Should We Take Pride in our Performance Heritage?

Split Enz

This week there have been some comments in the age regarding the possibility of Melbourne having a dedicated Performing Arts Museum. As a museum professional and one currently volunteering with the Performing Arts Collection at the Arts Centre, Melbourne, I have witnessed first hand the silent and relentless dedication of the staff and the growth of this amazing collection which just continues to be a jewel in the crown of this city. Sparkling, yet hidden.

Whilst other performance collections around the country through no fault of their own, have gone the way of the dodo, the growth and longevity of the PAC is a tribute to Janine Barand and all the team of the Performing Arts Collection at the Arts Centre. And yes, I'm biased.

Did you know?

* In 2011 The Performing Arts Collection toured the AC/DC exhibition in the UK to acclaimed numbers and people queuing around the corner to get in?

* Nellie Melba, Nick Cave, Kylie Minogue,  JC Williamson Theatre, Lola Montez, Peter Allen, Frank Thring, the MTC, MSO, The Doug Anthony Allstars, Opera Australia, The Australian Ballet, Geoffrey Rush, Graeme Blundell, Split Enz, Chamber Maid Opera and the Scottish Ladies Pipe Band all have items in the collection?  (Ok. you probably haven't heard of the last one, but its one of my fav collections, so it gets a mention)

Nellie Melba Concert Programme

* When the museum collection at the Sydney Opera House was disbanded in the 90's it went to the Victorian Art Centre's Collections.

* The Collection policy at the Arts Centre, Melbourne covers Australian Drama, Dance, Music, Theatre and Cinema (with a bit of TV on the side....) from small local artists to our international megastars. (NB: Please do not send signed Nellie Melba programmes - got lots; she was a marketing marvel...)

* A strong programme of exhibitions, research and collecting endures and grows despite cuts, restructures and our turbulent financial times.

The Age editorial has it spot on. If Melbourne, a city taking pride in its culture, can't we surely have one museum dedicated to our very significant contribution to the performing arts?

We largely define ourselves as a society by our arts, our music. What we enjoy for entertainment reflects our outlook, humour, society and place in the world; telling our stories and background. The collection at the VAC is a powerful tool to help us find and define our identity and build our cultural memory from the past, into the future.

In his speech at the donation of items to the museum, Geoffrey Rush spoke of looking through original Shakespearean documents and items as he researched his role for Shakespeare In Love and commented on that action connecting directly with the past to tell a story now.  Without the preservation and care of these items, our understanding, the history and the context is lost.  So let not our unique performers go unacknowledged.

From Barry Humphries Clltn

It took 150 years for Museum Victoria to find a new home.  Let's hope it does not take quite so long for the Performing Arts Collection.  Whenever it happens, we'll be ready.

Here, care of Culture Victoria, Curator Margaret Marshall talks about the JC Williamson Archive for a special treat!