Director Of Australia's New National Museum In NZ

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DIRECTOR OF AUSTRALIA'S NEW NATIONAL MUSEUM DELIVERS SEMINARS IN NEW ZEALAND

Dawn Casey, Director of the new National Museum of Australia in Canberra is coming to New Zealand on 21-24 October 2002 to lead a session on strategic thinking and leadership. The session, aimed at leaders of the arts, culture and heritage sectors, is part of the second He Kähui Käkäkura Strategic Leadership Programme, developed by Te Papa National Services and Victoria University of Wellington.

Whilst here Ms Casey will also lead three seminars for a wider audience as part of a series of training initiatives developed by Te Papa National Services.

Ms Casey will speak from her personal experience of guiding the new National Museum of Australia through its developmental stages from first proposal to full operation.

She concedes that there is no simple formula for good management. Crucial decisions rely on good judgement - the gift of knowing when to let things be or when to go in hard, of understanding a political situation and how to exploit it.

"National museums are particularly challenging because the stakes are so high, for both government and people. For managers, a major consideration will always be balancing the legitimate stakeholder expectations of government, the board of management and the visiting public. Sometimes negotiation and compromise are called for, but sometimes it is time to take a stand and fight - the art is in knowing the difference," said Ms Casey.

Ms Casey will also talk about controversy and how to handle it, museums as civic spaces, and the creative use of new technologies.

Prior to her appointment as Director of the National Museum of Australia in 1999, Ms Casey was Chief General Manager of the Acton Peninsula Project Task Force, the body responsible for the construction of the new National Museum.

Ms Casey has wide-ranging experience in the management of indigenous and cultural heritage policy issues. As a member of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, she was responsible for the establishment of the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation.

Ms Casey has received four Public Service Australia Day Medals for work of outstanding achievement.

Seminars:

AUCKLAND

Monday, 21 October, 12.30pm -2pm, Auckland Art Gallery

CHRISTCHURCH

Wednesday, 23 October, 12.00 noon -1.30pm, Canterbury Provincial Council Building

WELLINGTON

Wednesday, 23 October, 10.30am-12 noon, Te Papa

ENDS

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