[18th November, 2014]
Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the Field of Arts and Culture between the Government of the Republic of India and the Government of Australia
The Government of the Republic of India and the Government of Australia herein referred to as the Participants,
Further to the Cultural Agreement between the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia and the Government of the Republic of India signed on 21 October 1971;
Further to the Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of Australia and the Government of the Republic of India on Cultural Exchanges signed on 17 May 1993;
Sharing a common desire to enhance cultural relations between Australia and India, deepen mutual understanding of their peoples, promote sound and sustainable artistic and cultural activities in both countries and to increase the capacity of Government in both countries to address issues of mutual interest in the field of culture;
Have reached the following understanding:
Paragraph 1 — Purpose
The purpose of this Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is to facilitate cooperation in relation to matters of art and culture that may be of mutual interest and benefit. The Participants will endeavour to work collaboratively in identifying appropriate measures and to foster the exchange of information, professional expertise, training and exhibitions in the field of culture.
Paragraph 2 — Participants
1. This MOU will be implemented for Australia by the Ministry for the Arts and for India by the Ministry of Culture, in each case acting on their own behalf and supporting activities of relevant national cultural institutions as described in Paragraph 4 below.
2. Should any successor agency succeed to relevant functions of either the Australian Ministry for the Arts or of the Indian Ministry of Culture, then such successor agency will become a Participant for the purposes of this MOU.
Paragraph 3 — Areas of Cooperation
1. In accordance with the prevailing domestic laws and regulations in force in their respective countries, and subject to available resources, and where mutually arranged and mutually beneficial, the Participants will work together to facilitate the conduct of activities in their areas of competence in Australia and India.
2. Any joint activities under this MOU will be the subject of individual negotiation and arrangement. Joint activities may be in areas including, but not limited to, cultural exchange, research and information sharing, collections management and preservation training, temporary loan of items and exhibitions for public display, literature, arts and cultural performances including music, theatre, festivals and dance.
3. The Participants will also encourage reciprocal visits, professional exchanges and cooperation across the diverse range of arts and cultural interests. Participants will facilitate cooperation, research and increased understanding of collections and artistic endeavours of mutual interest.
Paragraph 4 — Cooperation between Cultural Institutions
1. The Participants will endeavour to:
(a) facilitate the provision of technical support and expertise, including in areas of cultural policy, best practice and cultural heritage laws
(b) promote, broaden access to or disseminate artistic or cultural activities as appropriate
(c) encourage arts and cultural events, exhibitions and performances and the mobility of practitioners.
2. Specific activities are expected to occur between cultural institutions including museums, libraries, galleries, archives and related arts and cultural bodies under the supervision of the Australian Ministry for the Arts, and under the supervision of the Indian Ministry for Culture.
3. For the purpose of this MOU, Australian cultural institutions will include, but are not limited to, the:
(a) Australia Council
(b) Australian National Maritime Museum
(c) National Gallery of Australia
(d) National Library of Australia
(e) National Museum of Australia
(f) National Archives of Australia
(g) National Portrait Gallery of Australia
4. For the purpose of this MOU Indian cultural institutions will include, but are not limited to, the:
(a) Indian Council of Cultural Relations
(b) National Museum in Delhi
(c) Allahabad Museum, Allahabad
(d) Salar Jung Museum, Hyderabad
(e) Victoria Memorial Hall, Kolkata
(f) Indian Museum in Kolkata
(g) National Council of Science Museums, Kolkata h) Archaeological Survey of India
(i) National Library of India
(j) National Gallery of Modern Art
(k) National Archives of India
(l) Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya (Museum of Mankind), Bhopal
5. In addition to those cultural institutions under the supervision of the Australian Ministry of Arts and the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, endeavours will be made to also encourage collaboration at the state level and territory level under the framework of this MOU.
6. The Participants will promote the exchange of expertise and information between affiliated institutions and will assist in organising exchanges of cultural heritage exhibitions and support for activities. Specific activities are expected to occur between cultural institutions and may include the following:
(a) Festival of India in Australia in 2015-16 and a future showcasing of Australia in India building on the festival that occurred in 2012
(b) touring exhibitions or loans from Australian cultural institutions to Indian cultural institutions including exhibitions of significant Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural heritage
(c) touring exhibitions or loans from Indian cultural institutions to Australian cultural institutions including exhibitions of significant Indian cultural heritage
(d) professional development opportunities for staff at both Australian and Indian cultural institutions, specifically through a professional placements or staff exchange programs including in the areas of curatorship, conservation, archaeology, marine archaeology, archival research, collection management, and film preservation
(e) hosting of reciprocal delegations to foster mutual appreciation of the two countries and collaboration on knowledge and skill sharing
(f) collaboration and sharing of information between Participants and cultural institutions regarding the cultural heritage of Australia and India for research purposes, including archaeological and archive information, photographs and publications
(g) capacity building including the exchange of information and promotion of cooperation for the development of cultural facilities
(h) support for audience and market development opportunities, including the facilitation of delegations, such as for publishers and writers to attend festivals and explore further exchange opportunities through industry meetings in both countries
(i) providing support to foster activities and collaborative projects across all art forms including visual arts, community arts, dance, theatre, emerging and experimental arts, literature and music. This may include providing support for artists, musicians and arts organisations to present, exhibit and attend international festivals and significant events and to facilitate the delegations from each country to attend international festivals or events
(j) exchange of scientific exhibitions and artefacts
(k) sharing of techniques for development of exhibits for Science Museums
(l) collaboration for training of staff of Science Museums.
Paragraph 5 — Implementation
1. The Participants may engage in such consultations as they consider necessary in implementing this MOU.
2. To facilitate the implementation of this MOU, the Participants and participating cultural institutions may establish appropriate procedures, plans and agreements, including for particular programs and projects and their funding.
Paragraph 6 — Settlement of disputes
Any disputes between the Participants arising from the interpretation or implementation of this MOU will be settled through consultations and negotiations.
Paragraph 7 — Amendments
This MOU may be amended at any time by written consent of both Participants.
Paragraph 8 — Commencement and duration
1. This MOU will come into effect upon signature. It will remain in effect for a period of five years, and will be renewed automatically thereafter for successive periods of five years, unless either Participant gives the other six months’ written notice of its intention to terminate this MOU.
2. Any activities arising from this MOU which commenced prior to any termination of this MOU will, notwithstanding its termination, remain subject to its provisions until the completion of such activities.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned being duly authorised thereto, have signed the MOU.
DONE at Canberra on this 18th November, 2014 in two originals each in English and Hindi languages, both are equally authentic. In case any divergence in interpretation the English text shall prevail.
| FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF INDIA | FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF AUSTRALIA |
 |  |
| Anil Wadhwa | George Brandis |
| Secretary (East), Ministry of External Affairs | Attorney-General and Minister for the Arts |
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