Collection Policy

The AQuA collection is held on the lands of the Yaluk-ut Weelam and Woi-wurrung peoples and represents the experiences of all those living on the continent currently referred to as ‘Australia’. AQuA’s operations are on the land of the Yaluk-ut Weelam Clan of the Boon Wurrung and by virtue of its location and contents, is connected to the Yaluk-ut Weelam peoples. We pay respect to Elders past and present and to all First Nations people across this land.

Statement of purpose

AQuA

AQuA collects and preserves materials and information relevant to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Gender Diverse, Sistergirl, Brotherboy, Intersex, and Queer (LGBTIQ+) people, organisations, and communities in Australia.

First Nations

AQuA collects items by, and representations of, LGBTIQ+ First Nations people from across Australia. We work with First Nations individuals and groups to better understand the artefacts in our care, cultural knowledges they contain, and how they can inform and enrich culture for all LGBTIQ+ people. We ensure items are collected, catalogued, accessed, and displayed in consultation with community leaders.

Collection policy

AQuA sees its role as strengthening LGBTIQ+ communities by collecting, protecting, and connecting our stories.

The purpose of this policy is to articulate the format and scope of items that comprise AQuA’s collection, and to outline the guiding principles for the development, preservation, access, and use of these materials. This Collection Policy is intentionally non-specific as what AQuA collects is ever evolving and this policy provides high-level guidance of this. See Access Agreement (link) for further information.

Collection policy principles

Informing the AQuA Collection Policy is the Collection Development Strategy. The Strategy provides staff and volunteers directional guidelines for activities relating to the collection. AQuA takes a principles-based approach to developing the collection, where it aims to be:

• Upholding the strategic priorities outlined in the Strategic Plan, 2026-2030
• Community led and ensuring the end of the acquisition process does not mark the end of the relationship with the donor
• Informed by our past histories to ensure we have a collective future
• Relevant and evolving to the needs of AQuA, the communities we work with and represent, and to the needs of the collection
• Ethical, legal, transparent, and sustainable in the work we undertake on the collection and with the individuals and organisations we work with to further the collection

Priorities

AQuA is currently drafting priorities to align with the 2026-2030 strategic plan. These will be finalised and this document updated in early 2026.

What we collect

AQuA collects a variety of material in physical and digital formats where authors or content are related to LGBTIQ+ movements and history within and/or associated with Australia. Some items may have multiple classifications. For more information on AQuA’s collecting priorities, see our Collection Development Strategy.

There are no geographic or date limitations to what is acquired by AQuA, however the collecting emphasis is on materials produced by, or in relation to, people or organisations who live or have lived in Australia.

AQuA collects the following formats:

Archives

AQuA collects archives, including personal papers and organisational records. This may include diaries, correspondence, administrative records, manuscripts, financial records, publicity records, formed collections, etc.

Artworks

AQuA collections artwork selectively. Our principal focus is on representative works, particularly portraits and worlds on paper. Some items – given format, size, materials, condition – may not be able to be collected by AQuA at this time. Where relevant, see ‘photography’, ‘posters’, and/or ‘textiles’ sections.

Audio

AQuA collects audio content, including compact cassette tapes, ¼” reels, microgroove recordings, CDs, digital recordings, etc. Principal focus is on event recordings, music, radio, DJ sets and mixtapes, podcasts, etc.

Audiovisual

AQuA collects audiovisual content, including VHS, beta-cam, U-matic, 8mm, 16mm, DVDs, and born-digital materials. Principal focus is on community television, home movies, and event footage.

Badges

AQuA collects badges, including ribbons, tags, pin-backs, buttons, etc. Principal focus is on activism, events, and membership for LGBTIQ+ and allied movements, e.g. unionism, women’s movements, etc.

Books

AQuA collects published and self-published books such as fiction, non-fiction, rare books, sheet music, and artist books.

Ephemera

AQuA collects a broad range of ephemera, including postcards, brochures, flyers, tickets, calendars, theatre programs, condom packets, matchbooks, menus, etc.

Objects

AQuA collects objects, including lanyards, trophies, crowns, games, medication bottles, etc. Principal focus is on promotional items and events.

Oral histories

AQuA collects oral histories, including those recorded by the Archives, as well as interviews and formed collections created externally. Material may take the form of audio recordings, transcripts, and associated documentation.

Periodicals

AQuA collects a range of periodicals including magazines, academic journals, newsletters, and zines in both physical and digital formats.

Photographs

AQuA collects digital, digitised, and analogue photographs (inclusive of negatives, prints, exhibition prints, etc), with content spanning both documentary and fine art photography.

Posters

AQuA collects posters, including broadsides, event posters, placards, and poster artwork. AQuA’s ability to collect some items may be impacted by format, size, materials and condition

Textiles

AQuA collects textiles, including banners, patches, t-shirts, uniforms, hats, costumes, etc.

Theses and unpublished papers

AQuA collects theses and unpublished papers, including honours, masters, and PhD theses, and grey literature.