This document provides an overview of museum work and practices. It discusses the functions and purposes of museums, including their educational role. It also covers topics such as museum terminology, history, organization, collection practices, care of collections, interpretation, visitors, and careers. The key points are that museums aim to educate the public, focus on their audiences is important, and gaining experience is valuable for pursuing a career in this field.
This Presentation is prepared for Graduate Students. A presentation consisting of basic information regarding the topic. Students are advised to get more information from recommended books and articles. This presentation is only for students and purely for academic purposes. The pictures/Maps included in the presentation are taken/copied from the internet. The presenter is thankful to them and herewith courtesy is given to all. This presentation is only for academic purposes.
This Presentation is prepared for Graduate Students. A presentation consisting of basic information regarding the topic. Students are advised to get more information from recommended books and articles. This presentation is only for students and purely for academic purposes. The pictures/Maps included in the presentation are taken/copied from the internet. The presenter is thankful to them and herewith courtesy is given to all. This presentation is only for academic purposes.
The Natural History of Unicorns: Museums, Libraries, and Technology Collabora...Martin Kalfatovic
Presentation for American Society of Information Science and Technology /The Catholic University of America, School of Library and Information Science Student Chapter. April 25, 2003. Washington, DC.
Speaker: Dr Suzanne Keene, Reader Emeritus in Museum Studies, UCL
With the recent National media interest, it is more important than ever that museums
can put their stored collections to work and make them accessible to the visiting
public. Building on the Collections for People research, this seminar will look at
practical ways of making stored collections more accessible.
As a way of experiencing the Humanities beyond your classroom, c.docxwraythallchan
As a way of experiencing the Humanities beyond your classroom, computer, and textbook, you are asked to attend a “cultural event” and report on your experience. This assignment requires the following:
Submit your cultural event choice to the instructor for approval before the end of Week 5.
Visit a museum or gallery exhibition of modern art before the end of Week 9.
Write a report of the visit.
Summarize the report in a PowerPoint presentation.
**Please be sure to use a gallery or museum from Columbia SC**
Write a three to four (3-4) page paper (750-1,000 words) in which you:
Identify the date visited, location, name, and background of the museum or specific exhibition. (If virtual, identify the Website along with the other information.)
Describe three (3) works, noting the artist, title, subject, and the time period of each work.
Compare the style, influences, and meaning or intent of each piece, highlighting any changes (if any) from the first to last piece.
Explain your reasons for selecting the pieces in a discussion of the reasons for the artist’s popularity and / or impact on the art world.
Summarize the main points of three (3) works discussed in your paper in a PowerPoint presentation of at least three (3) slides. Each of the slides should have three to four (3-4) short bullet points and notes about the works in the slide notes section. Include a cover page for the PowerPoint. Add the slides with notes to your paper.
Include four (4) references that help support your claims. (The text may be used as one (1) reference.)
Visiting a Museum
It makes sense to approach a museum the way a seasoned traveler approaches visiting a city for the first time. Find out what is available to see. In the museum, find out what sort of exhibitions are currently housed in the museum and start with the exhibits that interest you. If there is a travelling exhibition, it’s always a good idea to see it while you have the chance. Then, if you have time, you can look at other things in the museum.
Make notes as you go through the museum and accept any handouts or pamphlets that the museum provides free. While you should not quote anything from the printed material when you do your report, the handouts may help to refresh your memory later.
The quality of your experience is not measured by the amount of time you spend in the galleries or the number of works of art that you actually see. The most rewarding experiences can come from finding three (3) pieces of art or exhibits that intrigue you and then considering those works in leisurely contemplation. Most museums even have benches where you can sit and study a particular piece.
If you are having a difficult time deciding which pieces to write about, ask yourself these questions: (1) If the museum you are visiting suddenly caught fire, which three (3) pieces of art or exhibits would you most want to see saved from the fire? (2) Why would you choose those two (2) particular pieces?
.
Ideal Museum Proposal: The American Museum of Wonder and Curiosity Cabinets W...Kate Marcus
Using the Guggenheim Helsinki proposal as a case study, I created a proposal for an imaginary museum called The American Museum of Wonder and Curiosity Cabinets. The written component includes the following sections:
• Introduction to The American Museum of Wonder and Curiosity Cabinets
• Location Rationale
• Mission Statement
• Members of the Board of Directors
• Building Program
• Exhibition Plans
• Permanent Collection
• Special Exhibitions
Presentation to American Precision Museum Board of Advisors, August 2013. Technology museums have a long history, and each era creates a museum that is useful to it. As museums change "from being about something to being for someone," how does the American Precision Museum carry out its mission?
