The Royal Australian Mint (the Mint) is excited to reveal its exclusive off-site exhibition for 2024 will be located at Canberra Museum and Gallery (CMAG).
The partnership between the Mint and the ACT Cultural Facilities Corporation (CFC) represents a significant milestone in the cultural landscape of Canberra by bringing together two institutions dedicated to preserving and promoting Australian history and creativity.
The exhibition and coin shop allows the opportunity to take Australia’s coin story into the city while the Mint’s Deakin gallery undergoes an extensive re-development.
With more than 360,000 visitors annually, the new inner city location and gift shop enables people to engage with the Mint’s varied history and buy a souvenir in a brand new setting.
Assistant Minister for Treasury Andrew Leigh said the Mint was a great Australian institution. “This exhibition will be a celebration of the important role the Mint has played in telling Australia’s stories through our coins. It’s an opportunity to see a different side of the Mint and access parts of their collection that aren’t usually public,” Dr Leigh said.
Royal Australian Mint CEO, Leigh Gordon, is looking forward to the exhibition opening in February 2024. “The exhibition will explore the ways change, in all its forms, has been a key part of the Mint story. “It enables us to tell new stories and display objects from the National Coin Collection that have never before been displayed at the Mint. “The exhibition aims to get people thinking about the social, technical, societal and personal changes that have occurred since decimalisation of Australia’s currency in 1966 and how the Mint has been a part of this history making transition. “Having a dedicated, offsite space also enables the Mint to continue to educate school children and general visitors, despite the main Mint building being closed for renovations,” Mr Gordon said.
The refurbishment project will elevate the cultural aspects of the Mint, improve visitor facilities, and create a more interactive and engaging experience for all patrons.
Cultural Facilities Corporation CEO, Gordon Ramsay, said the collaboration underscored the commitment of both institutions to deliver world-class cultural experiences to the people of Canberra and visitors alike.
“The CFC looks forward to welcoming many thousands of new visitors to Civic Square to explore this new way of engaging with the Mint, enjoying the excellent coffee and meals at the CMAG café, and taking in the CMAG exhibitions, including our award-winning Canberra/Kamberri – People & Place permanent Canberra story,” Mr Ramsay said.
ACT Minister for the Arts, Tara Cheyne MLA, praised the collaboration, saying the Mint’s temporary relocation to Civic Square was a great opportunity for visitors and locals alike to experience one of the Capital’s iconic national institutions in a convenient city-centre location.
“This innovative partnership contributes to Canberra: Australia’s Arts Capital – Arts, Culture and Creative Policy 2022-2026 by fostering cultural tourism opportunities for Canberra’s arts sector, and will contribute significantly to the cultural and educational landscape of our city,” Ms Cheyne said.
