Multicultural Museums Victoria is thrilled to announce that Multicultural Museums Victoria (MMV) has appointed its inaugural Executive Officer to grow and develop the unique alliance of five ethnic museums across Melbourne – the Chinese Museum, Co.As.It. Museo Italiano, Hellenic Museum, Islamic Museum of Australia and Jewish Museum of Australia.
John Petersen, who has extensive experience in both community and government organisations, will bring years of experience working in both the museums and multicultural sectors.
Previously working as a museums and heritage consultant for councils in Victoria and NSW and as Director at the Duldig Studio – Museum & Sculpture Garden, John has 9 years experience as the inaugural Manager of the NSW Migration Heritage Centre at the Powerhouse Museum in partnership with Multicultural NSW.
CEO of the Hellenic Museum, John Tatoulis says, the MMV is a unique in-itiative and wonderfully representative of the benefits of cultural collaboration.
John Petersen’s appointment will further strengthen the alliance and his expertise will ensure the sector group continues to deliver exciting, culturally diverse programming and joint education initiatives.
John’s appointment comes after MMV’s successful inaugural joint pro-ject in 2018, Grandmothers, which saw the Hellenic, Chinese, Islamic, Italian and Jewish museums in Melbourne band together to present moving and inspiring stories about the women in our communities who have shaped us.
Following the success of Grandmothers, MMV received an award from Museums Australia and a commendation from the History Awards.
MMV also received funding from the State Government through Department of Premier & Cabinet, Multicultural Affairs & Social Cohesion Division, to appoint an Executive Officer, as well as philanthropic funding from RE Ross Trust to support MMV’s activities in 2019.
John Petersen’s appointment officially begins on Monday 18 February, and John says, “Victoria’s multicultural museums are the most lively in Australia and we can justly be proud of our MMV alliance. Each museum has a distinctive voice and extraordinary collections. I am looking forward to working with them to showcase the rich heritage of communities that shaped modern Australia.”
Grandmothers was a successful and inspiring example of what MMV can achieve – diverse audiences, cross-cultural collaboration, pooling of resources among cultural institutions, and strengthening Melbourne’s reputation as a culturally rich and diverse city.
With its new Executive Officer John Petersen on board, MMV intends to grow bigger and brighter, and is committed to developing more exhibitions, as well as a joint school education program, local and tourist audience development, and shared events.
