The bureaucratic means would inevitably lead to 'an enquiry' and a 'report' and if there is no bureaucratic or political appetite this process might go on until such time as the status quo isn't threatened. Like, "if it ain't broken do not fix it"!
Alternatively, the Tasmanian Government might well be proactive and break with the apparent imperative to maintain the status quo and resist change in fear of change. The cultural anthropologist Margaret Mead's work led her to the observation that we should never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. In fact she went so far as to say, "it is the only thing that ever has.”
Step 1
Take expeditious actions and unambiguous steps towards differentiating between public musingplace's 'governance' statewide – policy determination and the purposeful determinations of the what and the why of that which shapes the institution – and management – the ‘how’ and the ‘means’ by which policy will be delivered. That is with 'governance' entrusted to 'State Govt. trusteeship' and 'management' assigned to a network of standalone trustworthy operations – statutory bodies, companies, incorporated organisations, institutions, et al
.
Step 2
Towards that end in the short term devolve ‘ownership cum custodianship’ of all 'public collections' to the custody of the Tasmanian State Government given that in 'lore' they belong to 'Tasmanians' rather than cohorts of people who coincidentally reside in particular places in jurisdiction that is not by necessity relevant. Moreover, in times of 'change' entities such as 'a council cum local governance' stands every chance of being ephemeral – council amalgamations, or reconfigurations, or even displacement.
Furthermore 'cultural collections' held by Local Govt. are important elements of Tasmania's & Australia's cultural property and 'cultural estate'. The purpose in taking this step is on one hand symbolic in that it would defuse assertions in one step that real change and 'accountable musingplace governance' is not actually an option or ever actually on the agenda in Local Govt. Elected representatives quite plainly, and typically, lack the kinds of experience required to be 'trustees' of cultural property – it is nor their purpose for being.
On the other hand, State GOVT. 'custodianship' would protect 'community cultural investments' in the collections and keep them available to research and researchers' operations, et al in future manifestation/s of Local Govt musingplaces in a circumstance of change and reconfiguration.
Step 3
Consistent with the above, the State Govt in consultation with Local Govt. as the perceived 'owners' of the collections, appoint a Commissioner or Commissioners to take on the role of COLLECTIONlutruwita Governorship/Trusteeship and over 2 (3?) years charged with the tasks of:
3/1. Putting place a transition budget that is:
- Based on the various collections' operation budgets for the past 2 years;
- Structured to differentiate between 'governance issues' and administration;
3/3. Transitioning COLLECTIONlutruwita away from a Local Govt. to various stand alone 'Community Cultural Enterprises' with:
- A 5 year Strategic Plans;
- An Enterprise Plan; plus
- An appropriate management structure to service the 'entity';
3/4. Establishing a collaborative/cooperative regional governance model focused upon access to COLLECTIONlutruwita in the broadest context and in ways that proactively interface with other musingplaces;
3/5. Lay the foundation for COLLECTIONlutruwita as a standalone ongoing 21st C community institution networked with regional, national and international musingplaces plus regional collectors and research organisations and that uses peer review processes to ensure rigour in program decision making.
Step 4
Establish MUSEUMStasmania and COLLECTIONlutruwita in their roles as the embodiment of lutruwitaTASMANIA's current 'cultural estate'. Consequent to that, initiate a ‘facilitated community conference or assembly’, supported by Internet participation and contributions, towards:
• Engaging lutruwitaTASMANIA's Community of Ownership & Interest in the evolution of MUSEUMStasmania and COLLECTIONlutruwita;
• Exploring options and opportunities open to MUSEUMStasmania and COLLECTIONlutruwita as a 21st C 'institution' with Tasmanian, national & international; standing;
• Identifying weaknesses and threats inherent in various potential future operational models relevant to MUSEUMStasmania and COLLECTIONlutruwita;
• Exploring the potential dimension/s
ofMUSEUMStasmania and COLLECTIONlutruwita as a 21st C musingplace network with regional, national and international musingplaces, organisations, community networks etc.
CONTEXT … CLICK HERE
THE WHAT IF FACTOR … CLICK HERE
21st CENTURY MUSING IN lutruwitaTASMANIA … CLICK HERE
SO WHAT NOW? … CLICK HERE
BY WHAT MEASURE SUSTAINABILITY … CLICK HERE
A STRUCTURE FOR COLLECTIONlutruwita … CLICK HERE
HOW MIGHT A COLLECTIONlutruwita COME TO BE … CLICK HERE
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