Your collection can be divided many ways. You do not need to stick to any formal definition of “Collection” which may be in use at your Institution. Any grouping of objects which forms a useful view into your collection will be appreciated.
Object groupings which have been developed around exhibitions, publications or programs are ideal candidates. You can provide links to any current online exhibitions in the Collection Description data.
Ideas and Examples
- Examples of collections could include:
- Object – e.g. the Chair Collection; the Swimwear Collection.
- Collecting area – e.g. Australian Decorative Arts.
- Person – e.g. Paul Keating Collection; Nancy-Bird Walton Collection.
- Organisation – e.g. Victa Lawnmower Collection; Clyde Engineering Collection.
- Slice of time – e.g. The 1950s; The Macquarie Era.
- Concept or Theme – e.g. Innovation : The History of Powered Flight
- Community – e.g. the Greek Cypriot Community; The Ukulele Community.
- Place – e.g. The Rocks, Sydney; Tropical Queensland.
- Event – e.g. 1956 Melbourne Olympic Games; The Prince Philip Design Award.
- Process/Material – e.g. The Scrimshaw Collection; The Plastics Collection.
- Powerhouse Museum sample spreadsheet
- Powerhouse Museum’s collection list
- Queensland Museum’s collection list
- Museum Victoria’s collection list
- Australian National Maritime Museum’s collection list
- History SA’s collection list
- Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery’s collection list
- You can also view other institutions’ collection groupings for more ideas:
Image Credit: Collection Powerhouse Museum: Photographer Geoff Friend