The museums in Bathurst - the Australian Fossil and Mineral Museum, Bathurst Rail Museum, Chifley Home and Education Centre, and the National Motor Racing Museum - are operated by Bathurst Regional Council at a significant cost.

In an effort to make these cultural facilities more sustainable, museums manager Janelle Middleton said that Museums Bathurst is looking for sponsors to make a financial contribution.

"The museums are very important for the Bathurst community. Council supports the museums financially and we have income from the museum shops, but we're looking further than that, we're looking at sustainability into the future and sponsorships are a part of that," she said.

The Museums Bathurst brand was launched in early 2020, prior to the start of the pandemic, and it was intended to start the sponsorships under that new name which brought all the city's museums together.

READ MORE: Museums Bathurst is the new way to manage cultural facilities

Ms Middleton said sponsors have already been found for the rail museum, they being Bathurst Broadcasters, Bathurst Real Estate, Bowman Dental, Raine and Horne and Rydges.

"We want to look at that model across the rest of the museums," she said.

Sponsors can be businesses of any size or individuals.

"Individuals, if they want to, they can. We are also looking at bequeaths and gifts as well," Ms Middleton said.

While businesses and individuals can be sponsors of facilities in general, there will also be opportunities to sponsor individual events.

An example of this is the current call for sponsors from the Bathurst Rail Museum for an express train service to the Rydal Daffodil Festival.

The festival will be held in September.

Ms Middleton said Museums Bathurst is "taking it very professionally" in its approach to sponsorships, drawing inspiration from successful programs that other organisations have created.

Anyone interested in becoming a sponsor can get in contact with Museums Bathurst by emailing museums@bathurst.nsw.gov.au or calling 6333 6543.

Ms Middleton said the museums attracted in excess of 100,000 visitors in the last financial year and are a valued part of the city for both residents and visitors.

READ ALSO: Latest visitation numbers for museums prove promotion is working

"It's a great thing for Bathurst. It gets people into Bathurst and spending money," she said.

"... It's really important that we as a community support the museums so they can continue to provide that high-quality attraction."

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can access our trusted content: