Museum Collection Management, Acquisitions
and Exhibitions – Guidelines
Version 1, 4 March 2013
Page 1
Museum Collection Management, Acquisitions
and Exhibitions
Guidelines
Collection management guidelines ....................................................................................................................... 3 Collection background ......................................................................................................................................... 3 Collection management guidelines ................................................................................................................... 4 Conservation guidelines ...................................................................................................................................... 4 Loans......................................................................................................................................................................... 5 Acquisition and deaccession guidelines ............................................................................................................. 7 Acquisitions ............................................................................................................................................................ 7 Deaccessions .......................................................................................................................................................... 8 Exhibiting guidelines ................................................................................................................................................ 9 Exhibition spaces................................................................................................................................................... 9 Exhibitions criteria............................................................................................................................................... 10 Exhibition proposals ........................................................................................................................................... 10 Exhibition promotion and public relations .................................................................................................... 10 Openings ................................................................................................................................................................ 11 Insurance of heritage objects on exhibition ................................................................................................. 12 Public programs ................................................................................................................................................... 12 Retail ....................................................................................................................................................................... 12 Display of promotional material in Museums ............................................................................................... 12 Definitions .................................................................................................................................................................. 13 Associated forms ..................................................................................................................................................... 13 Version 1, 4 March 2013
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Collection management guidelines
Bribie Island Seaside Museum
Pine Rivers Heritage
Redcliffe Museum
Collection background
The Moreton Bay Regional Council Museum Collection is a significant collection of heritage objects held by
Council’s Museums: the Bribie Island Seaside Museum, Pine Rivers Heritage Museum, and Redcliffe
Museum. The heritage objects that make up the Museum Collection is material evidence of the natural and
cultural environments that have existed within the region and as such are crucial to our region’s spirit and
identity. A description of Council Museums and their collecting themes:
Description
Collection description and highlights
The Redcliffe Museum celebrates, documents
and interprets Redcliffe’s historic peninsula and
community. The museum offers an intriguing
insight into the unique region, its European
history since 1799, its heritage as Queensland’s
first European settlement in 1824-25, its much
older Indigenous culture, its rich maritime history
and the pleasures and surprises of bayside life .
The collection housed by the Redcliffe Museum
came into being with the formation of the
