Plenary: Build it… reconceptualising museum and gallery spacesHall A, MECCChair: John Walsh

Deborah TranterDirector Cobb+Co Museum and Regional Services, Queensland Museum

Museums and Communities: Changing Dynamics: An analysis of the Cobb+Co Museum in Toowoomba

Museums and Communities: Changing Dynamics

Case study Cobb+Co Museum

Deborah Tranter

Reconceptualising the Cobb+Co Museum as a pivotal agent

in its community’s social, cultural and economic

development

• Stage 1 1987-2001 traditional museum model

• Stage 2 2001-2010 social enterprise model

• Stage 3 2010- creative-cultural industry model

Stage 1 1987-2001

Traditional museum model

• internal collection-focused institution• horse-drawn vehicles• curriculum learning programs• shared site with TAFE college

Stage 2 2001-2010

Social enterprise model

• community resource centre • dedicated to lifelong learning and

inclusivity• broader exhibition themes and associated public programs.

National Carriage Factory project

• History is in Your Hands • Community leadership• Inreach not outreach• Gave the community permission to

speak on behalf of the Museum• $2million commitment

Walkway of Honour

Stage 3 2010 -

Creative-cultural industry model

• safeguarding heritage trades• innovation, creativity and design• hub for Hand Made in Country• social, cultural and economic benefits for the community

Binangar Centre

Little Cobbers

Reminiscence Program - Volunteer

Cobbs Coffee Shop

Dinner Function

Uses capital heritage assets -natural, built, moveable and intangible to foster

• economic prosperity, • social cohesion, • sustainable practices and • function as important patterns and

symbols promoting a distinctive community identity

For a tree to grow well, the seed can be international

but the soil must be local

Su Donghai, Professor National Museum of China

International models

• Creative Industry network model• Convention for Safeguarding Intangible

Heritage (UNESCO)• Ecomuseum• Economuseum• HandMade in America

National Carriage Factory

Heritage Trade Workshops

Daily Have A Go

Thomas Weir – Heritage Trade Apprentice

Artisans

• earning a living from involvement in education and training

• production and promotion of quality hand-made merchandise

• participation in tourism trails and significant events

Handmade items

From the last stop before the dump to a place marker

immersed in its community through shared values

Museums and Communities: Changing Dynamics

Case study Cobb+Co Museum

Deborah Tranter