Trish McDonald Advisory Services
Providing advice and services to museums and other cultural organisations related to:
  • Cultural infrastructure planning, delivery and operationalisation; and
  • Content development and production. 

SERVICES

Planning

Strategic planning
Project visioning
Stakeholder engagement
Business case development
Workforce planning
Procurement planning
Operational planning

Project Management

Scoping and specifications
Budget development and management
Scheduling and resourcing
Procurement and contract management
Risk and issues management
Benefits realisation and operationalisation
Quality assurance

Content and Experiences

Interpretation and collection planning
Visitor journey and experience mapping
Design and fabrication brief development
Exhibition design management and delivery
Multimedia development and delivery
Public art commissioning and delivery
Programming strategy and projects

Trish McDonald

Trish has over 25 years’ experience working in natural, social and cultural heritage museums, with a strong grounding in all aspects of museum operations. Most recently she has been instrumental in the planning and delivery of several museum developments.

In 2022-23 she worked with Museums of History NSW (formerly Sydney Living Museums) planning a new museum at the Parramatta Female Factory and Institutions Precinct.

From 2009-2021 Trish led a large team of staff, consultants and contractors reimagining the WA Museum's flagship Perth site as part of the the $AUD400M New Museum Project. It opened on time and on budget as the WA Museum Boola Bardip in November 2020. It has won awards for its innovative design and construction, its extensive community engagement process involving over 50,000 Western Australians, and its beautiful, fascinating and interactive exhibitions.

Trish has significant experience working within a government context reporting to, and participating in, intergovernmental committees and collaborating with local, national and international design consultants and fabrication/production contractors. She understands the value of collaboration to deliver innovative and cost-effective solutions.  

Trish is an alumnus of the highly competitive Museum Leadership Program, has PRINCE2 project management certification, a Graduate Diploma in Education from the University of Western Sydney and a Bachelor of Science (Hons) from the University of New South Wales. She has been a member of the International Council of Museums since 2004 and has presented at conferences locally, nationally and internationally.