Museums Australia (Victoria) manages a Museum Accreditation Program for
museums in the State of Victoria.  The Museum Accreditation Program (MAP)
is a two-tiered process in which museums can firstly register after
demontrating that principles and practices of museum and collection
management are beingor have been developed and then be assessed for
Accreditation after a three year (max.) period.  Accreditation is achieved
after the museum can demonstrate that a high level of museum standards have
been reached.

Small museums including art, local history, military (and just about
anything else you can think of)  are the main subscribers to the Program.
The Program was instigated in 1993 and to date, around 60 museums, or 10%
of existing museums in the State, have been accepted for registration
towards Accreditation.  One museum, the first, is currently being assessed
for Accreditation.

Strategic planning is an integral part of the MAP registration process, and
includes the development of a mission statement, collections, loans and
de-accession policies, and short and long-term goals and objectives.
Accreditation, as the next step, encompasses strategic planning for
marketing and public relations, exhibitions and public programs, and
education and community involvement, amongst other management policies and
practices.

The Registration and Accreditation forms are accompanied by guidelines and
together these provide a template for museums to use for strategic
planning.  I would be happy to send you a copy via the post if you are
interested.

Also, are you aware that the National Heritage Collections Committee has
National Guidelines for use by museums?  Please contact Peter Cahalan at
the History Trust of South Australia or Annabelle Stephenson at the Federal
Department of Communication and the Arts on email: [log in to unmask]

Adrienne Leith
Museums Australia (Victoria)

Museums Australia (Victoria)
Unit 4 19-35 Gertrude Street
Fitzroy  Vic 3065
AUSTRALIA

Tel:    +61 3 9416 1945
Fax:    +61 3 9416 0523