Berndt Museum
Housed at The University of Western Australia, the Berndt Museum is an Indigenous-led institution that holds one of the most significant collections of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural material in the world.
Acknowledgement of Traditional Owners
The Berndt Museum acknowledges the Whadjuk Noongar people as the traditional owners of the land on which it is situated. The Whadjuk Noongar remain the spiritual and cultural custodians of their land, and continue to practice their languages, beliefs and knowledge.
About the Berndt Museum
In 2020 the Museum joined the University’s Indigenous Portfolio, recognising the need for Indigenous collections to be cared for by Indigenous people and adhere to cultural protocols. We recognise that for Indigenous people, objects and works of art can be living representations that hold cultural and spiritual significance.
The Museum cares for extensive collections of material culture and art, along with archives containing photographs, sound and film recordings, and a reference library. While the primary focus of the collection relates to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, it also extends globally to Melanesia and Southeast Asia, spanning regions like China, India, Japan, and Egypt.
The Museum cares for extensive collections of material culture and art, along with archives containing photographs, sound and film recordings, and a reference library. While the primary focus of the collection relates to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, it also extends globally to Melanesia and Southeast Asia, spanning regions like China, India, Japan, and Egypt.
Berndt Fieldnotes
The Berndt Fieldnotes are held by the Berndt Museum. After 30 years under embargo, the Museum is pleased to be working with Indigenous and descendant communities to access materials containing cultural knowledge.
Programs & exhibitions
The Museum produces exhibitions drawn from our collection and commissions new works that recontextualise our collection and archives in partnership with our venue partners. Learn more about current, upcoming and past programs and exhibitions.
Get in touch
Accessing the collection
To access our collection, please complete the Access Request Form. We recommend getting in touch at least 6–8 weeks in advance when organising a collection visit.
Contact information
Opening hours
Visits by appointment only
Phone
+61 8 6488 2854
Email
[email protected]
Address
Berndt Museum
Undercroft of Lawrence Wilson Art Gallery
The University of Western Australia
35 Stirling Highway (cnr Fairway)
Perth WA 6009
