Shepparton Art Museum (SAM) is pleased to announce two of its projects have been shortlisted for the 2024 Victorian Museums and Galleries Awards.

Under the Small Project of the Year (Galleries) award category, major temporary exhibition The ARNDT Collection: From One World to Another has been successfully shortlisted after demonstrating its innovative exhibition design, connection to the rich cultural diversity of the Greater Shepparton region, and its presentation of significant contemporary and historical international artists in a regional public gallery. The exhibition, displayed from November 2023 to March 2024, presented a selection of key works from the significant private collection of Matthias Arndt and Tiffany Wood-Arndt, including artworks from Pablo Picasso, Gilbert & George, Alicja Kwade, and Sophie Calle. Th exhibition marked first major presentation of their collection in a public institution in Australia.

Under the First Nations Project of the Year award category, innovative new youth-focused workshop series Creative Arts Storytelling (CAS) has been successfully shortlisted. The program, presented for the first time in 2024, was delivered by SAM in partnership with the Greater Shepparton Lighthouse Project’s OLLY program. The CAS program engaged emerging First Nations artists, including Neil Morris, Ally Knight, and River Loizou, to present a series of after-school workshops for local youth that extended student’s skills in artmaking, including through filmmaking, visual art, poetry, to encourage peer connection and creative outcomes.

Danny Lacy, SAM Artistic Director, says of the announcement:

“The SAM team works hard to deliver high-quality and unique experiences for the Shepparton and Goulburn Valley community and beyond, and we are delighted to be recognised for our outstanding efforts by the leading Victorian peak bodies, Australian Museums and Galleries Association Victoria (AMaGA Victoria) and Public Galleries Association of Victoria (PGAV).

Across the two categories, SAM has been recognised for innovation, creativity and community engagement—all key elements that champion our strengths and the essence of our region.”

This year marks the 31^st year of the prestigious Awards, and the second year of the collaboration between host organisations Australian Museums and Galleries Association Victoria (AmaGA Victoria) and Public Galleries Association of Victoria (PGAV). Since its inception, this annual event recognises outstanding achievements within the Victorian museum, gallery, and community collecting sector. The award winners will be announced at the awards ceremony on Tuesday 1 October.