Immersive arts installation funded by the NSW Government will transform museum experience.
A historic lock-up at Scone Museum is set to become a digital storytelling experience, thanks to a NSW Government grant that will transform how visitors engage with local history. The “Time Portal” project will launch in March 2026, coinciding with the 70th birthday celebrations of the Scone and Upper Hunter Historical Society.
Creative Producer Suzannah Jones and immersive artist Anna Fraser, working together as Case Collective, secured the grant through the Creative Steps program to activate the old Scone Lock-up with an innovative digital arts installation. Fraser has been collaborating with volunteers to research the Museum’s collection and explore ways to bring artifacts and their stories to life through immersive technology.
Case Collective draws on community engagement as part of the creative process, bringing new storytelling approaches to regional communities. Anna Fraser brings exceptional credentials to the project, having created immersive arts experiences for the Australian National Maritime Museum, The Powerhouse Museum and Hyde Park Barracks, as well as projection work for The Sydney Opera House. Previously a lead designer on Hollywood visual effects feature films, Fraser has turned her attention to smaller-scale, community-based projects in the region.
Suzannah Jones has produced numerous arts projects across regional South Australia and New South Wales. The Time Portal marks her second collaboration with Scone Museum, building on her passion for working with regional communities and volunteers to share their stories through innovative approaches.
“There are so many stories that remain untold or hidden from the community. It’s about finding new, engaging ways to share these stories that can bring us deeper understanding,” says Jones.
Carolyn Carter, President of the Scone Museum, says, “We are very fortunate indeed to have this opportunity to lift our Museum into the digital age. We are delighted and excited about the ‘Time Portal’ project which will make so much of our collection come ‘alive.’ We are honoured to have Anna Fraser apply her artistic vision to our Museum, and very grateful for the work that she and Suzannah have already applied to the ‘Time Portal’ project. This grant from CREATE NSW will certainly go a long way to bringing us more in touch with our local community.”
As part of developing the immersive installation, Anna will be running workshops with young people from Scone. This will involve learning how to examine museum objects, design and implement digital storytelling techniques to create animated works.
These workshops will encourage the next generation to be active in preserving and sharing their local heritage.
The Time Portal installation will officially launch on March 21st, 2026, as part of the Scone and Upper Hunter Historical Society’s 70th anniversary celebrations.
For inquiries, contact Suzannah Jones 0447813327 or suzannahjj@yahoo.com.au
Images:
Top: Taken at the old Lock Up. From left to right; Shereen Butters from Scone Grammar, Artist Anna Fraser, Creative Producer Suzannah Jones, and members Carol Ray and Margaret MacDougall from Scone and Upper Hunter Historical Society.
Bottom: Scone Lock Up by Anna Rankmore, courtesy of Arts Upper Hunter.
