Lord Mayoral Candidate Arron Wood and Deputy Lord Mayoral candidate Erin Deering today announced their support for the proposal to establish an Intercultural Museum in the City of Melbourne that recognizes our rich, local multicultural communities and showcases their heritage and contributions to Melbourne through an intercultural approach.
The proposal, developed in consultation with multicultural stakeholders, will see the development of a world-class interactive and inclusive Intercultural Museum within Melbourne located at the Queens Corner Building at the Queen Victoria Market, or another suitable site. The proposed facility will be a 10,000 sqm facility dedicated to celebrating Melbourne's rich cultural diversity, fostering inclusivity and promoting community engagement. Team Wood emphasised that the museum is a vital step in reinforcing Melbourne’s reputation as a multicultural and vibrant global city with the most multicultural museums in Oceania. The museum will be a vibrant space dedicated to showcasing the rich cultural tapestry of our city. It will provide a platform for diverse communities to share their heritage, stories, and contributions, fostering a deeper appreciation and understanding among all Melburnians.
The Intercultural Museum will also be a true people’s place, embracing and exploring intercultural narratives that bring people closer together. Accessible and inclusive to all, it will be a place to make connections, historically and contemporarily; challenge the status quo; shift perceptions; and be active contributors to our own stories.
If elected, Wood and Deering will commit to dedicate the proposed site, located on City of Melbourne-owned land in the Queen Victoria Market precinct, for the Intercultural Museum and will further commit $15 million to help bring their vision for the Intercultural Museum to life by supporting the development of the facility, with possible contributions expected from state and federal governments as well as philanthropic sources to assist in the construction.
“The Intercultural Museum will be a true reflection of who we are as Melburnians,” Wood said. “It will not only showcase the stories, heritage and contributions of our many diverse communities, but also serve as a beacon of understanding, empathy and cross-cultural dialogue. I am proud to support this project, which will cement Melbourne’s standing as a leader in multiculturalism,” he continued.
Initial estimates project the museum to deliver significant economic benefits to the city, generating approximately $55 million per annum in local revenue, job creation, tourism
and additional visitation to the Queen Victoria Market. The museum is also expected to draw in tens of thousands of international students and school students from across Victoria to visit the CBD, learn about the City’s rich cultural heritage and support local businesses currently doing it tough. In particular, the Intercultural Museum will be an institution of international standard and provide an anchor to broader community activations with the Queen Victoria Market and the Queen Victoria Market South precincts.
“This museum will be more than just a cultural hub; it will be an economic driver, supporting local businesses and helping to revitalise our city as we continue to recover and grow,” Deering said. The museum will feature a range of interactive exhibitions, educational programs and events designed to engage people of all ages and backgrounds, promoting inclusivity and reinforcing Melbourne’s multicultural identity.” This space will foster connections between different communities, strengthen our shared bonds and create opportunities for all Melburnians to come together and celebrate our unique stories,” Wood concluded.
Quotes:
"The Hellenic Museum is proud to partner with Team Wood on this project, which will serve as a vital platform for unity in an increasingly fractured global society. The Intercultural Museum will not only preserve the heritage of our diverse communities but also create a space where cross-cultural understanding and dialogue can thrive. This initiative aligns with the Hellenic Museum’s mission to foster inclusivity and celebrate the shared history that unites us all."— Sarah Craig, Director of the Hellenic Museum.
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