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Work on the new Western Australian Museum has surged ahead during the COVID-19 pandemic, providing local jobs for people in creative and construction industries during tough economic times.

Construction workers, museum staff and local specialists employed in a range of industries and across a range of activities have continued to work on fit-out and exhibition installation, with physical distancing, enhanced hygiene and safe work practices maintained.

The eight permanent display galleries within the new Museum are taking shape with exhibitions under construction, and objects from the state collection starting to be put in place.

More than 30 local companies have been employed to deliver multi-media, films, graphics, audio tracks and interactive experiences, as well as special installations to augment the thousands of objects and stories to be shared in the new Museum.

The Black Swan State Theatre Company of WA, and graphic designer and illustrator Emma Mann, are just two of the local creatives contracted to work on the project.

Black Swan is building props, mechanical interactive experiences and sets to give visitors a different perspective from which to experience Western Australia’s unique stories. One of those displays includes a nearly life-sized model of a giant wrecking ball that was used to clear land in the Wheatbelt in the 1950s.

The $400 million Western Australian Government-funded redevelopment has created 3,300 jobs over the life of the project.

Commenting on the project’s impact, Western Australian Culture and Arts Minister, David Templeman stated “at a time when the culture and the arts sector and, in particular, performing arts venues have been dark, it has been fantastic to be able to tap into companies like Black Swan and people like graphic artist Emma Mann, to use their creative experience.

"The New Museum is on track to open in November and will provide a much-anticipated cultural sensation for Western Australians, as well as helping to boost our local economy."

Images: Architects Hassell + OMA's design for the new Western Australian Museum. Courtesy of Hassell + OMA.

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