GO6270: Distributed National Collections

The Distributed National Collections Program is directed at the identification, development, conservation, maintenance and display of collections of nationally significant artistic or cultural material.

The training, professional development, partnering and networking, collection support and management activities supported by the Distributed National Collections Program are intended to assist in achieving this core aim.

These activities support the strengthening of best practice in the museums and galleries sector.

Grants are provided to the National Library of Australia to administer the Community Heritage Grants Program; to the Australian National Maritime Museum to administer the Maritime Museums of Australia Project Support Scheme; and to the Australian Museums and Galleries Association (AMaGA) to administer AMaGA’s National Conference Bursaries Program.

The objectives of the Distributed National Collections Program are achieved by: assisting not-for-profit, incorporated organisations to identify, collect, develop, conserve, preserve, maintain and display objects or collections of nationally-significant artistic or cultural material.

Only the three grantees (the National Library of Australia, the Australian National Maritime Museum, and the Australian Museums and Galleries Association) are eligible to receive Distributed National Collections Program grants.

The program was established as a closed, non-competitive process by Ministerial decision.

For sub-program delivery, the National Library awards Heritage Grants to Australian, not-for-profit, incorporated community organisations; the Maritime Museum supports community organisations (including regional museums and organisations) and provides internships for paid or unpaid staff from not-for-profit organisations; the Association provides bursaries to cultural heritage sector delegates living and working/volunteering in regional and remote Australia and to Indigenous cultural heritage sector delegates from across Australia.