MUSEUM & ART GALLERY ACCOUNTABILITY

“THE Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery has a muddled governance model and has been slow to react to visitor feedback, Auditor-General Mike Blake says.

Mr Blake found that it was unclear who was responsible for TMAG's budget and day-to-day management.

He recommended that the relevant act, which dates back to 1950, be reviewed and updated.

Mr Blake said TMAG also lacked strategic direction.

"There's been discussion in recent years about what the budget for the museum should be, that's not clear," he said.

"If they had a really good, long-term plan, that might inform what the budget should be, so one of the criticisms that we've got is that there isn't a good forward plan."

Mr Blake said TMAG had taken detailed visitor surveys, but said he was not convinced the information was being used for future planning.

Arts Minister Vanessa Goodwin said TMAG's problems were a legacy of the previous government.

"The challenges faced by TMAG are well understood and I can assure members that this government will not shy away from resolving the challenges," she told Parliament.

Dr Goodwin said the government had recently appointed a new director, and TMAG would soon have a new strategic plan.”

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COMMENT: Well if the TMAG’s governance model is “muddled” one has to wonder what the Minister, and the Auditor General, might think of the QVMAG’s model. Actually if they could describe it that would be good!

If the TMAG’s Act needs an update then quite possibly so too does the polyglot of governance models that every museum and art gallery in the State operates under need an update. Actually in many cases, like in Launceston, there is actually a need to put one in place.

The days when the distinction between ‘governance’ and ‘management’ can be allowed to be blurred to facilitate managerial convenience should have been dealt with long ago. Indeed, the Auditor General’s observation about Strategic Planning is pertinent and very timely. Indeed the need for real and accountable “Strategic Planning” has been there for a rather long time.

Museums have a great deal invested in them – social capital, cultural capital and financial resources.

Publicly owned museums and art galleries should no longer be the playgrounds for dilatants albeit that there is plenty of room for ‘citizen participation.’ – indeed its an imperative. As 21st C institutions accountability to their Communities of Interest & Ownership needs to be both clearly defined and enforceable.

When the minister takes on the task of dealing with the TMAG it would be very good if she looked at all the States publicly owned museums and art galleries given what is at risk and at stake.

Ray Norman