State supports digitisation of art, minerals

The city's art and mineral collections will be digitised thanks to a $433,359 grant announced by the NSW Government today.

Almost $1.6 million in funding has been earmarked by the State to assist regional arts, screen and culture organisations to digitise collections and develop a state-wide regional digitisation strategy.

NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro and Minister for Arts Don Harwin announced investment into 11 projects under the Regional Cultural Fund (RCF) to make it easier for museum, art and other culturally important collections to be explored and enjoyed.

“Digitisation allows people to more easily access, learn from and appreciate NSW’s invaluable cultural assets,” Mr Barilaro said.

“Important and historically-significant collections can be found all throughout the state, and now through this program, these collections can be better preserved and made more widely available to local as well as international communities.

“Educators, researchers and tourists will all benefit,” he said.

Mr Harwin said that in addition to the 11 projects supported, further funding has been provided to determine a regional strategy for ongoing digitisation as a priority for the NSW Government.

“Broken Hill is a standout example of this funding in action. Home to diverse collections of national and international significance that are currently inaccessible, Broken Hill City Council will now undertake a two-year program to digitise more than 3,200 objects in the Broken Hill Regional Art Gallery and the Albert Kersten Mining and Minerals Museum,” said Mr Harwin.

“They will also partner with the NSW Government, Museums and Galleries of NSW and Orange City Council to develop a prototype model and a business case for a single sustainable, regional digitisation strategy that will bring state-wide benefits."

Council's Gallery and Museum Manager, Tara Callaghan, thanked the NSW Government for their support.

"We're very lucky to have so many unique and valuable artworks and mineral specimens in our city, and this grant will ensure they can be seen by people all over the world," she said.

"The digitisation strategy shows great foresight and underscores the importance of cultural works and artefacts, and we're very pleased to be able to take part."