Castlemaine Art Museum

Dja Dja Wurrung

Womindjika Woorineen willam bit
Willam Dja Dja Wurrung Balug
Wokuk mung gole-bo-turoi
talkoop mooroopook

Welcome to our homeland,
home of the Dja Dja Wurrung people
we offer you people good spirit.

Uncle Rick Nelson

Castlemaine Art Museum is located in the foothills of Leanganook. The Jaara people of the Dja Dja Wurrung are the Custodians of the land and waters on which we live and work; country graced by box ironbark forests and granite boulders, grasslands and flowing waters supporting a variety of wildlife which we must all care for, honour and value. Jaara culture is ancient, living and dynamic with a powerful connection to this country dating back tens of thousands of years. We pay our respects to the Elders past, present and emerging. We extend these same sentiments to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander First Nations peoples.

James Henry, Uncle Rick Nelson at Forest Creek, Dja Dja Wurrung Country, 2021.

History

Founded in 1913, the Castlemaine Art Museum has a unique collection of Australian art, First Nations cultural material and historical artefacts reflecting the early history of the region.

Located on Dja Dja Wurrung Country in the foothills of Leanganook, Castlemaine Art Museum (CAM) is a leading regional institution in the sphere of bold curation, bringing art and objects from the past and present into multilayered conversations, creating a dynamic, inclusive platform for new voices, community connections, reflections and ideas.

Founded in 1913 through community subscription and located within a heritage-listed art deco building since 1931, CAM houses a nationally significant and unique collection of Australian artworks, including important First Nations cultural material from across Australia and a collection of historical artefacts reflecting the early history of the region. Its permanent art collection is recognised as one of the most important in regional Victoria, with strong emphasis on traditional landscape painting and works by women artists. CAM’s holdings of Tonal Realism paintings are of national significance.

CAM is committed to providing professional exhibition and development opportunities for local artists across Central Victoria. CAM brings together artists and communities of this region and beyond, creating a lively arts institution of national relevance.

Castlemaine Art Museum (CAM) is a company limited by guarantee and is administered in the public interest to collect, preserve and display works of art, to present their history and background and provide community enrichment. CAM’s directors are a combination of directors elected by CAM’s members and directors appointed by the Board. Private trustees own the building and the collection which CAM administers. State and local government support is provided, and the gallery has a strong tradition of support from benefactors, local families, artists and patrons.

Official opening of Gallery and Museum Building by Lord Somers, Governor of Victoria, on 18th April 1931.

Purpose and Vision

Purpose

Connecting people through art, history, place and ideas.

Vision

Castlemaine Art Museum will be Australia’s leading regional art museum in the sphere of bold curation that brings art and objects from the past and present into multi-layered conversations; creating a dynamic platform for First Nations and contemporary voices, community connections, reflections and ideas.

Read our Strategic Plan.

Staff

Naomi Cass, Director

Sarina Meuleman, General Manager

Anna Schwann, Front of House

Sarah Frazer, Front of House

Jennifer Long, Consultant, Honorary Curator

Deb Peart, Honorary Conservator

Staff Profiles

Unknown Photographer, Employees of O Gilpin, Drapery, Iron Mongery, Mostyn Street c1933-34, black and white photograph.

Board & Trustees

Castlemaine Art Museum is directed by a Board of Directors with expertise and experience across sectors. The building and the collections housed at CAM are held in trust by the Trustees of the Castlemaine Art Gallery and Historical Museum Foundation.

Board
Helen Symon KC (Chairperson)
Mark Sheppard (Deputy Chairperson)
Kieren Naish (Hon. Secretary)
Sarah Liversidge (Hon. Treasurer)
Tiriki Onus
Jane Amanda Jean
Melinda Harper
Simeon Kronenberg

Trustees
George Milford (Trustee)
William Maltby (Trustee)
Emma Busowsky (Trustee)

Independent Committee Members
Judy Annear
Dr Rhett D’Costa
Dr Lyndell Green
Jennifer Long
Linda Sproul
Kaye Swanton

Board and Trustee Profiles

Committee of the Castlemaine Progress Association who organised Castlemaine Past and Present Exhibition and who helped establish the Castlemaine Art Gallery and Historical Museum.