1. Bianaca BrammerAnthropology 377“Ball State University”April 11, 2010 Brammer

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

19. Any Questions? Brammer