Explore our Online Collections
Want to see it all? You can explore our collections online to your heart’s content, and even leave comments letting us know what you like or what you know more about than we do!
Donating to the Collection
We’re always grateful to people who donate their own treasured objects to our collections.
If you have something you would like to offer, please email [email protected].
Include as much detail as you can! This helps staff to assess whether the object is right for the collection:
- A description/list of the object(s)
- Photographs of the object(s)
- A summary of the history or significance of the object(s), such as who used it, and when
- The name and contact details of the current legal owner of the object(s)
- The current location of the object(s).
Please do not send us objects in the mail, or bring the objects to the museum without contacting us first. Staff are unable to accept material that has not completed the donation offer process.
All donation offers are assessed by our staff, and successful donations involve a transfer of ownership to the museum. The assessment process includes reviewing the history and significance of the items on offer, comparing similar material in our existing collections, and working closely with the donor throughout. This means it can take some time to complete!
Our collection policies provide a guide on what we do and don’t collect. And you can always get in touch first to ask us if you’re not sure.
Finally, we also can’t accept everything. There may be occasions where a donation is declined because the object:
- Is duplicated within existing collections
- Is badly damaged
- Does not have clear provenance and history
- Cannot be properly displayed, stored, conserved or cared for within the museum’s resources
- Is offered with conditions (for example, that is must always be displayed)
- Does not fit within the museum’s collection policies.
Some donors may be eligible to apply for the Australian Government’s Cultural Gifts Program, once the donation is completed. This program provides tax incentives to encourage gifts of culturally significant items from private collections to public art galleries, museums, libraries and archives. Please note that our staff are unable to provide advice as to whether donors would be successful in their application. For more information, please visit the Cultural Gifts Program website here.
Access & Research
Access to the heritage collections held at the MCG is governed by the MCC Heritage Collections Access Policy.
Download the MCC Heritage Collections Access Policy
Researchers who wish to undertake research projects using the collections are required to complete a Research Request Form before they are able to access collection material. Once the MCC Heritage Collections Research Request Form is submitted, staff will investigate the collection and determine if any material of interest is held, including checking access conditions. They will endeavor to respond within two weeks.
Download the MCC Heritage Collections Research Request Form
If you have seen an image of collection material that you would be interested in using for a research project, publication or for personal use, please complete an Image Request Form. Once submitted, staff will check our digital library and be in contact within two weeks.
Download the MCC Heritage Collections Image Request Form
Please email all completed forms to [email protected].
Any physical access to the collection material is by appointment only.
Appointments may be scheduled between 10.00am – 4.00pm, Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, subject to MCG match day requirements and will take place in the MCC Library. Please email [email protected] to make an appointment.