Redcliffe Historical Society in 1967.
The Redcliffe Museum houses a wide and varied collection
representing the post-European contact history and heritage of the
peninsula. There is a small collection of Indigenous artefacts
though most have an uncertain provenance.
The first museum was housed in Suttons Beach
bathing pavilion, however the salty environment
led to deterioration of both the building and the
collection. In 2000 it was agreed that the
Redcliffe Historical Society would transfer its
collection to the City of Redcliffe as part of the
construction phase of the new museum on the
banks of Humpybong Creek on Anzac Avenue.
Set amongst the graceful landscape of Old Petrie
Town, the Pine Rivers Heritage
Museum encourages visitors to explore the
district’s historic character through the semipermanent and ever changing temporary
displays.
Bribie Island Seaside Museum, on the shores of
the beautiful Pumice Stone Passage, opened its
doors to the public on 15 May 2010, making it
one of Queensland’s most contemporary
museums.
The museum brings to life aspects of local history
pertinent to the settlement of Bribie Island and
the important role it played in Australia’s defence
during WW2. The museum also offers a continual
feast of temporary exhibitions with associated
seminars, workshops and public programmes for
both adults and children and enjoys excellent
visitation numbers.
Nestled in parkland at Bongaree, visitors can
walk from the beach into the museum or enjoy
scenic views over the glimmering water of the
Pumice Stone Passage from the Museum deck.
An ideal, tranquil spot for relaxing and reflecting
on the amazing stories of Bribie’s past.
Objects representing aspects of military service, local government,
occupations and trades, education, religion, childhood,
entertainment, sport, maritime technology, the medical
professions, domestic technology and home life are included in
the collection. The museum has a large collection of textiles,
including male and female clothing, uniforms, underwear and
accessories; tableware items such as tablecloths, doilies, napkins
and covers, bed linen, and decorative pieces of hand embroidery,
cross stitch, crochet and knitting.
The museum is a repository for material offered to the Council as
gifts through the sister city relationships. As such, the museum
holds a significant collection of Japanese artefacts relating to
Sanyo Onoda, Redcliffe’s Japanese sister city. A small collection
of material relating to Winton, Redcliffe’s outback Queensland
sister city has also been acquired.
The Pine Rivers Heritage Museum houses a collection of objects
which spans from those owned by the early pioneers of the area
to those relating to the more recent history.
Varied objects have been acquired representing aspects of home
life, early businesses and services, timbergetting, transport,
farming, education, entertainment and recreational activities.
The museum also has a collection of artefacts that relate to Camp
Strathpine, a World War II American, British and Australian
military training and recreation camp.
Bribie Island Seaside Museum is currently a non-collecting
museum, however, it does have a small number of historical
objects directly related to major themes which are reflected in the
Museum’s current exhibitions:
1. More than a Skirmish – The Matthey Flinders 1799 Norfolk
expedition and the contact with local Indigenous people on
Bribie
2. Fish Tales – a natural history collection of fish from the
Amateur Fishing Association of Australia’s specimen
collection, now over 100 years old, and amusing stories
related to the collection.
3. Island Abundance – a range of stories about Bribie Island’s
inhabitants
4. Koopa Days – a story of modern tourism and the rise of
holidaying by the sea
5. Fortress Bribie – Defence fortifications on Bribie during WW2
and the social impact of WW2 Australian and American
occupation of Bribie Island
6. Ian Fairweather, Mark of the Artist – the life, philosophy and
art of internationally acclaimed Australian artist, Ian
Fairweather, who spent the last 20 years of his life living in a
bark hut on Bribie Island.
Table 1
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Collection management guidelines
The overall Moreton Bay Regional Council Museum Collection (housed across Council’s three Museums)
is comprised of two sub-collections: the Core collection and the Secondary Collection. The collections are
managed according to the following guidelines:
Purpose
Electronic
record
management
Storage
Core collection
The core collection is primarily used for
preservation, display and research. Uses
include:

