Canberra linking up with the Smithsonian

Andrew Barr has the news that Canberra’s cultural institutions are going to be partnering with Washington DC’s Smithsonian:

Today I was delighted to launch the National Capital Exchange Program (NCEP), a new initiative to foster the exchange of ideas, expertise and learning between the ACT and the Washington DC-based Smithsonian – the world’s largest museum and research complex.

The first stage of NCEP will involve the education managers of many of the ACT’s cultural institutions and national attractions travelling to the USA this May. The visit to the USA will:

• Allow ACT-based staff to learn from the extensive expertise of their Smithsonian colleagues in providing public education and cultural programs;
• Develop long-term partnerships between Canberra’s attractions and institutions and the Smithsonian’s many museums and galleries, and;
• Foster increased collaboration among the ACT’s cultural institutions and attractions.

During my trade mission to the USA last November I met with Smithsonian staff, and explored ways in which the ACT’s national and cultural institutions could learn from and collaborate with their counterparts in the US capital. I am pleased that Canberra-based staff will now benefit from active collaboration with the Smithsonian.