Museums Victoria

Season two of Science is a Superpower is here! Holly Ransom and friends are back - using science to have fun while learning more about the world around us. Today is International Day of Women and Girls in Science, and we’re sharing even more easy experiments, fun STEM activities, and inspiring stories to spark curiosity and empower the next generation of scientists. Check out what Holly and the team have in store for season 2 - available now through the link below. https://lnkd.in/g6c3Mzj7

Welcome to Tinkertown - a world of marvellous invention, playful engineering and mindful tinkering - opening 5 April at Scienceworks! This brand-new hands-on exhibition is designed for young problem-solvers and inventors, set in a space where creativity is always under construction. Tinkertown invites kids (and kids at heart) to experiment, tinker and bring their boldest ideas to life. Build cubbies, design wild contraptions and solve tricky puzzles while exploring the exciting world of engineering and design. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gsPajqZd

Calling all Culture Makers! We're thrilled to announce that we're now accepting expressions of interest (EOI) from artists to participate in Culture Makers Season Four. Made possible thanks to the generous support of our Philanthropic Partner, the Scanlon Foundation, the values of Diversity, Inclusivity, Visibility and Collaboration are at the heart of this program; a fantastic opportunity for Victorian artists to engage with and develop experiences at Melbourne Museum. As a Culture Maker, you'll have the chance to work closely with Museum Victoria's experts to develop and present your work. Not only will you get to showcase your creativity, but you'll also reach new audiences and deliver unique and meaningful experiences to a wider community. Don't miss out on this exciting opportunity! Head to our website for more information and to submit your expression of interest 🔗 https://brnw.ch/21wQv8U

Museums Victoria is saddened to learn of the passing of one of our generous collection donors and long-term collaborators, Anita Apinis-Herman. Anita (1952-2025) was a skilled Latvian weaver, taught by her mother Anna who brought to Australia her skills, cultural knowledge and loom, from a displaced persons camp in Germany after World War II. This precious loom, designed by Anita's father Ervins and made by fellow camp residents from salvaged timbers, was donated by the Apinis family in 2006. A second loom, also belonging to the Apinis family, was displayed for many years at the Immigration Museum from 1998. This loom was transferred back to Latvia with Anita's support as a wonderful example of cross-cultural and institutional collaboration. Anita often enthralled visitors at the Immigration Museum with her activations of the loom, demonstrating the skill required to create the intricate weavings from different regions in Latvia. She donated many pieces to the Museum over the years, made by herself and her mother, which created a rich and culturally significant collection. Anita donated a final selection of weavings in 2024, forever generous in her desire to leave a Latvian cultural legacy from the Apinis family. Anita was deeply committed to the preservation and practice of her Latvian weaving traditions and she has gifted objects and cultural knowledge to Museums Victoria of incalculable value. Museums Victoria extends its deepest sympathies to Anita's family. She will be greatly missed, warmly remembered and her legacy to Museums Victoria will live on. The Apinis family collection can be viewed on the Museums Victoria Collections website.

We were delighted to host Minister for Children the Hon. Lizzie Blandthorn MP this morning, celebrating the start of Little Kids Week In at Scienceworks, the home of STEM education in Victoria. The Minister visited Ground Up and the Kinder Clubhouse: a safe place for little learners and the next generation of engineers, designers and creators to get hands-on with sensory play, craft, movement and imagination. Play-based learning extravaganzas like Little Kids Week In are made possible with the support of Victorian Department of Education initiatives like Best Start, Best Life and the Future Innovators Early Childhood professional development program. Little Kids Week In is at Scienceworks from 3-7 February – and, as always, kids go free. Plan your visit here: Little Kids Week In - Scienceworks Little Kids Week In is proudly supported by Best Start, Best Life.

We’re getting ready to celebrate the Lunar New Year at Melbourne Museum! Melbourne’s renowned Chinese Youth Society of Melbourne (CYSM) will bring the energy of Lunar New Year to life with their breathtaking dragon and lion dance performances. Visit our website for full details on the performances and activities taking place on Saturday, 1 February. Happy Lunar New Year to all who celebrate.  

Fossil-bearing rock has been collected from the narrow shore platforms facing the Southern Ocean on the south coast of the State of Victoria since 1978. There are more than 700 individuals whose combined efforts, starting in 1984, have brought to light the fossils of what has been dubbed by one of them “The Dinosaur Dreaming Project”. Senior Curator of Vertebrate Palaeontology, Dr Thomas Rich, explores the fascinating history of this seminal paleontological project in his article on our website. https://brnw.ch/21wQbo7

Bonjour ! Parlez-vous français ? Pairing perfectly with Immigration Museum’s newest exhibition, Notre-Dame de Paris: The Augmented Exhibition, we’re hosting a monthly French Conversation Club. These are relaxed chats presented in partnership with the VoulezVouloz French school, enjoyed over a Complimentary tea or coffee and a selection of French snacks. In the mood for a French chat? See you there! https://brnw.ch/21wQ7e0

We are thrilled to offer STEM Curious as a free program in partnership with the Department of Education in Victoria. STEM education provides children with a strong foundation to develop essential learning dispositions like perseverance, problem solving, creativity, and collaboration. Early childhood educators and teachers are encouraged to visit our website to check eligibility. We would love to see you in one of our online sessions or at our next face-to-face session held at Scienceworks on January 18th! To express your interest in an upcoming face-to-face session, please email us at: earlyyearsstem@museum.vic.gov.au Proudly Supported by Best Start, Best Life.

The brilliant view from the Royal Exhibition Building's Dome Promenade just got even better thanks to a visit from Robbie Williams and VicScreen. "Without Melbourne and Australia, this film wouldn't exist," said Robbie. He was met with a warm, sunny welcome and congratulations on the release of 'Better Man'. As the biggest film ever made in Victoria, it has created thousands of local jobs. Deputy Premier Ben Caroll MP, Minister for Creative Industries Colin Brooks MP and VicScreen CEO Caroline Pitcher were all here on the stunning Dome Promenade to welcome Robbie and praise the efforts of the many Victorians who helped bring the film to life. 📷 Group photo L-R: Romina Calabro (Museums Victoria), Minister for Creative Industries Colin Brooks MP, Robbie Williams, Caroline Pitcher (VicScreen CEO), Deputy Premier Ben Carroll MP, Better Man producers Paul Currie and Craig McMahon, and Edwina Waddy (Roadshow Films). 📸 Photo credit: Daniel Mahon.