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Museums and Tourism - a marriage made in heaven?
The focus for International Museum Day, 18 May, is “Museums as sites of tourism”. The role of museums and galleries as tourist sites striving to attract more visitors and a diverse audience is hotly debated. Does tourism distract from the museum's core business and jeopardise the representation of history, or is it core business?
Tourism Research Australia identifies visiting museums and galleries and heritage buildings, sites and monuments as the most popular of cultural activities. In 2008, the UK city of Liverpool, in celebrating its status as the EU Capital of Culture, saw museum and gallery attendances soar by close to 400 per cent.
Clearly there are great opportunities for the Perth Cultural Centre, but can our institutions cope, how should we be encouraging tourism in our cultural institutions, how can museums better engage with local, national and international tourists in these times of economic downturn? What will this achieve for Perth and Western Australia?
We will be hosting a Forum on this subject during Museum Week. Check out the Events page.
We would love to hear your views on the Perth Cultural Centre, and Museums and Tourism in general. So have your say, or submit a question to be posed to our expert panel at the Museum Week Forum.
Tourism Research Australia identifies visiting museums and galleries and heritage buildings, sites and monuments as the most popular of cultural activities. In 2008, the UK city of Liverpool, in celebrating its status as the EU Capital of Culture, saw museum and gallery attendances soar by close to 400 per cent.
Clearly there are great opportunities for the Perth Cultural Centre, but can our institutions cope, how should we be encouraging tourism in our cultural institutions, how can museums better engage with local, national and international tourists in these times of economic downturn? What will this achieve for Perth and Western Australia?
We will be hosting a Forum on this subject during Museum Week. Check out the Events page.
We would love to hear your views on the Perth Cultural Centre, and Museums and Tourism in general. So have your say, or submit a question to be posed to our expert panel at the Museum Week Forum.
Views: 110
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Claire Savage on -
Given that most museums and galleries are free to enter how can they make the most out of the visitors they do get? In the UK entry fees were introduced years ago and visitor numbers went down so they eventually took the entry fee away. Given that in times of recession museum budgets are likely to be cut how do we ensure that they are adequately funded to ensure they provide the best possible visitor experience whilst at the same time ensuring that they can carry out their curatorial role?
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Permalink Reply by Barry Keens on -
We must make a small charge or we would not be able to maintain the service we provide. I believe that if people are going to come to the Country they will expect to make a small contribution to visit the unique museums that are available in these regional districts. Our charge at $5.00 is minimal.
Barry Keens
Wyalkatchem
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Permalink Reply by Jane King on -
Well the Victorian Government seems to have acknowledged the important role of cultural tourism. Its latest budget announced a $69M package for the arts to, among other things BUILD AUDIENCES at State Institutions which will CREATE JOBS. Hooray at last!!! recognition of the economic benefit of the ARTS!!!
Check out the story: http://www.artshub.com.au/au/news.asp?sc=0&sId=177913
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Permalink Reply by Jane King on
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This is the paradox isn't it. There's a recession, so our State government cuts spending, which includes our State Institutions, who mostly have free entry. But this is free entertainment so as the home purse strings tighten, one would expect more people visiting museums and galleries, increasing the demand on staff and facilities ....... so staff get a bit frazzled, toilets back up...... etc etc.
When in fact this is just the time to be pouring more money in, creating new jobs, and ensuring these new audiences have a great time, and become ambassardors for our fantastic collections!!!
Claire Savage said:Given that most museums and galleries are free to enter how can they make the most out of the visitors they do get? In the UK entry fees were introduced years ago and visitor numbers went down so they eventually took the entry fee away. Given that in times of recession museum budgets are likely to be cut how do we ensure that they are adequately funded to ensure they provide the best possible visitor experience whilst at the same time ensuring that they can carry out their curatorial role?
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Permalink Reply by Admin@MuseumsWA on -
See the article in Saturday's West - http://www.thewest.com.au/default.aspx?MenuId=77&ContentID=140740#
Is this just gossip - or is this the reality faced by our State Institutions?
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Permalink Reply by Teri Hale on
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hello all,
I think a nominal charge of $5.00 is very reasonable and I will have no trouble paying that amount. I think museums and galleries should get more support and not less, they are so important. I know some may argue that it is only for the rich as many can no longer afford luxury items, but we still need to keep learning alive.
I am so grateful that I can go to a museum or gallery and view art treasures or pottery from an ancient society. I think all people should enjoy such an outing and not classify it as only for the rich. Tourism is one aspect that can enhance the visitor experience, they can buy a momento for example.
for the best trip anywhere.....all inclusive vacations
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Permalink Reply by Leigh O'Brien on -
I would be keen to hear of any comments about the Forum held last week, as I missed it. Thanks
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Permalink Reply by Jane King on
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Leigh O'Brien said:I would be keen to hear of any comments about the Forum held last week, as I missed it. Thanks
Leigh,
The forum was GREAT! About 60-70 people turned up despite the horrendous weather. All the panellists spoke very well. You should see the ideas that Sefano has for the roof of the Art Gallery - Perth's very own version of the Met roof cafe!! Now that's a tourist attraction!
There were loads of questions asked and ideas put forward, we recorded it all and also did a Vox Pop session at the PICA Bar afterwards.
The main point that I got out of it was that everyone was in furious agreement - capital works need to be undertaken but will take time - even if all the money was available now. So, now is the time to start doing other things that will start to make the place come alive with activities. The late night sessions of the Nick Cave exhibition, the Art Bar at AGWA, and collaborations across all the cultural centre organisations, are the kinds of things that can start to activate the space.
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Permalink Reply by Catherine Martella on -
Since that the discussions at the debate about the Perth Cultural Centre were so interesting I decided to start a group of Facebook to continue them.
My idea is to also encourage people who are not a member of this website to get involved and give there opinion. For all you on Facebook the group is called Perth Cultural Centre and can be accessed at :
http://www.facebook.com/inbox/readmessage.php?t=1066592590536&f...
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Permalink Reply by Leigh O'Brien on
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Thanks Jane. Do you plan for the recording be available on this website sometime?
Jane King said:Leigh O'Brien said:I would be keen to hear of any comments about the Forum held last week, as I missed it. Thanks
Leigh,
The forum was GREAT! About 60-70 people turned up despite the horrendous weather. All the panellists spoke very well. You should see the ideas that Sefano has for the roof of the Art Gallery - Perth's very own version of the Met roof cafe!! Now that's a tourist attraction!
There were loads of questions asked and ideas put forward, we recorded it all and also did a Vox Pop session at the PICA Bar afterwards.
The main point that I got out of it was that everyone was in furious agreement - capital works need to be undertaken but will take time - even if all the money was available now. So, now is the time to start doing other things that will start to make the place come alive with activities. The late night sessions of the Nick Cave exhibition, the Art Bar at AGWA, and collaborations across all the cultural centre organisations, are the kinds of things that can start to activate the space.
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