Italiani di Sydney

Background I was commissioned to curate this exhibition by Museum of Sydney, a highly regarded institution among peers for its research-based exhibitions. The show was the second most successful in the history of the museum. Audience included Italians living in Sydney, museum audiences, academics interested in Italian Studies and Museum Studies, journalists, university and school students. It had a positive cultural and social benefit on several Italian community members (from the comments on the visitor books). It produced two publications: a catalogue (with my essay âItaliani di Sydneyâ) and an Italian language and culture education kit for L.O.T.E. Italian language students. The Museum of Sydney peer reviews exhibitions in different phases through its Exhibitions Advisory Committee and has specific KPIs, included in the final exhibition report: Attendance: 21.236 visitors; 4 different public programs; 1130 L.O.T.E. Italian Language Students; 137 Years 7-10 Food Technology Students; 25 media listings; 29 media reviews; 2 reviews in academic articles. Contribution I researched this exhibition over a period of three years, conducting ethnographies, archival research and over 100 interviews. I developed the overarching concept, narrative paths and microhistories. I sourced over 220 objects from private and public collection and collaborated in the design and installation of the exhibition. Significance This was the first and to date most comprehensive exhibition dedicated to Italian cultures in Sydney and it strengthened the knowledge and appreciation of this cultures. Conceived as a series of snapshots illustrating cultural diversity and richness drawn from historical, contemporary and everyday examples, it produced an innovative conceptualisation and installation design