Visit a museum or gallery exhibition or attend a theater or musi.docxdavieec5f
Visit a museum or gallery exhibition or attend a theater or musical performance before the end of Week 10. The activity (museum or performance) should have content that fits our course well. Have fun doing this.
Write a two to three (2-3) page report (500-750 words) that describes your experience.
Clearly identify the event location, date attended, the attendees, and your initial reaction upon arriving at the event.
Provide specific information and a description of at least two (2)
pieces
(e.g., art, exhibits, music, etc.).
Provide a summary of the event and describe your overall reaction after attending the event.
Use at least the class text as a reference (additional sources are fine, not necessary unless required by your content). Your report should include connections you make between things observed in your activity and things learned in the course and text.
Note:
Submit your cultural activity choice to the instructor for approval before the end of Week 5 (earlier is even better). Look for guidance from the instructor for how or where to make your proposal. You may also seek advice from your instructor (provide your town/state or zip code) for a good activity in your general area.
Visiting a Museum
It makes sense to approach a museum the way a seasoned traveler approaches visiting a city for the first time. Find out what there is available to see. In the museum, find out what sort of exhibitions are currently housed in the museum and start with the exhibits that interest you.
If there is a travelling exhibition, it’s always a good idea to see it while you have the chance. Then, if you have time, you can look at other things in the museum.
Every effort should be made ahead of time to identify a museum that has items and works one can easily connect to our HUM 111 class and book. Since HUM 111 covers from ancient times to the 1500s AD, it makes more sense to focus on items from that time frame. In general, museums with artistic cultural artifacts and fine arts work better than history museums.
Any questions about whether a museum-visit activity fits the course and assignment well enough will be decided by the instructor when the student seeks approval for the activity. Any alternative activity outside the normal ones listed here, such as for those limited by disability or distance, will be determined by the instructor. Generally, we do not expect students to travel over an hour to get to an approved activity.
Take notes as you go through the museum and accept any handouts or pamphlets that the museum staff gives you. While you should not quote anything from the printed material when you do your report, the handouts may help to refresh your memory later.
The quality of your experience is not measured by the amount of time you spend in the galleries or the number of works of art that you actually see. The most rewarding experiences can come from finding two (2) or three (3) pieces of art or exhibits which intrigue you and then consi.
The Natural History of Unicorns: Museums, Libraries, and Technology Collabora...Martin Kalfatovic
Presentation for American Society of Information Science and Technology /The Catholic University of America, School of Library and Information Science Student Chapter. April 25, 2003. Washington, DC.
Speaker: Dr Suzanne Keene, Reader Emeritus in Museum Studies, UCL
With the recent National media interest, it is more important than ever that museums
can put their stored collections to work and make them accessible to the visiting
public. Building on the Collections for People research, this seminar will look at
practical ways of making stored collections more accessible.
As a way of experiencing the Humanities beyond your classroom, c.docxwraythallchan
As a way of experiencing the Humanities beyond your classroom, computer, and textbook, you are asked to attend a “cultural event” and report on your experience. This assignment requires the following:
Submit your cultural event choice to the instructor for approval before the end of Week 5.
Visit a museum or gallery exhibition of modern art before the end of Week 9.
Write a report of the visit.
Summarize the report in a PowerPoint presentation.
**Please be sure to use a gallery or museum from Columbia SC**
Write a three to four (3-4) page paper (750-1,000 words) in which you:
Identify the date visited, location, name, and background of the museum or specific exhibition. (If virtual, identify the Website along with the other information.)
Describe three (3) works, noting the artist, title, subject, and the time period of each work.
Compare the style, influences, and meaning or intent of each piece, highlighting any changes (if any) from the first to last piece.
Explain your reasons for selecting the pieces in a discussion of the reasons for the artist’s popularity and / or impact on the art world.
Summarize the main points of three (3) works discussed in your paper in a PowerPoint presentation of at least three (3) slides. Each of the slides should have three to four (3-4) short bullet points and notes about the works in the slide notes section. Include a cover page for the PowerPoint. Add the slides with notes to your paper.
Include four (4) references that help support your claims. (The text may be used as one (1) reference.)
Visiting a Museum
It makes sense to approach a museum the way a seasoned traveler approaches visiting a city for the first time. Find out what is available to see. In the museum, find out what sort of exhibitions are currently housed in the museum and start with the exhibits that interest you. If there is a travelling exhibition, it’s always a good idea to see it while you have the chance. Then, if you have time, you can look at other things in the museum.
