FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q: HOW DO I DONATE TO THE WESTERN PLAINS CULTURAL CENTRE.

The WPCC collects a range of objects and is keen to develop a collection that reflects the diversity and experience of the Dubbo Region.

If you have an object that you think will suit the collection, please contact our Collections Officer, Jessica Moore to discuss your object and its suitability for the collection. The process of adding to the collection involves four key steps:

1.             Review of the Object by Collections Officer and Staff of WPCC.

2.             Development of an Acquistion Proposal

3.             Review of Proposal by WPCC Accession and Deaccession Sub-Committee

4.             Inclusion in Collection or Return of Object to Donor.

The overall process of adding an object to the collection can take several months depending on its complexity.

Q: WHAT KIND OF OBJECTS AND ARTWORKS DO YOU COLLECT?

The WPCC has developed a policy document that has been approved by Western Plains Regional Council. This policy outlines what the WPCC will collect for its collection. This policy states:

                2.1 The Dubbo Regional Gallery will actively collect artworks related to “The Animal in Art” And/or Artworks specific to and from the Dubbo Region.

                2.2 The Dubbo Regional Museum will develop its collection specific only to objects of significance to the region.

The WPCC welcomes donated objects if they meet the requirements of our Collection Policy (for example, the Museum is unlikely to accept an item if it already has a similar one in the collection).  Unfortunately the costs of storing and looking after an object to museum standards (temperature & humidity control, light control, pest controls, etc.) can often be very high and this combined with limitations in storage space, the WPCC is only able to acquire objects assessed as having considerable value in terms of the knowledge they convey and the ‘fit’ of such objects within the collection.

The WPCC also has an Education Collection that includes the collection of objects for use in education programs and in the Education Resource Centre. These objects are handled and used by students and are therefore open to damage, because of this we only collect objects for the Education Collection that are not significant.

WPCC Shall Not Acquire Works of Art and Cultural Objects:

Which cannot be stored, handled, displayed, or cared for safely and securely within current resources;

Where the validity of legal ownership is in question and cannot be transferred to WPCC;

Where the object is considered secret or sacred by Indigenous peoples and is the subject of religious or cultural sanctions.

Q: WILL THE WPCC PURCHASE MY OBJECT FOR THE COLLECTION?

The WPCC has a small acquisitions fund which is added to with fundraising efforts and donations. While we are able to purchase some objects, it is rare that we purchase objects for the Museum Collection as we would need to:

- Demonstrate that the object is of High Significance to the region,

- Undertake to gain a valuation of the Object (The WPCC and it’s staff cannot provide valuations),

- Demonstrate that the expenditure is warranted because the object is an integral addition to the collection and adds considerably to the knowledge conveyed by the collection.

Q:  WILL THE WPCC PLACE THE OBJECT I DONATE ON DISPLAY?

While the WPCC aims to display your object when possible, we cannot guarantee that the object you donate will go on display permanently in either the museum or gallery. The WPCC holds exhibitions that explore a range of art practices, historical events and social issues and where appropriate your object may be included. We encourage you to see donations as not just about the display potential of the object but, as a contribution to the development of a valuable collection of cultural material held in trust for the community of Dubbo.

Objects donated to the Education Collection and specifically for use in the Education Resource Centre are more likely to be placed on display, but again this cannot be guaranteed. It should be noted that the objects in this room are on open display are designed to be handled and used by visitors. Because of this, the objects are liable to damage, loss or mishandling. While the WPCC monitors this room, the long term safety of objects in this room cannot be guaranteed.

Q: WHAT IS ‘SIGNIFICANCE’, HOW DO YOU WORK OUT IF MY OBJECT IS ‘SIGNIFICANT?

Significance 2.0 was originally published in 2009 by the Collections Council of Australia, a national collections sector industry council that provides support and policy for the Heritage and Museum Industry. The WPCC uses the guidelines set out in ‘Significance 2.0’ to assess the meanings and values of an item or collection through research and analysis, and by assessment against a standard set of criteria.

Four primary criteria apply when assessing significance:

- historic

- artistic or aesthetic

- scientific or research potential

- social or spiritual, 

- four comparative criteria evaluate the degree of significance. These are modifiers of the main criteria:

- provenance

- rarity or representativeness

- condition or completeness

- interpretive capacity

For more information about Significance 2.0 you can view it online at www.environment.gov.au/heritage/publications/significance2-0

Q: CAN I DONATE AN OBJECT AS A LONG TERM LOAN? CAN I RETRIVE MY OBJECT AFTER I DONATE IT TO THE COLLECTION?

The Western Plains Cultural Centre Collections Policy states that;

“Works of Art or Museum objects offered to the Dubbo Regional Gallery Collection or the Dubbo Regional Museum Collection on a long term in-ward loan basis will only be accepted on the understanding that the work will eventually be permanently donated to the Collection of WPCC. Such An agreement shall be documented before the work is accepted for loan.”  Long Term loans are not supported, as the WPCC has to pay for the care, security, insurance and maintenance of an object and cannot afford to do this for objects that are not legally/formally part of the collection.

When an object is donated, the WPCC shall take on full legal ownership of objects bequeathed, gifted or donated, as such objects cannot be retrieved from the collection once the donation is complete. Anonymous donations of objects will not be accepted by the WPCC.

DONATING AN OBJECT TO THE EDUCATION COLLECTION

When an object is donated to the Education Collection, including objects for the Education Resource Centre, the object shall be used in Education Programs with the public and with school groups. This may involve the handling and use of object that could lead to its damage or loss.

The WPCC takes reasonable care to ensure the safety of these objects, however due to the nature  of the Education Collection the long-term preservation and safety of said object/s can not be guaranteed.

However we ask that you sign below to acknowledge that you accept that by donating an object to the Education Collection the long-term preservation and safety of said object can not be guaranteed.