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Heather L. Robinson

Adjunct associate, Flinders University

Heather Robinson is a creative producer with experience across the Australian GLAM sector. She specialises in the cultivation of connections and ideas, creating opportunities for knowledge exchange and new cultural realities.

Robinson completed a PhD at Flinders University in 2020, as part of the Laboratory Adelaide Project, exploring the impact of creative industries policy on cultural institutions and their communities, presenting a case study of the State Library of South Australia.

From 2015-2020 she was a Board member of Adelaide Festival of Ideas Association Inc., presenting the 2013 and 2016 festivals as Executive Producer.

Her early career in Melbourne began in heritage collections and events management with the National Trust of Australia (VIC), membership and events with the National Gallery Society of Victoria and later as Program Coordinator for the Australian Centre for Youth Literature at the State Library of Victoria.

After delivering the Anne Frank Australian Exhibition to six locations across Australia in 2000-2001, Robinson relocated to Perth as the Visual Arts Manager for the 2003 Perth International Arts Festival. She also worked for the Holmes a Court Gallery, the Western Australian Museum, Lotterywest, Museum Victoria and the Victorian Department of Education and Early Childhood Development.

Robinson is an Honorary Research Associate for the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County in support of her biography of silent Hollywood actress and much-loved Melbourne philanthropist, Claire Adams Mackinnon. In 2012, this work was shortlisted for the inaugural Hazel Rowley Literary Fellowship for unpublished Australian biography.

Robinson has a BA (Hons.) in Fine Art and Film History as well as a Graduate Diploma in Museum Studies from the University of Melbourne.

Experience

  • 2010–present
    Hon Research Associate, History Dept, Los Angeles Natural History Museum

Education

  • 2020 
    Flinders University, PhD
  • 1993 
    University of Melbourne, Graduate Diploma, Museum Studies
  • 1992 
    University of Melbourne, Bachelor of Arts (Hons) Fine Art and Film Theory

Publications

  • 2019
    What’s the Story? Credible Narrative in the Evaluation of Arts and Culture, Journal of Arts Management Law and Society, August 2019, DOI: 10.1080/10632921.2019.1646176
  • 2015
    When a Good Girl Goes to War: Claire Adams Mackinnon and Her Service During World War 1, Refractory

Professional Memberships

  • Fellow, Royal Society of South Australia
  • Board of Directors, Adelaide Festival of Ideas Inc.