Development and maintenance of outstanding permanent, temporary and travelling exhibitions.

1.4.1 Permanent exhibitions to be maintained and refreshed, as required, educating Australians on the Australian experience of war​

Target: Qualitative and quantitative survey data shows evidence of strong visitor understanding of Australia’s experience of war

Analysis:​ Ninety six per cent of visitors said they included a permanent gallery as part of their visit. One hundred per cent of these visitors said they were satisfied with the permanent exhibitions, 87 per cent were very satisfied.

The overall satisfaction rating with a visit to the Memorial for 2019–20 was 100 per cent; 86 per cent were very satisfied.

Source: General Visitor Survey 2019–2020

1.4.2 Temporary and touring exhibitions to further tell stories of Australian experience of war that are additional to and expand upon the Permanent Exhibitions

Target: ​ Delivery of special exhibition The Courage for Peace and feedback from host venues for touring exhibitions demonstrates community engagement with Memorial exhibitions

Analysis:​ The Memorial featured two special exhibitions this financial year:

After the War opened as part of the Centenary of Armistice program and closed on 15 September 2019. An exit survey was conducted providing the following results:

• 60 per cent of visitors said they learned something new
• 89 per cent said the exhibition gave them a better understanding of the Australian experience of war
• 93 per cent said the exhibition gave them a realistic insight into the impacts of war on Australian servicemen and servicewomen

The Courage for Peace opened to the public on 18 October 2019 and closed on 25 May 2020. A visitor exit survey was conducted and provided the following results:

• 71 per cent of visitors found this exhibition exceeded their expectations
• 92 per cent of respondents said the exhibition gave them a better understanding of the subject
• 92 per cent of respondents said the exhibition gave them a realistic insight into the impacts on Australian servicemen and servicewomen

The Memorial’s touring exhibitions this financial year were postponed during the second half of the year due to COVID-19. Exhibitions included:

Reality in Flames toured three locations nationally, with an estimated visitation of 6,806.

• Blue Mountains Cultural Centre (NSW), SAMSTAG Museum of Art (SA) and the Glasshouse, Port Macquarie (NSW)

For Country for Nation toured four locations nationally with a total visitation of 18,356.

• The Glasshouse, Port Macquarie (NSW), Tweed Regional Gallery, Murwillumbah (NSW), SAMSTAG Museum of Art (SA) and Araluen Arts Centre, Alice Springs (NT)
• Visitor feedback received by the host venue, Tweed Regional Gallery (NSW), showed that both the venue and its visitor’s valued this travelling exhibition, with a range of comments including:
  • "thought provoking and well laid out, with personal stories as well as artefacts” (Trip Advisor reviewer)
  • "this painting (the dance) make me immediately just cry just now, which was shocking and embarrassing as its never happened to be before" (Instagram reviewer)
  • "thank you for recognising our Indigenous diggers" (on site reviewer)

Reality in Flames and For Country for Nation were both on display at the SAMSTAG Museum of Art in Adelaide during July 2019. Visitor feedback received at this location showed that those exiting these exhibitions were all satisfied, most very satisfied, and two-thirds thought their expectations were exceeded::

• "It is a very important and challenging look at these events, true historic accounts of the war … We had not realised the contribution made by contemporary artists to the preservation of these historic events." Female, South Australia
• “A good variety of works showing a good cross section of artistic styles and wartime experiences.” Male visitor, South Australia

Hearts and Minds toured three locations in Victoria and Queensland, with a total visitation of 1,963.

• Whitehorse Artspace (VIC), Wangaratta Art Gallery (VIC) and Redcliffe Museum (QLD)

Source: The Courage for Peace and After the War special exhibitions visitor exit surveys, Touring Exhibition host venue report and Australian War Memorial statistical data and attendance records.