We are honoured to have partnered with Creative Australia to deliver cultural mediation training for the staff of the Australia Pavilion at next year's Venice Biennale. Cultural mediation is our visitor engagement practice, driven by the belief that audiences are eager to learn, but also to be questioned, challenged, and to connect and be heard.
UQ Art Museum Director Peta Rake said our training will empower the invigilation team to engage deeply with international audiences about Archie Moore's powerful work and practice. “UQ Art Museum has been an early adopter of cultural mediation practice and training in Australia. This training will equip the staff at the Australia Pavilion with tools to facilitate dynamic and active dialogue with an artwork, turning mere attention and interest into important conversation.”
Creative Australia's Head of Visual Arts, Mikala Tai, said that "by drawing from cultural mediation principles, participants of the Program will be empowered to relay Archie Moore’s critical messages of First Nations truth telling presented through his artwork to audiences visiting the Australia Pavilion".
Creative Australia selected eight Australian creative and cultural workers from across Australia to participate in this professional development program, and we are thrilled that UQ Art Museum Mediator and recent UQ graduate Luisa Randall is among them! Congratulations to Luisa and to all the incredible Pavilion Invigilation Program participants we had the pleasure to meet during their time with us.
About cultural mediation
Cultural mediation puts visitor experience front and centre, supports two-way conversation and encourages visitors to participate and deepen their own perspectives.
Mediation is a way to remove unwelcoming barriers between UQ Art Museum and its visitors. Unlike a traditional “guided tour”, it offers our visitors the option to explore artworks and exhibitions with staff members who are trained to create space for visitors to ask questions, share ideas, and think deeply about the artworks we share with them.
Learn more about cultural mediation at UQ Art Museum.