IMAGinE awards

On Thursday 21st November, museums, galleries, and Aboriginal cultural organisations from across New South Wales gathered at Paddington Town Hall to celebrate the announcement of the 2024 IMAGinE Awards. This prestigious annual event recognises the exceptional achievements of cultural institutions and individuals, with this year’s winners showcasing outstanding excellence in exhibitions, community engagement, and accessibility initiatives.

The Batemans Bay Heritage Museum won the award for A Tale of Two Valves in the exhibition’s category.

This exhibition celebrates the oyster fishing history of Bhundoo / the Clyde River, from the Walbunja Yuin people to modern commercial farmers. A Tale of Two Valves uses artefacts, photos, and multimedia to showcase the industry’s cultural significance. By honouring past and present harvesters, the project promotes sustainable practices, strengthens community ties, and highlights the role of oysters in preserving the river’s health and local heritage.

The IMAGinE Awards provide an essential platform to celebrate the resilience, creativity, and dedication of museums, galleries, and Aboriginal cultural centres.

This year’s exhibitions category was noted for innovative approaches to curation, featuring projects that amplified historically marginalised voices and brought new perspectives to audience’s state wide. These efforts exemplify the sector’s commitment to fostering community connections and making the arts accessible to all.

Brett Adlington, CEO of Museums & Galleries of NSW, remarked,

“The IMAGinE Awards continue to celebrate and champion the extraordinary efforts of our cultural sector. The work recognised this year reflects an inspiring commitment to creativity, inclusivity, and community impact, strengthening the cultural landscape of New South Wales and enriching the lives of our communities.”

The IMAGinE Awards remain a cornerstone in acknowledging and celebrating the vital contributions of NSW’s cultural sector to the state’s rich and diverse tapestry.

For a full list of the winners and highly commended
https://mgnsw.org.au/sector/programs/imagine/winners/winners-2024