Interpretative display

Education

Loans to other like-minded
institutions

Research
Object details maintained in collection
management database, KE Emu
Research
Secure in a climate controlled Council owned
and managed heritage facility
Ongoing active research
Insurance
Conservation
Appropriate insurance maintained
Active conservation undertaken
Secondary Collection
The purpose of this category of collection allows
for objects (be they duplicates, replicas, or
restored for the purpose) to be used for the
following purposes:

Hands-on use as working models

Education and interpretation

Loans to educational organisations

Promotional display

Research

For the preservation of items in the
Core collection.
Object details maintained in collection
management database, KE Emu
Secure in a Council owned and managed facility
As determined by Network Coordinator –
Museums
Appropriate insurance maintained
As determined by Network Coordinator –
Museums
Table 2
Periodic review of the collection to assess the integrity of individual heritage objects may necessitate
transfer between sub-collections ie from the core to the secondary collection. Transfer of objects between
sub-collections will occur with the approval of the Manager – Community Services, Arts and Heritage.
Conservation guidelines
The Collection is managed in-line with current best-practice industry standards. This section will outline
'good housekeeping' principles and give minimum handling, cleaning and display instructions which may
be of benefit to community members or historical organisations.
"Good Housekeeping" in museum terms is a matter of common sense and watchfulness. As carers of the
collection, it is council’s responsibility at all times to preserve and protect collection items. It is therefore
council’s duty to identify and manage potential hazards associated with objects.
Hazards can be broken into two separate categories.
1. Hazards introduced by the carers of the collections. This includes eating and drinking around
collection items, dust, moisture, insects, fungi, insect sprays and cleaning agents etc. Procedures
to reduce these hazards:
 Ensure food and drink is not consumed in the presence of collection items (also not around
exhibition, storage and workshop spaces) - not only will spills damage objects and introduce
unnecessary moisture, but will attract insects and rodents;
 Keep a clean and tidy environment at all times;
 Dust is hygroscopic, and creates an attractive environment for fungi, mites and insects;
 Packing material lying about attracts rodents and are a fire hazard;
 Keep objects off the floor wherever possible;
 Ensure objects are kept away from moist environments, open windows and fluctuations in
temperature and humidity as far as possible;
 Avoid the use of cleaning agents; and
 Keep a general eye out for insects, rodents, fungi and moulds. In cases of such hazards,
remove or isolate the object in question, until professional advice can be sought. Seek advice
before using insect sprays.
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2. Hazards inherent to the object. This can include sharp edges, leaking battery acids, oil, lead,
asbestos, rust etc. Procedures for handling these hazards to the collection and/or to museum
workers may include:
 Remove or isolate the object in question by encapsulating in plastic or appropriate material
until professional advice can be sought;
 Ensure objects are placed to avoid damage from sharp edges, and/or so that sharp edges
cannot cause human injury; and
 Wear protective clothing or work in a well-ventilated area when handling hazardous
substances.
Loans
Outgoing Loans
The lending of Collection objects is encouraged as it promotes the Museum Collections, the Museums and
the Moreton Bay region. Therefore, unless the heritage object is otherwise committed, loans will generally
be approved unless the object is to be subject to unacceptable risk and/or likely to be damaged. The
Manager – Community Services, Arts and Heritage approves outward loans from the Collections.
The following principles apply to outgoing loans:
 Borrower must write a formal request detailing the intended use of the heritage objects and the
conditions under which it is to be displayed. Borrowers should allow up to one month for a
response;
 Borrower must meet all costs of insurance, packing and transport. In addition, there may be a
charge for the deposit and duration of the loan. This will be the case for all travelling exhibitions;
 The collection and return of loaned objects is to be by the Borrower, a nominated representative of
the borrower or a specialist carrier mutually agreed to by the borrower and the Curator –
Museums;
 As a general rule, heritage objects are not lent to individuals for private purposes, pubs, theatre
groups, film companies, retail outlets or any group that does not meet the specific standards
required by the museum and that could endanger the object through mishandling, incorrect
environments and possible misplacement;
 Outward loans for a duration of three months and over are only to be granted to organisations
such as State Institutions, Local Governments, other museums, or other reputable organisations
that have the facilities to house and care for the heritage object appropriately over a long period of
time under appropriate security and climate control;
 Extensions may be applied for, but must be requested in writing and must be received at least one
month prior to the expiry date;
 The duration of any outward loan is generally not to exceed twenty-four months and is to under no
circumstances exceed three years;
 If a heritage object is damaged during transport or exhibition the borrower must notify the Curator Museums immediately and must not undertake any repairs without the written formal approval of
Moreton Bay Regional Council;
 If a heritage object on loan is damaged and requires professional conservation the borrower will
incur all costs;
 All objects will be subject to a condition report before and after the loan; and
 The Borrower must display full attribution details for the object and include Moreton Bay Regional
Council in the credit line.
For full terms and conditions refer to Outgoing Loan Agreement - Museums
Incoming Loans
The request for loans of material from other institutions, corporations and private collectors is to be
approved by the Manager – Community Services, Arts and Heritage. The exception to this is that if the
heritage object is estimated to be within the value of the Network Coordinator – Museums’ financial
delegation in which case the Network Coordinator – Museums will approve the loan.
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The following principles apply to incoming loans:
 Loans are to be sought with due consideration to potential risks and any envisioned restrictions,
transport issues, or special conditions and must meet all requirements to protect Council’s
interests in accordance with budgetary requirements;
 An object is accepted on loan only for assessment for permanent acquisition or for a specific
exhibition or programme;



