Since 1990, Carolyn Laffan has worked in a variety of roles at the Australian Performing Arts Collection at Arts Centre Melbourne – the country’s largest and most important collection of performing arts history and tradition now home to over 660,000 items relating to circus, dance, music, opera and theatre. Laffan is now the Senior Curator of the Australian Music Vault. As a researcher and exhibition curator, she is interested in using technology to broaden and deepen community engagement with collections especially within communities not seen as traditional museum-goers.
The Australian Music Vault, developed by Arts Centre Melbourne in consultation with the music industry, is a celebration of the Australian contemporary music story – past, present and future. It’s a place to explore your love of music, revisit some of the big music moments of your life and discover the exciting new stories of today’s Australian music scene.
The Australian Music Vault features a free, immersive exhibition showcasing Australian music, innovative digital participatory experiences and iconic objects from our Australian Performing Arts Collection. There’s also be an ongoing calendar of performances, programs and events presented at Arts Centre Melbourne and via outreach to communities across Victoria. Australian Music Vault Patrons are legendary music industry figures Kylie Minogue, Tina Arena, Ian “Molly” Meldrum, Archie Roach and Michael Gudinski.