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Additional Information

NETS Victoria – Travelling Exhibitions Handbook

‘Travelling Exhibitions: A Practical Handbook for Metropolitan and Regional Galleries and Museums’ was published in 2002 by NETS Victoria, edited by Sara Kelly. This comprehensive resource looks at the practical considerations of touring an exhibition within an Australian context. It considers the touring of an exhibition from the responsibilities of the different partners, through to budgets and agreements, as well as insurance and copyright. There are also detailed sections on transporting the exhibition, packing methods and preparation of works/objects for travel, and OH&S issues for travelling exhibitions. If you wish to purchase this detailed resource, please refer to the NETS Victoria website by following this link.

The Exhibitions Group

The UK-based organisation The Exhibitions Group (formerly Touring Exhibitions Group) was founded in 1985 and is a non-profit professional development organisation. Their Mission is to “empower everyone in exhibitions to create relevant, sustainable, diverse and accessible exhibitions”. The Exhibition Group website hosts an array of useful resources accessible to the public looking at exhibition making, with many on touring. Through obtaining a membership, many more informative and practical resources are available. This website can be found via this link.

National Association for the Visual Arts Touring Detailed Discussion

This section of NAVA’s Code of Practice provides includes a detailed discussion on the considerations and responsibilities of different parties when engaging in a touring exhibition. There is a focus on equity, inclusion, diversity, and ethical management in this best practice guide. Find this online resource at this link.

Acknowledgements

The development of the National Standards for Exhibition Touring has been informed by extensive research and consultation, including:

  • Consultation with the NETS Australia agencies.
  • A literature review and desktop analysis.
  • A Benchmarking Survey on sector awareness of touring.
  • Engagement with people and places that tour through an online questionnaire.
  • Engagement with host venues through an online questionnaire.
  • Speaking with the sector to test the Standards and improve resources, with three main consultation groups: o Tour organisers and host venues in South Australia (in person); o Tour organisers and host venues in Regional NSW (in person); o and Online project and community-focused spaces (participation from NSW, SA, VIC, TAS, WA, & NT). The consultation processes and the development of the first edition of the Standards was led by consultant Olivia Welch in conversation with NETS Australia.

We would like to thank and acknowledge the critical work of:

  • Bec Blurton from First Nations Affairs in reviewing the Standards and generating essential resources.
  • Accessible Arts for reviewing the Standards and providing valuable comments and suggested amendments.
  • The Arts Law Centre of Australia for their advice and assistance.

We would also like to credit the design work of:

  • Elisa Lee, Creative Director of Unstacked, for their website and graphic design.
  • David Mackenzie, for their functional and layout design work across the NETS Australia resources. NETS Australia is assisted by the Australian Government through Creative Australia, its principal arts funding and advisory body. NETS Australia comprises seven state organisations: Artback NT, ART ON THE MOVE, Contemporary Art Tasmania, Country Arts SA, Museums & Galleries of NSW, Museums & Galleries Queensland, and NETS Victoria.