Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
22/07/2026 9:56 PM AWST

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Work with cultural material

Work with cultural material

Unit of competency
National Code
CULCNM404A
State Code
D9395
TGA Status
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Current Release Number
1.00
Current Release Date
20/12/2011
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
08/03/2012
Field of Education
091303 - Curatorial Studies
Original Release Date
08/03/2012
Nominal Hours
20
Description
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to comply with cultural and consultative requirements for sourcing, handling, interpreting and exhibiting cultural materials.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Source cultural material
  • 1.1 Identify and locate cultural material that may be appropriate for exhibition or display
  • 1.2 Confirm traditional ownership of cultural material and consult with appropriate communities
  • 1.3 Consult with community groups to determine suitable holding for materials not authorised for general exhibition
  • 1.4 Negotiate permission and advice for the use of cultural material according to cultural protocols
  • 1.5 Complete records and agreements according to cultural and organisational protocols
2. Handle cultural material
  • 2.1 Describe, move, store, maintain and return cultural material according to cultural requirements
  • 2.2 Note aspects of objects that need repair or attention and take action within scope of own job role or refer to relevant personnel as required
  • 2.3 Communicate specific cultural requirements to colleagues
3. Prepare cultural material for exhibition
  • 3.1 Consult with community to determine culturally appropriate approaches to promotion, exhibition and display of material and limitations on mode of exhibit
  • 3.2 Develop culturally appropriate interpretive approaches
  • 3.3 Develop exhibition support materials that take account of cultural protocols
  • 3.4 Communicate requirements for exhibition of cultural material to colleagues
The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Cultural material is defined as objects, collections, artworks, specimens, structures or sites, and includes:
archaeological material
books and manuscripts
built heritage
cultural sites and buildings
ethnographic material
film and audiovisual material
flora and fauna
furniture
photographs
technological and industry items
textiles
works on paper and canvas.
Cultural protocolsmay relate to:
acknowledging participation and ownership
communicating about cultural material
displaying cultural material
handling cultural material
identifying appropriate people to be consulted
occasions when consultation is required
ways in which consultations should be conducted.
Protocols may relate to:
identification and representation of recipients or custodians
issues relating to the return of cultural material, such as how and where to return the material
local consultations and agreements on return of material
negotiation with current holders of material
return of human skeletal remains where a specific set of cultural consultations and requirements must be observed.
Cultural requirements may relate to:
access to material and associated research
storage of material
the way material should be transported
use of equipment or tools
who can describe or handle material
who can view material.
Limitations may relate to:
access issues, such as:
gender
secret, sacred material
consultation with and involvement of appropriate community members
descriptive or explanatory writing
fragility of material
identification process
interpretation method.
Interpretive approaches may relate to:
community wishes for the way material should be interpreted
consultation with and involvement of appropriate community members
knowledge of existing collections.
Exhibition support materials may include:
advertising materials
approval and permissions
interpretive documents
merchandising
online information
photographs
publications.
Requirements for exhibition may relate to:
access restrictions
environmental requirements
placement of items within collections
restrictions on those able to interpret material for visitors
special handling requirements or restrictions.
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Evidence of the ability to:
apply knowledge of issues that frame the development of cultural protocols
consult effectively with relevant community representatives about the display of cultural material
observe cultural protocols and follow collection management practices when moving, storing, displaying and maintaining cultural material.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure:
access to:
cultural material or information on material when access is not available
information about cultural protocols
involvement in the assessment process of persons approved of by appropriate persons or custodians of the relevant community.
Method of assessment
A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:
direct questioning combined with review of portfolios of evidence and third-party workplace reports of on-the-job performance
evaluation of a project undertaken by the candidate to develop and exhibit cultural material following appropriate consultation that adheres to cultural protocols
evaluation of a project undertaken by the candidate to research and document the cultural significance of particular cultural materials
verbal or written questioning to assess knowledge of appropriate protocols and consultation processes.
Assessment methods should closely reflect workplace demands and the needs of particular client groups (consider the requirements of different age groups, clients with English as a second language, clients with disabilities, remote library users, etc.).
Guidance information for assessment
Any organisation or individual planning to train or assess this unit would be expected to know how to work with communities in a culturally appropriate manner and to identify processes for appropriate contact and establishment of reference groups with relevant ethnic groups. In particular, it is vital to ensure respectful integration of local cultural knowledge or protocols that would inform the implementation of the unit.
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:
CULEVP402A Design and develop interpretive displays.
Replaced By
State Code National Code Title Type
AWF56 CUACNM403 Work with cultural material Unit of competency
State Code National Code Title Type
D696 CUL40111 Certificate IV in Library, Information and Cultural Services Qualification