Opportunities for Regional QLD gallery staff

MEDIA RELEASE COURTESY: Museum and Gallery Services Queensland (M&GSQ)

New Mentoring Program to Support Museum and Gallery Staff and Volunteers Working in Regional Queensland

Museum and Gallery Services Queensland (M&GSQ) is proud to launch its exciting new initiative, the 2011 Pilot Mentorship, Exchange and Fellowship Program.

The 2011 Pilot Mentorship, Exchange and Fellowship Program offers a fantastic professional development opportunity for gallery and museum staff and volunteers working in regional Queensland to access expertise in cultural institutions within Australia and overseas, learn from leading industry professionals and build lasting networks.

With the financial support of Arts Queensland through the Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF), M&GSQ will offer four types of programs in 2011. For emerging, mid-career and established professionals in Queensland regional galleries and museums, three types of programs with a total of eight opportunities will be offered:

GALLERY MENTORSHIP:
2 opportunities @ $3,000 each

MUSEUM MENTORSHIP:
2 opportunities @ $3,000 each

STAFF EXCHANGE PROGRAM | CO-MENTORING PROGRAM:
2 opportunities [total of 4 people] @ $3,000 per person

INTERNATIONAL FELLOWSHIP:
2 opportunities @ $6,000 each

For volunteers in museums or galleries located in regional Queensland, one type of program with a total of four opportunities for volunteer internships will be offered:
VOLUNTEER INTERNSHIP FOR MUSEUMS OR GALLERIES:
4 opportunities @ $3,000 each

Jenny Galligan, Executive Director, Arts Development | Arts Queensland, officially launched the program at the 2010 Gallery and Museum Achievement Awards (GAMAA) – a gala industry event presented by M&GSQ and hosted by the Caloundra Regional Gallery, Sunshine Coast, on Friday 15 October 2010.

The Executive Director of Museum and Gallery Services Queensland, Rebekah Butler, said ‘Museum and Gallery Services Queensland is committed to providing quality professional development opportunities for paid and volunteer staff working in our State’s museums and regional galleries.’

‘We are delighted to offer this initiative in 2011. Our new Pilot Mentorship, Exchange and Fellowship Program will build on the range of professional development programs and experiences M&GSQ provides to support our sector’s paid and volunteer staff to grow their professional networks, skills and expertise.’

‘The Pilot Mentorship, Exchange and Fellowship Program has been a long-term aspiration of M&GSQ. We are grateful to Arts Queensland and the Regional Arts Development Fund for their support in making this program possible.’

Full details of the Pilot Mentorship, Exchange and Fellowship Program Pilot Mentorship, Exchange and Fellowship Program guidelines and application forms are available from M&GSQ’s website at www.magsq.com.au
Eligible applicants must be paid staff and volunteers working in Queensland public museums and galleries located outside of the Brisbane metropolitan area*.
(*The Brisbane metropolitan area is defined as areas within the Brisbane City Council jurisdiction.)

M&GSQ’s 2011 Pilot Mentorship, Exchange and Fellowship Program is funded by Arts Queensland through the Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF). RADF is a joint Queensland Government and Local Government partnership to support local arts and culture.

The closing date for all four programs is 31 January 2011. If you are interested in applying, you must contact M&GSQ to discuss your professional development focus by 24 November 2010.