Project Overview

“To foster long-term cultural understanding between Australia and China through shared storytelling, professional exchange, and public engagement.”

Bridging Cultures: Connecting Cultural Heritage Collecting Institutions in Australia and China is a pioneering collaborative initiative funded by the National Foundation for Australia-China Relations and hosted by ANU’s Centre for Heritage and Museum Studies. Led by Professor Mat Trinca and Associate Professor Yujie Zhu, the program brings together leaders, professionals and students across museums, galleries, libraries and archives to build enduring people to people and institutional partnerships between Australia and China. 

Through sectoral collaborations, professional exchanges and joint research initiatives, Bridging Cultures fosters sustained dialogue and deepens cultural understanding between the two countries. This kind of long term cooperation across the cultural heritage sector will strengthen institutional capabilities and create new pathways for collaboration. Reciprocal exchanges—taking the best of Australia to China and bringing the best of China to Australia—enrich cultural institutions in both countries while affirming the important place and ongoing contribution of Chinese Australians within Australia’s national story.

Critical challenges facing the cultural heritage sector such as climate change and digital transformation are a core focus of Bridging Cultures. Through dialogue, study and knowledge exchange, the program advances collective approaches to these global issues, which extend beyond national borders and are especially significant across the Indo Pacific region.

By building enduring connections, Bridging Cultures strengthens professional and student networks and deepens Australia’s understanding of the cultural landscape of mainland China. The program showcases Australian excellence in the cultural heritage sector while fostering lasting mutual understanding.