The highly prized Publication Design Awards presented annually by Museums Australia challenge you to gain the recognition you deserve in 2004. Whatever your design field, entries are now invited from natural and social history museums, public art galleries, artists-run initiatives, historic houses, indigenous keeping places, libraries, interpretive centres, zoos and botanical gardens.The Museums Australia Publication Design Awards (MAPDA) are open to all organizations that hold collections of cultural material, present exhibitions or are involved in museum administration and institutions that teach courses relevant to museum practice whether or not you are MA members.

All entering institutions whether big or small, regional or city based share an equal chance of recognition as MAPDA entries are evaluated according to the entering organisation’s size.

Multiple award categories ensure that your entry will be eligible, and your speciality is recognised. Award classifications embrace excellence in exhibition and collection catalogues, newsletter and magazine originality, as well as innovation in book and corporate publication. There are also sections for outstanding multimedia published on CD and DVD or on a website in addition to accomplishments in traditional print from invitations, posters and calendars to promotional publications, media kits and educational material.

In keeping with this year’s MA conference theme an additional award named ‘Food for Thought’ is open to material published on food related topics including, cuisine, eating utensils or vessels, beverages, cafes, even plants and agriculture. In addition all nine category winners automatically qualify for the ultimate design accolade of ‘MAPDA Best in Show’.

Our expert design panel will select finalists that illustrate concept originality and design innovation, whether your entry is an elaborate collection catalogue to a single colour invitation card. Entry appraisal will examine design skill and layout structure, quality photography, illustration and typography. Judging will recognise each entry’s ability to illustrate relevance of purpose, its degree of usability and meaningful communication in addition to high technica production, the material use and presentation values.

Museums Australia’s Design Challenge is ‘Food for Thought!’ (continued)
In addition to Museums Australia’s patronage, the MAPDA awards are delighted to have the continuing support of Australia Post and the Gold Treasury Museum alongside the continued sponsorship of Sweet Design and Interactive Controls. Museums Australia are also pleased to announce that Mental Media, Craftsman Press and Spirit Publishing have joined as award category sponsors this year.

Yes, entries are open right now. As Ian Watts, the chairman of the MAPDA committee said, “We received over 600 outstanding entries last year; all jumping at the chance to wow the judges and achieve peer and industry talent recognition. We anticipate that our challenge will attract a similar high calibre response this year, all eager to win this prestigious honour!”

Entries remain open until 5pm on March 26, so grasp this opportunity now and mark Tuesday May 18 in your diary for the 2004 awards ceremony in Melbourne in conjunction with “Food for Thought Imagining a Sustainable Future” the National Museums Australia conference and exhibition.

So get involved, accept the Museums Australia challenge to see just how well you can do! Download the MAPDA application form and information from www.museumsaustralia.org.au today. For further information, contact the awards committee chairperson Ian Watts on (03) 9651 2233 or E-mail at iwatts@oldtreasurymuseum.org.au.

For additional information please contact: –

Katherine Wilkinson
Project Coordinator MAPDA
Telephone: 03 6208 5044
E-mail: katw@netscape.net.au

Museums Australia National Office
PO Box 266
Civic Square ACT 2608 Australia
Telephone: 02 62732437
Facsimile: 02 62732451
E-mail: ma@museumsaustralia.org.au