Museum Site Visit
Due Sunday November 24
The Museum Collection’s department is responsible for overseeing the care of the artifacts and archival material in the collection. When items are put on exhibit there are stringent guidelines that the Collections Department must think through to protect the collection items from damaging elements and theft. When items are selected for exhibit the Collection Manager and or Registrar will look at the items requested, determine if they are in good condition, require conservation treatment, if special mounts, cases or security devices are necessary, what lighting, temperature and humidity controls are necessary, does the object require other equipment for display (media based artwork), should a reproduction be displayed instead, what signage is needed for the objects.
Assignment
Visit any Museum of your choice. Take a look at the artifacts (and archival material) on exhibit and think through some of the following questions as well as your own insight into the preservation of the artifacts on exhibit.
Do you notice how the temperature/humidity/lighting in the space is controlled?
Are the objects well protected from visitors (housed in vitrines, behind roped off areas, matted and framed?)
Does the exhibit seem as though it’s being maintained?
Is there good security in the exhibit space? Do the artifacts seem well protected?
In addition to preservation concerns the items need to be interpreted and placed within the exhibit environment in a meaningful way. From the Curatorial perspective look at the artifacts in this exhibit and think through the following questions.
Are the subsections of the exhibit grouped well together?
How readable are the text panels?
Does the exhibit seem targeted toward a specific age group?
Does the exhibit rely on your reading a lot of label text?
What sort of colors and lighting were used in the exhibit?
Does the exhibit rely mostly on original material or reproductions and hands on activities?
Post your comments on the exhibit and your evaluation in the discussion forum for June 25. The forum will also be available the week before so everyone can read your review and comment.
Free at all times
Tuesday–Thursday: 11:30 am–7:00 pm
Friday: 12:00 pm–7:30 pm
Saturday: 11:30 am–7:00 pm
Sunday: 12:00 pm–6:00 pm
Monday: Closed
Free at all times
Pay What You Wish: Saturdays 5pm-8pm
Free Fri 4–8pm
Free all times
Thursday .................................................. 11:00 am – 6:00 pm
Friday ........................................................ 11:00 am – 8:00 pm
Saturday.................................................... 11:00 am – 6:00 pm
Sunday....................................................... 11:00 am – 6:00 pm
Thursday 6-9 pm (pay what you wish)
Free Fri 4–8pm
Free Fri 7–9pm
Free at all times
Rubin Museum of Art
Free Fri 6–10pm