About
The Islamic Museum of Australia is a not-for-profit foundation founded in May 2010 with the purpose of establishing the first Islamic Museum in Australia. It aims to showcase the rich artistic heritage and historical contributions of Muslims in Australia and abroad through the display of various artworks and historical artefacts. This will be the first centre of its kind in Australia and will showcase a diverse range of Islamic arts including architecture, calligraphy, paintings, glass, ceramics and textiles. Islamic arts date back to the 7th century with the advent of Islam, and include the different artistic styles and cultural influences of various empires that came under Islamic rule, such as Spanish and Persian influences. The Museum also aims to promote new and established Islamic artists, both local and international. The effort to establish this purpose-built Islamic Museum is geared towards sharing the artistic and historical achievements of Muslims internationally, and more importantly, in Australia. It will also provide unique cross-cultural and educational services offering fascinating insights into the Muslim Australian experience for visitors and school groups. The IMA will look to continue the proud tradition that Australia, and namely the State of Victoria, have lead in becoming the Multicultural Hub of the world. This is through working with communities, cultures, faiths and developing centres to educate.
Our collection
Islamic Museum of Australia collection (2010)
This collection is in an early stage of development and will be housed in a new building being constructed in Thornbury (as at 2012) by the Islamic Museum of Australia (IMA), a not-for-profit foundation founded in May 2010 . The collection aims to document and showcase the rich artistic heritage and historical contributions of Muslims in Australia and abroad. The collection will include original artworks, calligraphy, textiles, mosaics and other crafts sourced from around the Muslim world, spanning the rich art and architecture of the following influential Muslim civilisations: Ummayad (Syria), Andalusian (Spain), Mughal (India), Fatimid (Egypt), Saffavid (Persia) and Ottoman (Turkey). The collection will also include cultural and social history artefacts documenting the experience and contributions of Muslims in Australia.
Themes: Connecting Victorians by transport and communications, Building towns, cities and the garden state, Building community life, Shaping cultural and creative life
