Green Museum Project

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

The Green Museum Project is a sustainability initiative developed by Museums Australia (Victoria) now AMaGA Victoria and made possible by the generous support of Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation with additional support from Creative Victoria. The program ran for two years and finished in February 2018. The project was designed to complement the Museum Accreditation Program, and training was open to all museums and galleries operating in Victoria with priority given to MAP-Accredited and MAP-enrolled organisations.

Project staff delivered practical training in Melbourne and regional hubs to volunteers of Victorian museums and galleries on preventive conservation and environmental sustainability practices. Workshop participants gained knowledge to reduce energy use, save costs, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve lighting facilities, reduce the risk of collections to light and ultraviolet damage, and position their organisation as a local leader in sustainability.

Specifically, participants were trained in how to:

• Conduct an energy and lighting audit to establish baseline measures

• Measure and adjust exhibition and display lighting to meet conservation standards

• Ensure long-term preservation of collection material through object rotation schedules

• Create and implement an Environmental Sustainability Policy

• Design an Action Plan for sustainable operations

The overall project benefits were:

• Improved environmental performance and image

• Staff trained for continued sustainability improvement activities

• Environmental awareness and basic understanding of sustainability issues within the context of the cultural heritage sector

• Identification and evaluation of possible solutions and alternate technologies and methodologies to increase organisational sustainability

• Assistance with long-term preservation of collection material