Jessica - Curator of Collections

Jess decided to focus on collection management and built heritage orientated placements and is now a Curator of Collections at the New Zealand Police Museum

I was introduced to the art, culture and heritage sector by my mum, who took me on outings to our local art gallery, library, and museum when I was little. This fostered an appreciation for the power that culture holds and the personal connections people make with it. After completing a Bachelor of Architectural Studies and Postgraduate Diploma in Art History I sought out work in the GLAMs sector, which included several small volunteer projects and internships. After getting a feel for the industry I felt I needed a bridge between my academic background and the practical nature of the areas of work I was interested in, particularly collection management.

I enrolled in the Master of Museum and Heritage Studies (MMHS). The course offered an excellent overview of working in the GLAMs sector in Aotearoa. It brought together theory and practical application, introducing me to practitioners and mentors. I decided to focus on collection management and built heritage orientated placements. This included working with Conservation Architect Chris Cochran to visit and prepare a Conservation Report for the Brancepeth Stables and Coach House. I worked under the guidance of Georgia Morgan at The Dowse Art Museum, accessioning and nesting 22 ceramic works by John Parker, as well as everyday collection work. I returned to the NZ Police Museum and was guided by Casimar Larkin, working on part of their large format collection which included, panoramic photographs, posters, and maps.

After graduating I was offered a six-month contract as Collection Technician at the Southland Museum & Art Gallery Niho o te Taniwha which eventuated in a permanent position. After eighteen-months in Invercargill I moved back to Wellington to take up the position of Curator of Collections at the New Zealand Police Museum. The Museum and Heritage course was an excellent way to bring together my past study and prepare me for work in GLAMs. I met some exceptional mentors and studied alongside an amazing group of people, who now work across the sector and Aotearoa.