The Australian Museums and Galleries Association Victoria (AMaGA Victoria) and the Public Galleries Association of Victoria (PGAV) partnered to deliver the 2023 Victorian Museums and Galleries Awards.  

Now in its 30th anniversary, the prestigious Awards recognise outstanding achievements within the Victorian museum, gallery, and community collecting sector. 

In 2023, the Awards took on a fresh look and feel as a result of a new partnership between AMaGA Victoria and PGAV. The two organisations collaborated on a new visual design and renewed Awards categories to recognise and commend diversity and innovation within the sector.

Three of the 2023 Awards were generously supported by industry sponsor Archival Survival*.

THE 2023 INDIVIDUAL WINNERS
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR
WINNER: Tammy Nguyen Vietnamese Museum Australia

Tammy is a remarkable volunteer and leader who inspires and motivates others through her charisma and dedication. She fosters collaboration with diverse communities, organises meaningful events, and fundraises for charitable causes. As a member of the Vietnamese Australian Professional Network, she also bridges generational and cultural gaps, nurturing a vibrant volunteer community. Victorian Museums & Galleries Awards 2023

Judges comments: Tammy is commended for her dedication in realising a community museum, showcasing her remarkable leadership, active committee participation, and collaboration with various organisations to bring this vision to fruition

MARTIN HALLETT AWARD FOR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
WINNER: Sherene Hassan Islamic Museum Australia

Sherene has been instrumental to the Islamic Museum of Australia, contributing greatly to its success through community outreach, cultural training, and educational programs. Her input in gallery content has made it an inclusive space for all to learn about Islam.

Judges comments: Sherene is a crucial figure in promoting intercultural collaboration by educating school students and others about Australia's Islamic community, contributing significantly to reducing racism and Islamophobia while fostering cultural awareness, making her an invaluable asset to the museum sector.

CHANGE-MAKER OF THE YEAR
WINNER: Rose Hiscock The University of Melbourne

In 2016, Rose was appointed as Director, Museums and Collections to lead the development of the Science Gallery. Her work led to the formation of the Museums and Collections department, opening of the Science Gallery, and the ongoing development of an Indigenous-led Place for Indigenous arts.

Judges comments: Rose has achieved a remarkable feat by centralising the university's collections, displaying exceptional leadership, innovation, and collaboration, which are essential for the successful execution of this challenging endeavour.

THE 2023 ORGANISATION WINNERS
VOLUNTEER-RUN PROJECT OF THE YEAR*
WINNER: Queenscliffe Historical Society for their exhibition Queenscliffe Revealed: Hidden Histories, New Narratives

Opened in September 2022 as part of the Queenscliffe HUB project, this exhibition, researched and curated by QHM volunteers on a limited budget, featured three main themes and 26 stories, offering insights into the history of the Wadawurrung, Queenscliffe, and Point Lonsdale regions.

Judges comments: This is a wonderful project with an impressive number of local stories developed and researched for it to tell the history of the community.

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Women’s Art Register for their publication Leaving Your Legacy: A Guide for Australian Artists

Judges comments: This is an excellent project with relevance and real outcomes, using multiple platforms to educate the community -- very well done.

SMALL PROJECT OF THE YEAR (MUSEUM)*
WINNER: Yarra Ranges Regional Museum for their exhibition Hard Place/Good Place: Yarra Ranges

The result of cross-sector collaboration and a minimal budget, the exhibition showcased augmented reality stories created by local young people affected by a severe windstorm in the Dandenong Ranges in June 2021. It aimed to address community issues such as climate change and mental health, contributing to the healing and recovery process after the storm's first anniversary.

Judges comments: Highlights successful collaboration between university partners and participants, with a strong emphasis on engaging stakeholder communities and demonstrating the project's lasting relevance, particularly in the context of climate change. It underscores the essential role cultural organisations can play in their communities during times of crisis.

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Shrine of Remembrance for their exhibition Defending with Pride

Judges comments: The exhibition serves as a compelling illustration of how cultural organisations can influence attitudes and beliefs, showcasing the Shrine's effective engagement with stakeholder communities, with clear and compelling evidence of its impact.

SMALL PROJECT OF THE YEAR (GALLERY)*
WINNER: RMIT Culture for Radical Utopia, The Design Archaeology of a Creative City

This collaborative project between RMIT Design Archives and RMIT Gallery resulted in an exhibition, public programming, and a scholarly journal edition. It delved into how 1980s Melbourne designers pioneered innovative creative practices through design activism, public discourse, exhibitions, publications, and new media, ultimately leading to the development of digital creative practices and establishing Melbourne as a global leader in the field, particularly in gaming.