Council is not to accept any heritage object on permanent loan and is to endeavour to return objects on
loan to the owner as soon as the object is no longer required for exhibition or assessment purposes;
Ownership and title must always remain clear, as well as the period of the temporary loan; and
Loans for assessment should be for a period no longer than twelve weeks. Long term loans may
be negotiated for exhibitions.
For full terms and conditions refer to Incoming Loan Agreement - Museums
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Acquisition and deaccession guidelines
Acquisitions
Items for Council’s collection are consciously selected for their capacity to build up a composite picture of
essential themes in the history of the Region. Therefore, all heritage objects will be assessed against the
following acquisition criteria before acceptance into Museum Collections:
1. Regional relevance: the heritage object should:
1.1. have been made or used in the region or be comparable to a heritage object used in the region; or
1.2. have a proven association with a known individual, some event or a period in the history of, or
technology developed or employed in the region;
2. Essential themes: the heritage object should meet one of the following essential themes in the history
of the region:
 Indigenous history. Indigenous heritage objects must only be collected with full consent of
relevant stakeholders;
 European exploration and settlement in the region and significant families and individuals;
 Timbergetting and landclearing;
 Farming e.g. agriculture and livestock;
 Local industry e.g. dairying, saw mills, sugar mills, fishing;
 Commerce and trading e.g. early shops, factories;
 Transport;
 Domestic life;
 Education and religion;
 Local government;
 Military service;
 Services such as postal, electricity, water, health;
 Entertainment and recreational activities; and
 Natural environment.
3. Establishment of Provenance: the heritage object should have established Provenance;
4. Maintenance and conservation: the heritage object should have manageable maintenance and
conservation requirements;
5. Storage: there should be availability of appropriate storage for the object. Large items may not be
collected if space is not available to accommodate them in perpetuity. In such instances, where the
items are of historical or technological significance, photographic records may be taken for archival
purposes;
6. Constraints: wherever possible the Museums should obtain the necessary copyright clearance
associated with the object. The heritage object should also be taken into the collection unencumbered
by restraints or conditions by donors; and
7. Consideration of other institutions: acquisition of the object should take into consideration the
acquisition priorities of other institutions and keeping places.
Acquisition Processes
Council acquires heritage objects through the following mechanisms:
1. Council purchases. Purchases are based on the Acquisition Criteria, are managed by the
Network Coordinator – Museums and approved by the CEO or delegate.
2. Donations and Bequests.
a. Donations through the Cultural Gifts Program: The Cultural Gifts Program encourages
Australians to donate items of cultural significance from private collections to public art
galleries, museums, libraries and archives. This program is administered in accordance
with the gift provisions of the income tax law. The Federal Government Department of the
Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts administers the program. Any donations
through this program to the Museum Collection must conform to the requirements of the
Cultural Gifts Program;
b. Solicited donations and bequests: The Network Coordinator – Museums and Curator –
Museums are to encourage active support for and significant donations to the museum
collection, its activities and programs. To this end, these council staff are tasked with
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c.
identifying and encouraging donations to the collection that are in line with the Museum
Collection’s Acquisition Criteria; and
Unsolicited donations and bequests: Due to the considerable costs involved with
maintaining heritage objects (storing, conserving, annual valuations etc), objects proposed
for donation or bequest must first be assessed. Objects should not be accepted simply
because they are gifts – they must be assessed against the Acquisition Criteria and
approved by the Manager – Community Services, Arts and Heritage before acceptance
into the collection.
Deaccessions
From time to time, Council may be required to deaccession works from the Museum collection (from either
the core or secondary collections). Deaccessioning of heritage objects is not lightly undertaken and is
carefully considered before actioning. Possible reasons for deaccessioning objects include:
 the heritage object being damaged beyond repair or conservation or requiring conservation
disproportionate to its significance;
 repatriation of cultural material to an Indigenous community with proof of a valid claim;
 the object no longer relating to the acquisition criteria;