Make notes as you go through the museum and accept any handouts or pamphlets that the museum provides free. While you should not quote anything from the printed material when you do your report, the handouts may help to refresh your memory later.
The quality of your experience is not measured by the amount of time you spend in the galleries or the number of works of art that you actually see. The most rewarding experiences can come from finding three (3) pieces of art or exhibits that intrigue you and then considering those works in leisurely contemplation. Most museums even have benches where you can sit and study a particular piece.
If you are having a difficult time deciding which pieces to write about, ask yourself these questions: (1) If the museum you are visiting suddenly caught fire, which three (3) pieces of art or exhibits would you most want to see saved from the fire? (2) Why would you choose those two (2) particular pieces?
.
Ideal Museum Proposal: The American Museum of Wonder and Curiosity Cabinets W...Kate Marcus
Using the Guggenheim Helsinki proposal as a case study, I created a proposal for an imaginary museum called The American Museum of Wonder and Curiosity Cabinets. The written component includes the following sections:
• Introduction to The American Museum of Wonder and Curiosity Cabinets
• Location Rationale
• Mission Statement
• Members of the Board of Directors
• Building Program
• Exhibition Plans
• Permanent Collection
• Special Exhibitions
Presentation to American Precision Museum Board of Advisors, August 2013. Technology museums have a long history, and each era creates a museum that is useful to it. As museums change "from being about something to being for someone," how does the American Precision Museum carry out its mission?
Visit a museum or gallery exhibition or attend a theater or musi.docxdavieec5f
Visit a museum or gallery exhibition or attend a theater or musical performance before the end of Week 10. The activity (museum or performance) should have content that fits our course well. Have fun doing this.
Write a two to three (2-3) page report (500-750 words) that describes your experience.
Clearly identify the event location, date attended, the attendees, and your initial reaction upon arriving at the event.
Provide specific information and a description of at least two (2)
pieces
(e.g., art, exhibits, music, etc.).
Provide a summary of the event and describe your overall reaction after attending the event.
Use at least the class text as a reference (additional sources are fine, not necessary unless required by your content). Your report should include connections you make between things observed in your activity and things learned in the course and text.
Note:
Submit your cultural activity choice to the instructor for approval before the end of Week 5 (earlier is even better). Look for guidance from the instructor for how or where to make your proposal. You may also seek advice from your instructor (provide your town/state or zip code) for a good activity in your general area.
Visiting a Museum
It makes sense to approach a museum the way a seasoned traveler approaches visiting a city for the first time. Find out what there is available to see. In the museum, find out what sort of exhibitions are currently housed in the museum and start with the exhibits that interest you.
If there is a travelling exhibition, it’s always a good idea to see it while you have the chance. Then, if you have time, you can look at other things in the museum.
Every effort should be made ahead of time to identify a museum that has items and works one can easily connect to our HUM 111 class and book. Since HUM 111 covers from ancient times to the 1500s AD, it makes more sense to focus on items from that time frame. In general, museums with artistic cultural artifacts and fine arts work better than history museums.
Any questions about whether a museum-visit activity fits the course and assignment well enough will be decided by the instructor when the student seeks approval for the activity. Any alternative activity outside the normal ones listed here, such as for those limited by disability or distance, will be determined by the instructor. Generally, we do not expect students to travel over an hour to get to an approved activity.
Take notes as you go through the museum and accept any handouts or pamphlets that the museum staff gives you. While you should not quote anything from the printed material when you do your report, the handouts may help to refresh your memory later.
The quality of your experience is not measured by the amount of time you spend in the galleries or the number of works of art that you actually see. The most rewarding experiences can come from finding two (2) or three (3) pieces of art or exhibits which intrigue you and then consi.