Judges comments: The judges praised the collaboration between RMIT Culture and RMIT Design Archives for the "Radical Utopia" exhibition, highlighting its exploration of 1980s Melbourne designers' creative practices and the educational value of the accompanying expanded edition of the RMIT Design Archives Journal.

HIGHLY COMMENDED:  Hamilton Gallery for their exhibition Luminous: John Orval, Stained Glass Artist

Judges comments: Hamilton Gallery has accomplished an ambitious project with limited resources, and their scholarly approach to exhibition-making has left an impact on audiences and made a significant contribution to Australian art history.

MEDIUM PROJECT OF THE YEAR (MUSEUMS)
WINNER: Museums Victoria for their exhibition More Than a Tarrang (tree): Memory, Material, Cultural Agency

This exhibition connects memory, material practice, and cultural agency, featuring ancestral belongings, artworks, and new pieces by senior and emerging artists, while also promoting a deeper understanding of trees as more than mere objects and fostering the regeneration of knowledge of Country.

Judges comments: This exhibition represents a remarkable First Peoples-led collaboration between museums and academia, challenging traditional norms and yielding an innovative outcome that beautifully merges natural and First Nations heritage. It is truly awe-inspiring and outstanding.

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Bonegilla Migrant Experience for their exhibition The Bonegilla ID Cards

Judges comments:  This exhibition exemplifies innovative design with interactive elements that immerse visitors in the migrant experience, encouraging reflection and engagement. It also showcases the project's collaborative nature and the possibilities of collections digitisation for future exhibitions.

MEDIUM PROJECT OF THE YEAR (GALLERY)
WINNER: Art Gallery of Ballarat for their exhibition Beating About The Bush: A new lens on Australian Impressionism

The enduring appeal of Australian plein-air landscape paintings has shaped our perception of the Australian landscape. However, female artists and lesser-known male artists associated with this group have often been marginalised in art history. The exhibition, inspired by various influences, seeks to challenge these historical biases by presenting works by female Australian Impressionist artists and contemporary female photographers, allowing for a more comprehensive representation of the period and challenging prevailing myths.

Judges comments: The exhibition provided a meaningful reinterpretation of the gallery's collection. The gallery capitalised on the opportunity by filling gaps in their collection of Australian female Impressionist painters and contemporary female photographers, as well as conducting conservation work on significant artworks and frames.

HIGHLY COMMENDED: TarraWarra Museum of Art for their exhibition TarraWarra Biennial 2023: ua usiusi fa'ava'asavili, curated by Dr Léuli Eshrāghi.

Judges comments: This exhibition shows a commitment to championing new voices in the field and exemplifying an innovative curatorial model – sparking conversations about Indigenous aesthetics and practices across Australia and in neighbouring Asia and Oceania.

LARGE PROJECT OF THE YEAR
WINNER: Museums Victoria for their exhibition Tyama: A deeper sense of knowing

The exhibition transports you to Victoria’s nocturnal worlds, immersing you in 360-degree responsive projections, breathtaking effects, and exquisite soundscapes. Tyama is the Keerray Woorroong language verb ‘to know’. It is about knowing, not just with our minds, but with our whole body.

Judges comments: An exciting exhibition that showcases how larger cultural organisations can harness cutting-edge technology to innovate in exhibition display and visitor experience while honouring First Peoples' traditions and knowledge. It offers a rich and resonating experience that has captivated audiences.

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Central Goldfields Art Gallery for the Gallery Redevelopment Project

Judges comments: This serves as an exciting illustration of the positive impact and increased community engagement achievable through substantial redevelopment efforts by cultural organisations. By revitalising existing structures and fostering stronger connections with community stakeholders, the project has positioned the Art Gallery favourably to continue fulfilling its social role in the region.

FIRST NATIONS PROJECT OF THE YEAR
WINNER: Daylesford and District Historical Society with Djaara Elder Uncle Rick Nelson for their exhibition Coranderrk Portraits

This exhibition offers a rare opportunity to reflect on the impact of colonisation and forced removal on the Dja Dja Wurrung people and their communities. It features portraits of Dja Dja Wurrung ancestors from circa 1866 and includes a narrated film led by Djaara Elder Uncle Rick Nelson and Professor Barry Golding, taking visitors on a truth-seeking journey across significant sites. The exhibition is complemented by storyboards, videos, images, text, and artefacts that delve into the Dja Dja Wurrung story and Coranderrk history.

