Communications Planning for Volunteer-run Museums
About
My name is Maryke Benadé and I am passionate about storytelling within museums.
These are places where stories from the past, different cultures and people can create connections and help us better understand the world and each other.
I am a creative and strategic communications specialist with over nine years of digital communications experience in public healthcare, cultural heritage, retail, and event venues sectors.
I am excited to learn more about other cultures and histories and what role representation and intersectional storytelling play within a museum setting.
My Museum Journey so far...
I was introduced to the museum sector while working as the Communications Assistant at the Te Whakairinga Mutu Air Force Museum of New Zealand. This role offered me the opportunity to learn about all the different facets of a museum and further instilled in me a passion for social history.
I worked and volunteered at Waitaki Museum & Archive Te Whare Taoka ō Waitaki, where I enjoyed learning more about their collection and regional museum operations as a Cultural Facilities Administration Officer and Museum Volunteer.
Education and Memberships
I graduated from the University of Otago in 2008 with a Bachelor of Arts degree, majoring in Communication Studies with a double minor in Marketing Management and Film and Media Studies. I am discovering more about the Māori worldview through the New Zealand Certificate in Tikanga (Mātauranga Māori) Level 3 I completed in 2023 and continued self-directed learning.
As a self-proclaimed 'life learner' and 'museum nerd', I stay up to date with the latest developments in communication strategy through continued learning. I connect with the culture and heritage community by attending conferences, workshops and professional development opportunities as a member of the Climate Heritage Network.
I was part of a project team that created 'Wāhine Toa: Women in Defence', while working at the Air Force of New Zealand. The online exhibition explores the journeys of women serving in the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) since gender integration in 1977. It launched on 19 September 2018 as part of the Suffrage 125 celebrations.
My role in the team was Video Editor and Online Exhibition Designer. The team presented 'Wahine Toa: Women in Defence' - collaborating and curating online for Suffrage 125' at the the National Digital Forum in 2019.
Developed and implemented a communication plan for the international travelling exhibition during December 2018 - January 2019 at the Air Force Museum of New Zealand.
I created this Facebook post while employed as Communications Assistant by the Air Force Museum of New Zealand. It was a great opportunity for me to take a topic I was unfamiliar with and create content that was relatable, engaging and informative. It had great engagement with followers.
‘Let Me Be Myself’ – The Life Story Of Anne Frank
Developed and implemented a communication plan for the international travelling exhibition "Let me be myself": The life story of Anne Frank in 2018 and 2020.
I worked as communication lead in collaboration with the Holocaust Centre of New Zealand while working at the Air Force Museum of New Zealand.
I produced a short video with a team while working as Communications Assistant at the Air Force Museum, featuring the Air Force Museum's Collections Manager Darren Hammond and Aircraft Technician Corporal Tim De Roo taking viewers through the process of closing the Bristol Freighter's doors.