The University of Sydney has received a $15 million donation from Chinese Australian entrepreneur Dr Chau Chak Wing to establish a new museum on campus covering 6,000 square metres.
Dr Wing said this “heartfelt contribution” aims to do justice to some of the university’s earliest collections of cultural, archaeological and scientific artefacts.
The university owns more than 700,000 objects, however, most treasures of the Macleay, Nicholson and University Art Gallery collections are not currently displayed because of limited space.
“Many [of the objects] have been in storage for most of their lives, as we’ve really lacked the infrastructure to show them in the best light,” said David Ellis, director of museums at the University of Sydney.
“So, some of our earliest collections date back to the very beginnings of the university in the 1850s.
“In fact, some were in private collections well before that time, so, for many, it will be the first time they’ll be displayed to the public.”
The new museum will include antiquities from Greece, Cyprus, Italy and Asia, along with a more extensive Egyptian collection of insects and jewellery, Japanese woodcuts and a broad range of Australian art.
“Museums are an important part of city cultural life,” said Dr Chau in a statement, adding that the donation was directed at developing the Australia-China friendship.
“It is a common aspiration of people all over the world to promote cultural heritage, and it’s our responsibility to ensure it is passed on to future generations.”
The donation will also enable the university to redevelop and connect the Macleay and adjacent Edgeworth David buildings by 2018, when the museum is expected to open with free admission.
One of the new features Dr Wing aims to introduce to both students and the general public is specially-equipped study rooms “where students can actually use, handle, [and] interrogate objects, the cultural heritage”, in a hands-on and controlled environment.