2. Introduction to Museum WorkG. Ellis BurcawThe American Association for State and Local History: 1983209 pages Brammer
3. Introduction to Museum Work Written for the average student interested in museum work. Information on museum practices and operations. The most important function of a museum is its educational function and purpose. (pg. vii) Brammer
4. Museum Terminology Object: a material, three-dimensional thing of any kind Specimen: a representative member of a class of objects Artifact: an object produced or shaped by human workmanship or a natural object used by humans Collections: objects acquired and preserved because of their potential value as examples Accession: acquiring one or more objects from one source Cataloguing: assigning an object to one or more categories Display: the showing of objects, depending on the viewer (pg. 3-5) Brammer
5. What Is A Museum? A building or space within a building significant chiefly for preservation and/or exhibition of collections An institution for the safekeeping of objects and for the interpretation of these objects through research and exhibition An institution for the preservation of those objects which best illustrate the phenomena of nature and the works of man A permanent establishment, administered for the purpose of preserving, studying, and enhancing (pg. 9) Brammer
6. The History of Museums Museums were perpetuated by the desire to accumulate objects and the desire to show them to other people The first museums created were not open to the public The World Fair’s created a need for museums Objects and exhibits from these fairs had to be housed somewhere The American Museum of Natural History, Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Boston Museum of Fine Arts were all created from the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia (pg. 20) Brammer
7. Museum Practices The American Association of Museums is the professional organization of museums and museum employees Principles of Good Exhibit Practice The exhibit must first attract the visitor’s interest It must inspire confidence in the exhibitor and in what they have to say or offer Having gained the visitor’s confidence, the exhibit must re-ward them by showing something seriously worth seeing and by enabling them to understand what the creator sees It must do this in a pleasing way and in good taste (pg. 24,26) Brammer
8. Categorizing Museums A museum is characterized mainly by the kinds of objects it collects Art Museums- art plays on the senses by the selection, ordering, and arrangement of that which will produce sensation Fine Art, Applied Art, Folk Art Science Museums- Technology/Science Industry or Natural History Museums History Museums- objects must be collected to serve the purpose of public education (pg. 31-33) Brammer
9. Museum Organization Regardless of who owns the museum it should have a board of trustees to whom the director reports Director- chief administrative officer of a museum; hires and fires and is in direct charge of operation Trustees- responsibility limited to matters of board policy and of ensuring the adequate financing of the museum Curator- in charge of a museum collection Volunteers- essential for museum operation due to their time, effort, and affordability (pg. 37,39) Brammer
10. Collecting Theory Only the museum if founded on the principle that selecting and preserving objects is of importance to people today and in the future Museums cannot collect all objects that exist, collecting must be selective Collecting Theory: Geography- with what physical area will the museum be concerned? Subject- what is the museum concerned with? Time- what time frame will your museum be limited to? (pg. 47-49) Brammer
11. What To Collect Items to eliminate: Lie outside the defined scope of the museum Are not significant and which cannot be used for research, exhibition, or loan Are so badly damaged or deteriorated that they are of little or no use Would accomplish more good in another museum Are duplicated many times (pg. 62) Brammer
12. Care And Security Of Collections Storerooms must be provided and the collections must be organized and accessible Objects on public view may be less than ½ of the total collections Space required: 40% collections, 40% exhibits, 20% everything else (hallways, information center, etc.) Security involves the care of collections, insurance against severe financial loss, and physical security (pg. 93,98) Brammer
13. Museum Interpretation An exhibit should be designed so as to produce a particular result The exhibit must possess these seven qualities: Safety and security Visibility Eye catching Good looking Attention grabbing Worthwhile Good (pg. 118) Brammer
14. Interpretation Cont. Objects alone, without explanation, organization, and selection—would not support the educational aim of the modern museum Interpretation is a communication between the museum staff and the public, if the public does not walk away with a greater understanding of the exhibit; the museum staff has not done their job (pg. 135) Brammer
15. Museum Visitors Keeping the visitor in mind, exhibits can be classified as aesthetic, entertaining, systematic, ecological, permanent, or temporary Every museum worker needs to understand the basic techniques of good exhibit production, as well as knowing the needs and behavior of the museum visitor The museum worker is required to see each exhibit from multiple sides, the side of the curator and the side of the visitor (pg. 115-116) Brammer
16. Starting A Career In Museum Work Museum training: College and university courses for credit Correspondence study On-the-job practical training Short-term workshops and seminars Professional meetings Scholarships, fellowships, and internships Vocational training And more (pg. vii) Brammer
17. Museum Professions A museum worker, especially one in a decision-making position, must be or become a professional AAM bulletins regularly list position opening Begin by volunteering and work your way up through the museum professions The student or beginner should be willing to take a job that is not exactly what he/she wants for the rest of their life You must feel that your work in a museum is of great importance (pg. viii, 184,186) Brammer
18. Applied Information Limiting your exhibit to a specific geographical, time, and subject matter will make your museum more professional and organized You cannot collect everything A career in museum work involves experience in the field and education Focus on the audience is of particular importance Specifically what they will find most meaningful Brammer