 appropriate storage space no longer being available; and
 theft or loss.
Deaccession principles
Should objects require deaccessioning, the following principles will be followed:
1. Proposals for deaccessioning must be fully documented including an individual object assessment;
2. Verification of legal title must be made. The records are to be checked to ascertain if any
restrictions exist from the original gift/bequest or purchase;
3. Heritage objects identified for deaccessioning must be approved by council via a report to council;
4. Deaccessioning of gifts or bequests should be discussed with the original donor or the donor’s
descendants with a view to returning the object or negotiating a mutually agreeable alternative.
The exception to this rule is when the object was originally donated via the Cultural Gifts Program
in which case the object cannot be returned to the original donor. However, as a matter or
courtesy, original donors should always be notified that their object has been identified for
deaccessioning;
5. In the case of the donor or descendants being unable to be contacted despite best efforts, a period
of six months must elapse before the heritage object is deaccessioned;
6. Disposal must be executed through one of the following mechanisms:
 a reputable dealer or public auction;
 donation to, or exchange with another public collection or organisation;
 repatriation to an Indigenous community; or
 in accordance with council’s procedures for asset disposal.
7. Council staff may not purchase, or otherwise obtain, deaccessioned heritage objects. An exception
would be if the Council staff member originally donated the object; and
8. Full records of the heritage object and disposal must be retained in KE Emu.
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Exhibiting guidelines
Bribie Island Seaside
Museum
Exhibition spaces
Semipermanent
Exhibition
Space
Temporary
/travelling
space
Pine Rivers Heritage Museum
Semipermanent
Exhibition
Space
Temporary
display
gallery
Meeting
room
Foyer area
Redcliffe Museum
Semipermanent
Exhibition
Space
Temporary
/travelling
space
Community
Display
cases
Five semi-permanent exhibitions have currently been installed with the following themes:
1. More Than a Skirmish: Mathew Flinders 1794 contact with local Indigenous people
2. Koopa Days: the birth of modern tourism and the rise of holidaying by the sea
3. Bribie Island Fishing: fish and fishing on Bribie (showcasing the AFAQ fish collection)
4. Away from it all – The Castaways: the story of the well recognised Australian artist and
reclusive, Ian Fairweather
5. Fortress Bribie: WWII defence fortifications and stories of occupation
A 27 square meter, 29 linear metre space.
A hanging system is installed and Museum stock frames are available to facilitate hanging
exhibitions. This space showcases a mixture of curated exhibitions including in-house curated
exhibitions and travelling exhibitions from other museums, libraries, galleries or similar bodies.
Community groups and individuals are able to apply to utilise this exhibition space.
Six semi-permanent exhibitions have been installed with the following themes:
1. Object Theatre: the Pine Rivers story through the eyes of the young Edgar Foreman and
his great-great-great granddaughter, Ellie.
2. Mountains to Mangroves: this display features some of the habitats found in our
geographical area.
3. Explorers: follows the adventurous trio of Parsons, Finnegan and Pamplett and their role
in helping John Oxley to finally discover the Pine and Brisbane Rivers
4. The Migrant Experience: where the pioneer ancestors came from, and what they brought
with them as they attempted to start new lives in an unknown land.
5. Supplying the Building Trade: explores the harvesting of timber, clay and stone - the
founding industries that drove exploration and settlement throughout the district.
6. Yebri House: Historic Yebri House was the original farm workers cottage on the Petrie
Homestead.
An 8 x 12 metre space. 3 movable walls area available - each 2.7 metres long, 1 metre wide
and can be moved in any configuration.
This space showcases a mixture of curated exhibitions including in-house curated exhibitions
and travelling exhibitions from other museums, libraries, galleries or similar bodies.
The Pine Rivers Heritage Museum meeting room is 5 x 6 metres and has track lighting and
hanging track. There are also a number of cabinets available for display of objects.
Community groups and individuals are encouraged to utilise this exhibition space.
The foyer area is usually used as a children’s space however can accommodate small
exhibitions. There are a number of cabinets available for display of objects.
Community groups and individuals are encouraged to utilise this exhibition space.
Nine semi-permanent exhibitions have been installed with the following themes:
1. The Redcliffe Timeline
2. Mullet Fishing
3. Early Redcliffe
4. Fun in the Sun Theatre
5. Lucinda table
6. War
7. Sanyo Onoda & Winton sister city displays
8. The shed
9. Children’s area
A 75 square metre, 50 linear metre space that includes the walls of the theatre, both sides of
the jetty wall and space between these structures.
