Arts Upper Hunter, in partnership with Tocal Homestead, Scone Museum, and Dungog Museum, is delighted to announce the successful applicants for the This Here Then Now (THTN) Museum Activation Residency Program. Funded by the Regional Arts Fund, this residency initiative aims to revitalize small local museums by creatively engaging artists with their collections, spaces, characters, and stories.
Dungog-based artist Helene Leane will collaborate with Dungog Museum to creatively interpret their ornate cash register, engaging audiences and enhancing their understanding of historical currency systems using pounds, shillings, and pence.
Todd Fuller, who has extensive experience in museum activation and recently completed a residency with the Liddell WORKS program, will develop an animation through theatrical performance in partnership with a local theatre group. This animation will illustrate the story of Captain Thunderbolt (Frederic Ward) and his connection with Tocal Homestead, where his criminal career began.
Sophie Cox, a textile artist, will work with Scone Museum to creatively interpret a large cedar desk marked with engravings from schoolchildren of almost a hundred years ago. In collaboration with volunteers, students, and other participants, Sophie will create fabric rubbings that will be stitched and embroidered through workshops to produce a large wall hanging for display at the museum.
“We are excited to see a project of this kind in the region and envisage this will be the first of many. We look forward to seeing the outcomes of this innovative project,” said Project coordinator Suzannah Jones. ‘Through their creative interventions, artists aim to enhance visitors’ understanding, broaden the museums’ community engagement and attract new audiences’.
This Here Then Now will be collaborative and engaging. “Working together with museum members and their audiences is important,” says Jones. “The artists will explore fresh perspectives on local history and culture, encouraging new ways of seeing and experiencing our region’s rich heritage.”
According to Arts Upper Hunter Executive Director John O’Brien, “We think these will be marriages made in heaven – the artists are keen to engage with locals and work with the museum volunteers. They’ll be revealing fresh angles on some of the treasures in our local museums.”
THTN could not happen without the support of the Regional Arts Fund; “The Regional Arts Fund is an Australian Government initiative supporting the arts in regional, remote and very remote / isolated Australia.”
For more information email rado@artsupperhunter.com.au or call John O’Brien on 0409 38 509.