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Melbourne Museum of Printing BOOKS : : PRINTING : : RELATED INDUSTRIES |
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MMOP is a Heritage Charity, registered with the ACNC 59907193772 since 2012 |
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264 - 266 GEELONG ROAD, WEST FOOTSCRAY POSTAL: P.O. BOX 555, FOOTSCRAY 3011 | ||
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Find MMOP |
WHAT DRIVES MMOP?
Heritage, tangible and intangible
The crafts, technologies, working environments and business of printing and related industries.
From the invention of metal types, the hand-operated presses and hand binding of books, through so many great inventions (mostly since overtaken) to today's and tomorrow's technologies.
Education and Research
Provision of a range of hands-on experiences enables designers, artists, writers and editors, printers, typesetters, librarians and enthusiasts to better understand what their computer is trying to do. They experience what labours went into the production of books and other printed items in the past.
The "professional development" 8-hr workshop is popular. General audiences learn about past and present systems of printing in its wider sense. An academic one-semester unit has been suggested. The MMOP Archives will provide opportunities for research.
Art Production
After completing a hands-on workshop (or with other experience), some artists like to make use of the MMOP Access Studio to produce further hand-made printed items. These have included posters, social items, business items, and a few have produced substantial books, all by hand. Some items have been entered in competitions.
Community Service
The "Museum Service Program" has assisted universities, museums and galleries with training, supply of hard-to-get materials and spare parts. When adequately financed, this program will be offered more widely and will be offered below cost where appropriate.
EVERY YOUNG PERSON SEES PRINTING
The "Grade Six Experience" is planned to enable every child to attend the Museum and see the wide range of activities that are part of today's printing industry. If maintained over generations, this will result in the general population growing up with an understanding of the importance of these industries. Such a program could eventually be offered Australia-wide.
>> LOTS OF PICTURES right here!
each with its story and explanation.
<< The 13 thumbnails in the red box;
Just below the MINI-MENU, look for:
* SELECTION OF POPULAR LEAFLETS
* LETTERPRESS EXPLAINED
(Dozens of pix, taken to accompany an ABC Feature about MMOP).
| HOME PAGE | CONTACT | VISITING | PROGRAMS | COLLECTION | METAL TYPE |
_ DISASTER STRUCK 3 YEARS AGO !! IT WAS SHOCKING NEWS. HOW COULD THIS HAPPEN? The "General Admission Program" for casual visitation could not be reliably offered, or advertised, and only ran two days a week. It could never reach its potential without some regular staffing. ALTHOUGH A NUMBER OF INFLUENTIAL PEOPLE in industry and various authorities had sounded positive about funding, to stabilise the museum, it never happened. The funds would have covered the cost of recruiting and training a small team of full-time staff. In turn, that would have enabled MMOP to offer its services seven days a week, including an attractive "general admission" program.
Unfortunately, this lack of staff confined operations to "pilot mode" and led to getting a long way behind in the rental, until the Landlord felt that he could wait no longer. Sad to say, he locked out the Museum people and after some time, organised an auction whereby most metallic items were sold, many bought by scrap dealers. MMOP is grateful that some key items were bought by other museums, and some will be returned when MMOP re-starts!
O N E L A S T C H A N C E !
AFTER FORTY YEARS OF HARD WORK, and private outlay in the millions of dollars, MMOP was recognised as one of the world's comprehensive collections in its field. It included modern, old and ancient technologies of printing and related industries, with an emphasis on recreating the workplace environment, and documentation.
OVER ITS MOST PRODUCTIVE YEARS it attracted and served thousands of secondary and tertiary students (design and book related) with their teachers from many parts of Australia; hundreds of graphic designers wanting unique hands-on understanding, and dozens of productive artists and book printers, several from overseas. MMOP hosted events for a few other organisations, offering their clients a unique experience.
The realistic environment is probably what attracted at least a dozen film makers to use MMOP as a location (or for props) for episodes ranging from educational to crime-drama.
Likewise, the educational and professional programs, although successful, were limited for lack of human resources, and were insufficient to cover the fixed expenses.
Taking advantage of the Museum's great location, there is potential to bring hundreds of people per day to learn about printing, publishing, packaging and related crafts, and explore the region.
M.M.O.P. CAN RE-START AND REBUILD with new financial partners.
The landlord is willing to lease again, assuming solid finances.
The Covid19 disruption has made it harder to gain such support.
KEY ITEMS OF UNIQUE MACHINERY WILL BE RETURNED. MANY ITEMS ARE STORED IN OFF-SITE LOCATIONS, READY TO RETURN. FURTHER ITEMS HAVE BEEN OFFERED: OTHER NEEDED ITEMS ARE AVAILABLE. THOUSANDS OF IRREPLACEABLE ARCHIVAL ITEMS ARE STILL ON HAND.
The Re-started MMOP will allow visitors to see the incredible range of industries related to printing, represented by the many "industry organisations" that can add valuable detail to the Museum.
Many younger folk will gain insight into careers in our industries.
Please see our Rebuilding Page for details, options, the 3000 sq.m FLOOR PLAN, updates and a chain of links to various interesting pages and especially the REFEREES PAGE (letters from academics and leaders of museums and industry).
>> WHAT IF I BELIEVE THE MUSEUM IS IMPORTANT and wish it well, but I cannot offer significant financial support?
Many people of goodwill cannot offer the substantial funding that will re-start and rebuild the Museum. But your words of support will be seen by those who could help. "Why is the Museum important? And to whom?"
After learning all you can about the Museum, its history and its possibilities, please write a paragraph or more about its value to the various communities it can serve.
You could start by reading most of this website - be sure to read the words of our "referees". Also your own feedback will be appreciated if you attended MMOP during our pilot operation period.
Send your views or questions to rebuild@mmop.org.au
INCLUDE YOUR PHONE NUMBER and we can have a chat!
Heritage of Printing, Publishing, Packaging, PaperIndustrial Heritage - Business Heritage - Intangible Heritage
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