Judges comments: Initiated by Uncle Rick Nelson, this project showcases impactful local collaboration and dialogue led by Elders and First Peoples, bridging cultural divides, decolonising spaces, and reconnecting Djaara Ancestors with their community through powerful ancestral portraits. Involving young children in interpreting the artwork adds an inter-generational dimension to this small-scale initiative with a strong community spirit.

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Bundoora Homestead Art Centre for Truth-telling Permanent History Display

Judges comments: This project highlights the role of arts and cultural institutions in bridging gaps between Traditional Owners and local councils, offering a lasting resource that affirms Indigenous stories, decolonises spaces, and fosters reconciliation and collaboration. Kudos to all involved for their dedicated three-year effort.

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Krowathunkooloong Keeping Place for the Repatriation of Gunai Kurnai GRI (canoe) project

Judges comments: The project achieved significant national and international impact through its repatriation efforts, emphasising the importance of returning cultural materials. The strong relationship with TMAG and the Tasmanian Aboriginal community is fundamental to the project's success, contributing to community strengthening, care, and well-being. This work serves as a noteworthy example of community-driven repatriation and is part of a growing global momentum in the repatriation of material culture

Volunteer-run Project of the Year (Museums & Galleries) 
Queenscliffe Historical Society - Queenscliffe Revealed: Hidden Histories, New Narratives
Trentham & District Historical Society - The Trentham District Story
Whitehorse Historical Society - From Then Until Now: Exploring the Stories of the Whitehorse Area
Women's Art Register - Leaving Your Legacy: A Guide for Australian Artists

Small Project of the Year (Museums) 
Grimwade Conservation Services - Conservation of Objects of Significance for the Melbourne Holocaust Museum
National Wool Museum - Your Museum, Geelong's Museum
Shrine of Remembrance - Defending with Pride
Yarra Ranges Regional Museum - Hard Place/Good Place

Small Project of the Year (Galleries) 
Bayside Gallery - Tai Snaith: Hierarchy of Needs
Hamilton Gallery - Luminous: John Orval, Stained Glass Artist
RMIT Culture - Radical Utopia: The Design Archaeology of a Creative City
The Dax Centre - Adopted

Medium Project of the Year (Museums) 
Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute x Grimwade Conservation Services - Heritage Collection Conservation
Bonegilla Migrant Experience - The Bonegilla ID Cards
Museums Victoria - More Than a Tarrang (tree): Memory, Material, Cultural Agency
State Library Victoria - The Rest Is Up To You: Melbourne Fringe Festival 1982-2062

Medium Project of the Year (Galleries) 
Art Gallery of Ballarat - Beating About The Bush: A new lens on Australian Impressionism
Bendigo Art Gallery - Australiana: Designing a Nation
TarraWarra Museum of Art - TarraWarra Biennial 2023: ua usiusi fa'ava'asavili
The University of Melbourne - Peter Tyndall at Buxton Contemporary Art Museum

Large Project of the Year (Museums & Galleries) 
Arts Centre Melbourne - APAC Reveal
Central Goldfields Art Gallery - Gallery Redevelopment Project
City of Melbourne - Relocation & Accessibility: Melbourne's collection returns to its spiritual home
Museums Victoria - Tyama: A deeper sense of knowing

First Nations Project of the Year (Museums & Galleries) 
ACMI - How I See It: Blak Art and Film
Bundoora Homestead Art Centre - Truth Telling Permanent History Display
Burrinja Cultural Centre - Bim Kunwarddewardde: Stone Country Painting
Daylesford & District Historical Society x Djaara Elder Uncle Rick Nelson - Coranderrk Portraits
Koorie Heritage Trust - Blak Design
Krowathunkooloong Keeping Place, Gippsland & East Gippsland Aboriginal Co-Operative - Repatriation of Gunai Kurnai GRI (canoe)
National Wool Museum - Wadawurrung Dja: Awakening Country
Wangaratta Art Gallery - Bitja Wokka: Fire Country

2023 VICTORIAN MUSEUMS AND GALLERIES AWARDS SPONSORS AND SUPPORTERS

Victorian Museums and Galleries Awards 2023 design by Pidgeon Ward.