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.
Purpose
The Australian Queer Archives (AQuA) has a number of items on temporary display in the reading room at the Victorian Pride Centre (VPC). The selection of items on display at any given time aims to showcase the collection’s diversity, our shared histories, current and completed projects volunteers and members of the community have been involved with, and merchandise available for purchase.
This document outlines the policy regarding displaying items within AQuA’s reading room and exhibition spaces in the VPC.
Who is viewing items on display
Reading room
Items on display are viewable to members of the public, volunteers, researchers, and AQuA staff and committee members when in the reading room, and also to the general public from the mezzanine level of the VPC.
VPC Exhibition space
AQuA regularly contributes items to the VPC exhibition space, for temporary exhibition in the entrance and lobby of the VPC building. Items on display are viewable to all visitors to the VPC.
Considerations
AQuA takes the following consideration into account when selecting items for display.
Environmental
The environment of the VPC and the reading room is temperature controlled for human comfort, however consideration must be paid to factors such as humidity and light (both artificial and natural). Works on paper such as photographs and newspapers are especially vulnerable to environmental changes and will not be displayed for longer than three months.
Emergencies
Items on display are vulnerable to disasters and emergencies such as fire, evacuation and theft. Emergencies such as fire (inclusive of flames, heat, and smoke), water damage, theft, and other potential harmful factors are taken into consideration when selecting items for display.
Project / event / time of year
AQuA aims to create displays in various spaces such as the reading room for certain events or times of year to highlight what is already in the collection, as well as what has been newly accessioned.
Duration
The duration an item should remain on display is determined largely by the fragility of the item. An assessment of the condition of the item is undertaken each time an item is prepared for and removed from display.
Minors
Certain items within AQuA’s collection are not be suitable for people under the age of 18 to view. This may include, but is not limited to, sexually explicit material, material related to suicide or self-harm, material which depicts violence or drug use, and material which uses strong language.
Whilst most visitors to AQuA are over the age of 18, AQuA interacts with people under the age of 18 in formal (school trips, youth trips) and informal (open days) events. AQuA does not place items that are not suitable for viewing by under 18s on prominent display. If items are not suitable for people under the age of 18 form part of a display, AQuA staff are aware of the items and they will be temporarily removed or covered should minors be visiting AQuA spaces.
Curation
Currently, there are display shelves and cases within AQuA’s reading room and the broader VPC. These displays are primarily curated by AQuA committee members and volunteers and aim to represent different elements of the collection. When required, AQuA collaborates with people with lived experience and subject matter experts on the use of proposed display items, including the purpose and context of the display. Proposed themes and items for display can be submitted to AQuA which will then be reviewed by committee.
Displays are also accompanied by object labels, and, where appropriate/relevant, extended text describing the significance of the display/item. These texts are written using accessible language and with a general audience in mind.
Display Planning
All displays in the reading room are planned and documented by establishing a list of primary works for display and secondary works for primary works requiring changeover during the display period. When planning a display, the above considerations are taken into account.
Working with other institutions
AQuA regularly works with other institutions to loan collection items for off-site exhibitions and displays. In each circumstance, AQuA assesses the risks of loaning items to institutions, e.g., the condition of the item, moving the item, different environmental display conditions. Where possible and appropriate, AQuA works with the donor of items to ensure appropriate donations considerations and acknowledgments are met
