4 April 2017

Shepparton Art Museum (SAM) is pleased to announce a new Learning Partnership with The University of Melbourne. The partnership will support the development of significant Indigenous initiatives and activities, embed teaching and learning opportunities for staff and students and establish a platform for collaborative, interdisciplinary cultural impact research.

SAM’s commitment to education spans across all ages and education levels. It has a strong dedication to the development of educational programs for primary, secondary and tertiary levels. Staff and students at tertiary level will have access to SAM’s collection and research, encouraging professional development opportunities as well as the opportunity to deeply engage with SAM’s collection and broader research.

SAM Curatorial Assistant Indigenous, Belinda Briggs, will work with the local Indigenous community and Kaiela Arts in partnership with the University on the co-design of the Museums Indigenous inclusion program along with the development of an Indigenous pathways initiative.

The announcement comes at an exciting time for SAM, as progress continues around the new SAM project. With this transition will come ample opportunity for new research and ideas around both art and the local Shepparton community to come to fruition. The new Art Museum will include a purpose built art museum space. Kaiela Arts and the Greater Shepparton Visitor Information Centre will be co-located in the new building. The new SAM will be a place for learning, enjoyment, a meeting place and great art.

Director of SAM Dr Rebecca Coates said:

‘We are delighted to be partnering with The University of Melbourne for this learning partnership. This is an exciting partnership that will enable us to continue to develop our work around teaching and learning and build Indigenous inclusivity.’

Australian and Indigenous Studies Expert from the University of Melbourne, Professor Marcia Langton AM said:

‘It’s my very great pleasure to announce the learning partnership between the University of Melbourne and the Shepparton Art Museum as part of our broader commitment to the Goulburn Valley. In the first twelve months, we will collaborate on a range of research, teaching and learning activities; establishing a platform across disciplines for Cultural Impact Research. We hope that this will come about in different ways, including through an Indigenous Inclusion Program, developed with the museum and Yorta Yorta people. There’s so much potential for this partnership, and I’m so honoured to announce it on behalf of the University.’

Further information, interviews requests and print quality images:
SAM Marketing Coordinators | (03) 5832 9494 | amina.barolli@shepparton.vic.gov.au or sarah.werkmeister@shepparton.vic.gov.au

IMAGE: L-R: Marcia Langton, Rebecca Coates, Belinda Briggs and Mary Robb. Photo by Diana Spriggs.