Belonging - M&G QLD 2024 Conference

About This Event

Belonging – noun: to feel safe, happy or comfortable in a place, situation or group because you are welcome and accepted.

Belonging – noun: a possession.

How can we, as a sector, foster inclusion and belonging? How do we build empathy and understanding in our communities? How can arts, culture and heritage bridge divides and bring people together?

Museums and galleries are dynamic culture hubs in our communities that tell stories and create meaningful experiences about who we are, where we live, our pasts and futures. As trusted organisations, museums and galleries are able to navigate complex societal issues and actively engage our audiences in important conversations about the world in which we live through exhibitions, education programs, and public outreach.

From 9-11 October, M&G QLD’s 2024 Conference will explore what it means to belong in all its many facets. We will examine how museums and galleries are embracing inclusivity and working with artists, collections, industry leaders and communities to drive positive change into areas of accessibility, diversity and equity. We will also unpack the real or perceived disparities that exist in society and how we, as a sector, can work smarter to overcome these and be truly inclusive and equitable cultural spaces that enrich, shape and benefit our communities.

M&G QLD’s 2024 conference is designed to share professional experience and innovative ideas, enhance knowledge and build industry networks.

Delegates will be inspired by the stimulating program of high-calibre keynote speakers, plenary sessions, workshops and master classes, and be able to take away actionable ideas to apply to their organisations.

The Conference will include a Welcome Reception, two full days of Keynote and Parallel Presentations, Networking Dinners at local restaurants, and Masterclasses and Skills Workshops. 

Registration closes Friday 27 September 2024.

All registration costs listed include booking fees and GST.

Confirmed Keynote presenters

• Regan Pro, Deputy Director of Public Programs and Social Impact, Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, Los Angeles, United States
• Janice Rieger, Associate Professor, ARC Research Fellow, Head of Architecture, Design and Planning, Griffith University 
• Dr Moya McFadzean, Senior Curator, Migration & Cultural Diversity, Museums Victoria
• Hugh O’Connor, Senior Exhibition Designer at Powerhouse Museum, NSW
• Dr Jim Thompson, Chief Executive Officer, Queensland Museum Network
• Simon Elliot, Deputy Director, Collection and Exhibitions, Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA)
• Dr Bianca Beetson, Director First Nations, Queensland Museum
• Morwenna Collette, Director, Morwenna Collette Consulting
• Dr Sari Rossi, Researcher, A New Approach

M&G QLD's International Keynote speaker, Regan Pro's participation at the 2024 Conference is supported by the Gordon Darling Foundation.

For further speakers, along with workshops and masterclasses view the Conference program here

Wednesday 9 October:

Conference Day One - see program

Thursday 10 October:

Conference Day Two - see program

Friday 11 October: 

Masterclasses (9:30am – 1:00pm) 
(Intermediate to Advance – morning tea provided)

• Who are Your Communities? Museums as Neighbour: Regan Pro, Deputy Director of Public Programs and Social Impact, Lucas Museum of Narrative Art,  Los Angeles, United States
  
  
• Unpacking Co-design with Audio Description: Renae Belton, Engagement Coordinator at QUT Galleries and Museums; Sarah Barron, PhD student at Griffith University; Sarah Empey, consultant with art galleries and museums; Janice Rieger, Associate Professor, ARC Research Fellow, Head of Architecture, Design and Planning, Griffith University 

Skills Workshops (9:30am – 4:00pm)*
(Introductory to Intermediate – morning tea and lunch provided)

• First Nations collections and community museums: Olivia Robinson
  
  
• Preservation of Paper-based Collections: Lydia Egunnike, professional conservator and Australian Institute for the Conservation of Cultural Material (AICCM) member
  
  
• Capturing your collection, digitisation in a museum environment: Michael O’Neill, Manager of Collection Imaging, Te Papa Tongarewa, New Zealand

* Preference will be given to community and volunteer-run public museums, galleries and heritage organisations, or organisations with two or less paid professional staff. 

The program of Skills Workshops is supported by the Community Heritage Grants program. The Community Heritage Grants program is funded by the Australian Government through the National Library of Australia; the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts; the National Archives of Australia; the National Film and Sound Archive of Australia and the National Museum of Australia. 

Social Activities

We encourage you to visit Toowoomba’s arts and cultural attractions on Tuesday and Friday or stay the weekend to explore the region. You can experience Toowoomba’s beautiful gardens, or discover the city’s murals, public art, history, and other cultural offerings by car or one of the many self-guided walking tours. 

Wednesday 9 October

From 6:00pm: Welcome Drinks at the Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery (SOLD OUT)

From 7:30pm: Networking Dinners (at own cost)
Network with colleagues over dinner at one of Toowoomba’s restaurants. These networking dinners are grouped by area of interest. Please select which dinner you would like to attend when registering:

• Public program / community engagement / visitor experience
• Exhibition / curatorial / interpretation (SOLD OUT)
• Australian Museums and Galleries Association Queensland 
• Open to all delegates

Thursday 10 October: 

Thursday evening - 7:00pm to 8:30pm: 'The Shape of Music' performance at the Armitage, Empire Theatre. 

‘The Shape of Music’ is a 1.5-hour performance. The first part of the performance features award-winning artist/composer/author Matt Ottley working with members of The Michael Haydn Orchestra to create live music based on drawings, showcasing his unique composition technique and how neurodiversity (in Matt’s case synaesthesia) can lead to diverse approaches to art/music making. It is part of Matt’s Sound of Picture Books^TM initiative that has been performed by the West Australian Symphony Orchestra, various ensembles in Hong Kong, South Korea and at the Sydney Writers Festival.

The second half of the performance will feature internationally acclaimed pianist Ayesha Gough, accompanied by the Michael Haydn Orchestra, performing a selection of original compositions by Matt Ottley as well as well-known classical/contemporary pieces from the repertoire. 

For more information about M&G QLD's 2024 Conference, including Travel Information go to 
https://magsq.com.au/training-and-events/belonging-mg-qld-conference-2024

For enquiries contact M&G QLD at E: information@magsq.com.au         

or P: 07 3059 9740.