This space showcases a mixture of curated exhibitions including in-house curated exhibitions
and travelling exhibitions from other museums, libraries, galleries or similar bodies.
These cabinets are 1 metre high x 70cm wide x 70cm deep and some are available to
community groups or individuals that have displays relating to the following themes:
1. “Share Your Story”: Community stories
2. Education
3. Sporting Greats
4. Made in Redcliffe
5. Nature Unwrapped
6. Ningy Ningy Dhagun
7. Queensland’s first European Settlement
The displays must have relevance to historical and contemporary stories Redcliffe. These
spaces may also be utilised by the museum if material is available within the collection to tell a
story that meets the above criteria.
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Exhibition development and management
Exhibitions criteria
Council is committed to developing, implementing and promoting Exhibition Programs in accordance with
the following criteria:
 Historical significance: Exhibition Programs should be of strong historical significance and
integrity;
 Relevance: Exhibition Programs should contribute to the exploration of local, regional and national
heritage issues and/or relevance to the Museum Collection;
 Coherence: Exhibitions should contribute to strategic programming across council’s network of
Museums;
 Audience development: Exhibition Programs should meet audience targets by meaningfully
engaging with established audiences of the region and/or creatively attracting new audiences; and
 Best-practice: Exhibition Programs should be in-line with industry standards such as exhibition
development timelines and standards of display in the presentation and interpretation of
exhibitions.
Exhibitions presented in council museums will include a mixture of semi-permanent exhibitions, touring
exhibitions, locally-developed curated exhibitions and community-initiated exhibitions. All exhibitions are
assessed against the Exhibitions Criteria before acceptance and are managed as follows:
 Semi-permanent exhibition spaces are changed with the approval of the Network Coordinator –
Museums;
 Travelling exhibitions from other museums, libraries, galleries or similar bodies are approved by
the Manager – Community Services, Arts and Heritage;
 Locally-developed curated exhibitions are developed by the Curator – Museums. From time to time
individuals or organisations with specialist skills or knowledge will be invited to assist with the
creation of in-house exhibitions; and
 Community-initiated exhibitions are exhibitions arising from exhibition proposals from local groups
or individuals. The process for proposing an exhibition is detailed in the following Exhibition
proposals section.
Exhibition proposals
Council welcomes approaches from community groups or individuals with proposals for exhibitions.
Prospective exhibitors should note that many exhibiting spaces are booked well in advance with
temporary/travelling exhibition spaces programmed at least twelve months in advance. However, there are
a number of smaller exhibition areas or display cabinets available that may have shorter lead times. See
Table 3 for full details of exhibition spaces.
All proposals should be submitted in writing using the Museum Exhibition form and are assessed by the
Network Coordinator – Museums, Curator – Museums and the relevant Venue Supervisor against the
Exhibitions Criteria. The installation of the exhibition will be carried out by members of the Museum
exhibitions team. Under the direction of the Curator – Museums, exhibitors can assist with installation, but
the final approval for the exhibition installation lies with the Curator under the direction of the Network
Coordinator - Museums.
The Network Coordinator - Museums or their nominated representative retains the indisputable right and
curatorial discretion to change, deny or remove any display, signage or wording placed in an exhibiting space
that they deem inappropriate, unsuitable, poorly presented, occasioning concern or risk to the general public or
offensive to public taste.
Exhibition promotion and public relations
All exhibitions in council Museums are promoted through council’s website and through council’s monthly
ArtsMail ebulletin.
Invitations are developed by council for all major council exhibitions. Exhibitors are responsible for promoting
their community-initiated exhibitions and for developing their own invitations. See Table 4 for details.
Exhibitors wishing to promote their exhibitions in addition to council’s usual mechanisms are welcome to
do so but are required to acknowledge council’s support of the exhibition. Promotional material therefore
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must be checked by the Curator – Museums and approval for the use of the Moreton Bay Regional Council
logo is required.
The Venue Supervisor can provide a list of VIP’s (including the Mayor and Councillors) for exhibitor’s
mailing list use.
Redcliffe Museum
Pine Rivers Heritage Museum
Bribie Island
Seaside Museum
Insurance of
objects
Promotional strategies
Semi-permanent
Exhibition Space
Standard council
insurance policy
coverage

