So, where is queer? A critical geography of queer exhibitions in Australia

This paper interrogates the geography of queer exhibitions in museums and galleries in Australia. The analysis draws on data from Museums Australia’s database of queer exhibitions (1982-2005), which are cross-tabulated with geographical variables such as location, scale and state/territory population. The findings show an uneven geographical distribution of exhibitions, how geography also frames the themes of queer exhibitions, and an imbalanced geography, in which regional histories are few, national and state scale histories are prevalent, and minimal exhibitions occur outside metropolitan areas. This is problematic because queer identities, communities and histories vary across scales and between places. Appreciation of geography is thus useful for developing policies and practices that ensure the diversity of queer communities and histories is represented and communicated in exhibitions.