Collections Australia Network (CAN) is an online service providing public access, professional development resources and links to more than 1,500 galleries, libraries, archives and museums. Find institutions and their collections throughout Australia using the CAN collections database. Create your own website by becoming a CAN partner, consult Sector information for publications, and subscribe to some very useful discussion lists such as CAN Talk.
Collections Council Australia served as the peak body for the Australian collections sector from 2005 to 2010. Explore its Resources pages, and the Conservation/Preservation Showcase. See also National Standards for Australian Museums and Galleries.
Australian Heritage Directory / Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities covers a wide range of heritage-related Commonwealth and state government agencies & non-government organisations, funding for heritage, laws, databases & lists, and key resources.
Help for collections damaged by fire or flood
The Australian Institute for the Conservation of Cultural Materials (AICCM) website contains information on salvaging collection items damaged in a disaster.
National institutions
Contact the following for conservation / preservation advice.
- Australian War Memorial - look into research and family history, education, events and exhibitions, and a Conservation Section.
- National Archives of Australia - get advice on Records management, Digitisation and copying, and check Publications for a wealth of archive information.
- National Film and Sound Archive - find out about the latest audiovisual preservation techniques in the Preservation Section.
- National Gallery of Australia - get advice from the Conservation Department on all things art.
- National Library of Australia - browse the website for Preservation, Digitisation, Digital Preservation, Newspaper digitisation and access online collections, archives and directories.
- National Museum of Australia - find out about exhibitions, research, education, collections and materials conservation.
Most major state and territory museums, art galleries, archives, and state libraries also offer conservation / preservation advice.
Professional bodies
- Australian Institute for Conservation of Cultural Materials (AICCM) - look for a Conservator in the List of Conservators (AICCM members in private practice).
- Australian Council of Professional Historians Associations Inc (ACPHA) - look for a Significance Assessor in the Consultants Register.
- Australian Library and Information Association
- Australian Society of Archivists - browse the extensive Directory of Archives in Australia on the Resources page.
- Museums Australia
- Oral History Association of Australia - access Guidelines of Ethical Practice, Links, and Directory of Collections.
Conservation supplies
The following suppliers provide a range of archival products. The National Library of Australia does not endorse them or accept responsibility for the quality of their products.
- Albox Australia, Kent Town, SA
- Archival Survival, Hawthorn, Victoria
- Conservation Resources, Preston, Victoria
- Endangered Textiles, Canberra, ACT (02) 6287 1291
- Munters, Northmead, NSW
- National Library of Australia, Canberra, ACT
- Preservation Australia, Enmore, NSW
- Zetta Florence, Fitzroy, Victoria
Education
- Centre for Cultural Materials Conservation offers conservation training through academic programs and can provide conservation services and advice for individuals or organisations.
- The University of Canberra offers a Bachelor of Cultural Heritage Conservation
Library Preservation Glossary
Other grants
Grant-finding websites:
- Funding & Support Opportunities / Australian Government Department of Regional Australia, Local Government, Arts and Sport
- Guide to Community Grants / Department of the Parliamentary Library.
Federal Grants:
- Grants / Australia Council for the Arts.
- Nonprofit/community sector grants / Philanthropy Australia.
- Your Community Heritage / Australian Government Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities
- Veteran & Community Grants / Australian Government Department of Veterans' Affairs
- Grants - Helping You Preserve Our Heritage / Australian National Maritime Museum.
- Funding and Support Opportunities / Australian Government Department of Regional Australia, Local Government, Arts and Sport
New South Wales:
- Arts Grants / Regional Arts NSW
- Museum Grants / Gallery Grants / Mentorship & Fellowship / Museums & Galleries NSW
- Cultural Grants / Arts NSW
- Heritage and Cultural Grants / Royal Australian Historical Society
- 2011-2013 NSW Heritage Grants Program / Office of Environment & Heritage, NSW Government
Queensland:
- Funding Opportunities / Museum & Gallery Services Queensland Ltd
- Public libraries grants / State Library of Queensland
Victoria:
- Grant Programs: Funding and Support for Heritage Conservation / Department of Sustainability and Environment, Victoria
- Grants & Awards / Public Record Office Victoria.
- Victoria's Heritage Grants / Heritage Victoria
Western Australia:
- Grants and funding / WA Government
- Lotterywest /WA Government
South Australia:
- Grants / Department of Environment and Natural Resources, South Australia
- South Australian History Fund / Community History Unit, History Trust of South Australia.
Northen Territory:
- History Grants / Northern Territory Archives Service
Tasmania:
- Grants / Heritage Tasmania