Included in general Museum
promotion.
Temporary
/travelling space
Standard council
insurance policy
coverage



Semi-permanent
Exhibition Space
Standard council
insurance policy
coverage

Council website listing
Council ‘ArtsMail’ ebulletin listing
Invitation developed and
distributed by council
Media release
Included in general Museum
promotion.
Temporary
display gallery
Standard council
insurance policy
coverage



Meeting room
Standard council
insurance policy
coverage




Foyer area
Standard council
insurance policy
coverage




Semi-permanent
Exhibition Space
Standard council
insurance policy
coverage
Temporary
/travelling space
Standard council
insurance policy
coverage
Community
Display cases
Standard council
insurance policy
coverage








Council website listing
Council ‘ArtsMail’ ebulletin listing
Invitation developed and
distributed by council
Media release
Council website listing
Council ‘ArtsMail’ ebulletin listing
Invitation developed and
distributed by council
Media release
Council website listing
Council ‘ArtsMail’ ebulletin listing
Invitation developed and
distributed by council
Media release
Included in general Museum
promotion.
Council website listing
Council ‘ArtsMail’ ebulletin listing
Invitation developed and
distributed by council
Media release
Exhibitor to provide if desired
Exhibition openings
Council to provide to
launch new semipermanent exhibition if
desired
Council to provide
Council to provide to
launch new semipermanent exhibition if
desired
Council to provide
Council to provide
Council to provide
Council to provide to
launch new semipermanent exhibition if
desired
Council to provide
Exhibitor to provide
opening if desired
Table 4
Openings
Museums will seek to have an opening for all new exhibitions in the temporary/travelling exhibitions
spaces. If an opening is not appropriate, a function may be held during the run of the exhibition that will
highlight the subject matter and promote the museum.
Events and functions held in conjunction with exhibitions must be approved by the Curator - Museums and
must be relevant to the exhibition and the subject matter.
The Mayor is the official spokesperson for Moreton Bay Regional Council events and will be offered the
opportunity to open all functions. If the Mayor is not available he may appoint another Councillor or
spokesperson. The order of proceedings and other guest speakers are programmed by the Network
Coordinator – Museums in consultation with exhibitors.
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Insurance of heritage objects on exhibition
Generally, heritage objects on display in council museums are covered by council’s standard insurance
policy. Should an item of exceptional significance (as determined by Museum staff) or exceptional value
(over $5,000 for a single object or $100,000 for an exhibition) be proposed for exhibition or storage by
council, council staff must notify council’s insurer. Council reserves the right to refuse acceptance of any
item.
Public programs
The Museums will develop projects and programs to complement, support or interpret the themes and
content of the changing and semi-permanent exhibitions. These can include floor talks, professional
lectures, community events, workshops, guided tours, educational kits, recreational events, children’s
activities and films screened in the Museum cinemas.
Retail
Retail outlets are provided at the Museums to complement current exhibitions and as an opportunity for
locals to develop and sell merchandise. They also provide an outlet for the sale of museum merchandise.
The following points provide an overview of the operations of the museum shops. Full details can be found
on the Consignment Form.
Merchandise selection
It is the role of the relevant Venue Supervisor under the direction of the Network Coordinator – Museums
to identify and select appropriate shop merchandise using the following principles:
 Preference is given to producers that reside in the region, are involved in a current museum
exhibition, or that incorporate themes relevant to the museum’s collecting catchment area;
 Merchandise must be of good functionality and quality;
 The provision of a diverse range of merchandise;
 Merchandise is to be affordable;
 Merchandise must be practical for display given availability of space.
Retail terms and conditions
It is the role of the relevant Venue Supervisor under the direction of the Network Coordinator – Museums
to establish the terms and conditions by which producers sell their merchandise in shop outlets. Terms and
conditions will be negotiated prior to the supply of merchandise for sale and the producer will be required
to enter into a written agreement. Council will receive a 25% commission plus GST on all sales of
merchandise on consignment. See the Consignment Form and Terms and Conditions for full details of
consignment terms and conditions.
Display of promotional material in Museums
Museums are often approached by community organisations, businesses and individuals to display or
distribute promotional material. Museums do not fulfil a visitor or community information function and
therefore the museum does not accept all material for display.
Only the following promotional material will be displayed.
 Moreton Bay Regional Council Museums and Galleries promotion
 Local historical society or local community museum information
 Exhibition or program partners brochures i.e. organisations, businesses or individuals who are
directly involved in a current exhibition, event or public program or who formally corporately
sponsor an exhibition.
 Service or industry organisations of which the Museum is a member e.g. Museums Australia,
Brisbane Living Heritage Network
 Special events publications of which the Museum is involved e.g. National Trust Heritage Week
publication
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Definitions
Core collection: Heritage objects acquired for the purposes of preservation, display and research.
Deaccession: the removal, sale, or disposal of a heritage object from the Museum Collections.
Exhibition Programs: Council managed exhibitions and associated public programs such as workshops,
guided tours, and children’s activities taking place in Museums.
Heritage Object: item or object with relevant historical significance.
Museum Collection: The Moreton Bay Regional Council Museum Collection. The Museum Collection is
comprised of two sub-collections: the Core collection and Secondary collection.
Museums: the Pine Rivers Heritage Museum, Redcliffe Museum and Bribie Island Seaside Museum.
Provenance: the historical information regarding ownership, use and manufacture of an object.
Region: the Moreton Bay Regional Council area.
Secondary collection: Heritage objects used for the purposes of working models, education and
interpretation, loan to educational organisations, promotional display, research, and/or for the preservation
of items in the Core collections.
Significance: the historical, social, scientific and aesthetic values that an object or collection has for past,
present and future generations.
Associated forms
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Gift/Donation Agreement
Condition Report - Museums
Incoming Loan agreement - Museums
Outgoing Loan agreement - Museums
Museum Exhibition Form
Consignment Agreement Terms and Conditions
Related Documents
1.
Museum Collection Management, Acquisition and Exhibitions policy
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