| Murray Art Museum Albury | |
| Coordinates: | -36.0806°N 146.9168°W |
| Established: | October 2nd 2015 |
| Location: | Dean Street, Albury, New South Wales Australia |
| Type: | Art museum |
| Director: | Jacqui Hemsley, November 2015 - September 2016Bree Pickering, November 2016 - March 2023Blair French, January 2024 - current |
| Curator: | Michael Moran, Nanette Orly, Andrea Briggs.[1] |
| Publictransit: | Dean St, Albury. |
Murray Art Museum Albury (abbreviated MAMA) is a contemporary art museum located in Albury, Australia. Formerly known as the Albury Regional Art Gallery it was renamed as part of a $10.5 million refurbishment which included renovations to the former gallery building, the neighbouring Burrows House and the extensions linking and extending both buildings into QEII Square.[2] The internal size of the museum expanded from 832m² to 2036m², with an Atrium on the ground floor leading to 7 gallery spaces over two levels. The building was designed by architect firm NBRS and Partners.[3]
On the north facing terrace of the museum is Canvas Eatery, a restaurant operated by Tim Tehan. Canvas offers relaxed modern cuisine overlooking QEII Square.[4]
The museum manages the art collection of Albury City Council, an extensive collection of over 3000 items.[5] Early acquisitions to the collection were drawn from the Albury Art Prize, which was established in 1947.[6] The founding of the National Photography Prize in 1983 encouraged a new focus on contemporary Australian photography, building on some earlier acquisitions. The National Photography Prize continues to the present day and continues to be a key source of acquisitions. The photography collection comprise over 600 works and is one of the most important of its kind in Australia. It includes works by Tracey Moffatt, Max Dupain, Richard Woldendorp, Michael Riley, Destiny Deacon, Olive Cotton, Justine Varga and Philip Quirk.[5]
Other highlights in the permanent collection include works by Russell Drysdale, Margaret Olley, Patrick Hartigan, Lorraine Connelly-Northey, Brook Garru Andrew and Hany Armanious.
Murray Art Museum Albury opened on October 2, 2015, with the exhibition Wiradjuri Ngurambanggu (On Wiradjuri Country) and featured the work of contemporary indigenous artists Jonathan Jones, Brook Andrew, Lorraine Connelly-Northey, Karla Dickens and Nicole Foreshew.[7]
Major exhibitions have included:
In its programming, Murray Art Museum Albury emphasises original, self-curated exhibitions, and actively supports the practice of established and emerging contemporary Australian artists. The museum is a significant commissioner of new artworks by Australian artists,[15] [16] [17] [18] [19] and also supports new commissions by arts writers,[20] independent curators[21] [22] [23] and partnerships with other cultural organisations.
The museum has a variety of spaces available for public events and programs, hosting a year-round program[24] of exhibition openings, artist-led talks, field trips, tours, and workshops.[25] Additionally, the museum hosts a commercial art education program in MAMA Studio, featuring short courses[26] and workshops for adults[27] and Art School and Art Camp for kids and teens.[28] All programs are inspired by the current exhibitions and developed to further explore ideas and themes in the artwork.
In addition, a number of monthly clubs and weekly art talks are hosted by the museum,[29] [30] [31] which support the community building aspects of the museum. This is further enhanced by the MAMA Members program, and the museum's volunteer program, which encourage deeper engagement.
The museum is an important cultural asset for the Albury-Wodonga community, and is well utilised by local school groups, preschools, and independent education providers as a destination for tours, excursions and studio art workshops.[32]
Murray Art Museum Albury is supported by an independent fundraising organisation, the MAMA Art Foundation.[33] The Foundation is the primary supporter of the biennial National Photography Prize,[34] as well as providing funds for the acquisition of new work for the permanent collection.[33]
Murray Art Museum Albury is currently operated by AlburyCity Council. In May 2018, AlburyCity Council voted to begin a process of transitioning the Museum to an independent model of governance. In December 2020, Council endorsed the model of a Company Limited by Guarantee as the preferred governance model. In May 2021, a Provisional Board was endorsed. In November 2022, approval for the transition was granted by the Minister for Local Government. In July 2023, a new entity, MAMA Ltd, was formed with a founding Board of Directors.
The transition to independence remains ongoing. Under the new model, the Museum will continue to be financially supported by AlburyCity Council. Council will continue to operate the Museum until final agreements are made with MAMA Ltd, and an operational transition is complete.