Libby Newell Memorial Grant Program - MGNSW

Overview

The Libby Newell Memorial Grant Program supports exhibition development in volunteer-run museums. Established by friends and family of Libby Newell and administered by Museums & Galleries of NSW, this grant helps one volunteer museum in NSW develop their exhibition programs.

Key dates

• Applications open: Monday, July 27, 2026
• Applications close: Friday, 18 September 2026

Award

A total of $5,000 is available to one volunteer museum in NSW.

Eligibility

• Be incorporated or provide evidence of appropriate alternative governance structures (S355 Committee, Trust, Company limited by guarantee, Local government authority, etc.)
• Be not-for-profit
• Be an established museum with a physical collection (not an archive, library or historical society without a museum function)
• Be regularly open to the public at advertised times (not open by appointment only)
• Be a museum run entirely by volunteers with no paid staff
• Have a collection policy and include this in the application

Funded activities

• Exhibition planning and development
• Display cases and exhibition furniture
• Interpretive signage
• Exhibition fit-out and presentation
• Other costs directly related to developing a museum exhibition

How to apply

Begin your application by contacting the Sector Development Manager to request an application form. Staff are available to provide advice on writing grant applications, developing a project, budgeting, and sourcing appropriate consultants. First-time applicants and those unfamiliar with grant-writing are encouraged to get in contact for detailed and ongoing assistance.

Assessment and notification

Once your application is confirmed to be eligible, it will be assessed by the Volunteer Museum Grant Program Assessment Panel. M&G NSW will notify applicants of their outcome by phone call and/or email.

Terms and conditions

• All grants are awarded free of GST
• Awarded monies must be expended as per the approved application
• Any project variation must be reported to M&G NSW via email for approval
• Unused monies must be reported to M&G NSW and returned in the proper manner
• Successful applicants must provide an acquittal report
• The Libby Newell Memorial Grant and Museums & Galleries of NSW must be publicly acknowledged as supporting the project on all printed and electronic material, including publications, invitations, banners, and websites

Contact

• Emily Cullen, Sector Development Manager
• Phone: (02) 5663 2336
• Email: [email protected]
• Museums & Galleries of NSW, Level 1, The Arts Exchange, 10 Hickson Road, The Rocks NSW 2000