury Museum is well integrated into the systems of the Timaru District Council but Director Philip Howe is continually required to ‘build its case’ for finances. The forming of a Charitable Trust has been significant in terms of attracting funds from those who do not want to be involved with council, and local opportunities for sponsorship are underway. There are times when compromise is necessary and a change of title for the new museum in Alexandra was illustrative of this. Now called Central Stories Museum and Art Gallery, the museum is also the Information Centre which, while presenting some logistical and ideological problems, does bring people in.

Only connect…

Curator Jamie Bell is particularly concerned with community understanding and experience of the Central Otago area and described a ‘communicative circle’ highlighting the visitors’ role in the museum process. For instance, a diorama on ‘rabbiting’ is highly interactive and there is also a ‘hole-in-the-wall’ window allowing a view of the staff area. A live skink display from the region is very popular and the museum has regular feeding times for visitors. Director David Clarke of the Lakes District Museum also places a strong emphasis on engaging with communities. New initiatives such as the ‘Family Treasures’ exhibition and the ongoing commitment to collecting oral histories are an important part of this approach.

Multi-tasking, multi-talented

The job description for curators in small museums is far-reaching and Curator of Documentary History, Tony Rippon of the South Canterbury Museum gave us a lively account of his ‘add-on’ roles as publisher, ichthyologist (there are four native fish tanks) and provider of cemetery tours. Davina Davis, the South Canterbury Museum’s Curator of Collections, found all her resources were stretched to complete the new Takata Whenua Gallery. Sharing the process of development with local iwi was the most rewarding aspect of this project, although also the most demanding.

Balancing a need for change with local resistance to it, is a well-worn path for many working in smaller museums. Rowan Carroll, Director of North Otago Museum, is persevering with new collections management practices and staff restructuring while redevelopment of the Museum building is planned for completion in 2011. Julia Bradshaw, Researcher/ Curator at Shantytown, also faces an uphill task, in this instance to re-activate a ‘colonial village,’ an idea that many believe has had its day. A virtual sawmill is a successful beginning, while Sherri Murphy, Collections Manager, tackles conservation and cataloguing issues.

Working real and virtual miracles

If creating websites in a day seems unimaginable, talk to Steve Austin, Director of the Marlborough Museum, who not only managed this feat, but also produced a website that received the big tick from Dr Mike Dickison of Adzebill Information Design, one of two guest speakers lined up for the seminar with a technology and new media focus. Although described as a work in progress, Steve’s site (www.marlboroughmuseum.org.nz) has an excellent home page which is difficult to do well under any circumstances.

Thanks to Dr Joanna Cobley, alias ‘The Museum Detective,’ delegates are now much more enlightened about entertaining ways through which podcasts can reach out to a wider museum audience, extend the visitor experience, disseminate information and enhance exhibition programmes.

Websites, far from being a peripheral activity, are the key to finding a new and much larger audience and were also the topic of Bridget Wellwood’s presentation. National Services Te Paerangi is currently redeveloping the on-line museums directory for New Zealand Museums. The redesigned website will allow museums to place collection objects, images, exhibitions and events information on-line, as well as including end-user functionality provided through Web 2.0 at little cost. Bridget Wellwood’s role as Museum Development Officer in fostering communication between museums was gratefully acknowledged.

Many paths, one passion

The professional histories of delegates were as interesting and entertaining as their current occupations. Peripatetic careers were not uncommon, while others have stayed with their job for a number of years. For some, employment as curator was regarded as the result of a happy accident (being in the right place at the right time) although this somewhat belied the breadth and depth of their talents. Maree Saunders, Education and Programme Coordinator of E-North Gallery, part of Whangarei Art Museum, commented on the continued significance of the role of the curator while Christine Potter, Exhibition Officer from Taupo Museum, spoke with enthusiasm about their community project with Tokelau Islanders who have lived in Taupo since the storm of the 1960s.

Last but not least, small talk over a cup of tea was invaluable. A committed team including Patsy Turner and Catrina McLeod ensures that the Akaroa Museum manages to stay open seven days a week, no mean feat in a small community. Graeme Richardson, tram restorer from Ferrymead, recognises the need for museum training and supports projects that bring people in, such as Mike Tamaki’s latest venture regarding the history of the Musket Wars. Curator Michael Hanrahan of the Ashburton Museum, described the difficulties of finding that their building had been sold without consultation. Not to be undone, however, a new building will go ahead. To quote Bridget Wellwood, there are “amazing things going on in the smallest of places”

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Te Ara - Journal of Museums Aotearoa; Volume 32; Issue 1 & 2; December 2007

Figure 1: Lynda Wallace (left), Director of Akaroa Museum, and Maree Saunders (right), Education and Programme Co-Ordinator, based E North Gallery, Whangarei Art Museum’s Outreach Gallery enjoy the networking opportunity. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: MICHELLE OSBOURNE