History & Culture
The History and Culture section is organised into three programs, which reflect where its collections and research strengths can most effectively contribute to an understanding of the history and culture of the Northern Territory and adjacent region:
Aboriginal Heritage
Includes research on Aboriginal Art and Material Culture collections, documenting the art and material culture of different Aboriginal groups within the Northern Territory and adjacent region, with a strong emphasis on contemporary art, dating from the 1970s, which reflects change and innovation through the adoption of new materials or techniques and prehistory through archaeology and the study of Rock Art in the Northern Territory.
Regional History
Maritime History and Archaeology including research on watercraft of Southeast Asia and Northern Australia, past and present maritime history, and investigation of historic shipwrecks; and Territory History, which is focused on the social history of the Northern Territory, significant events and institutions, heritage properties, and historical archaeology.
Art and Material Culture
Australian Visual Art and Craft includes collection of and research on works by significant Australian artists, sculptors printmakers and craft practitioners; works specifically related to the Northern Territory and neighbouring region; works by the best contemporary art and craft practitioners of the Northern Territory. Southeast Asian Art and Material Culture collection and research is strongly focused on Indonesian art and craft, particularly that of eastern Indonesia and Timor Leste.
Much of the research and collection activity of the History and Culture section is related to exhibition development and education programs as well as external requests for expertise.
Contact
Email: museum.magnt@nt.gov.au
