The contents of a public contemporary art gallery are very different to that
of a museum, and I for one do not want my potential visitors confused
thinking they may find "dead things" of the past, when we specialise only in
the vibrant art of contemporary and recent human culture. It would be false
advertising to do so.

Whilst it is clear that there are many similarities between us, and that is
why I subscribe to this list, there are also many differences.

I do not understand the need to classify Galleries with Museums,
particularly since those that  most ardently support the conflation of the
two categories are often Museum professionals skilled in the nuances of
classification.

There are huge differences in intent, in methodology and in contents of a
Museum and an Art Gallery, and our visitors know the difference even if ICOM
does not.

I always thought that Museum people were keen to incorporate Galleries under
the Museum umbrella so they could finally get some access to the funding
that was, and still is, directed to Galleries .

This debate is an old one, but most are still called Galleries in
Australia...what's in a name? Many thousands of excited visitors .


Alan Sisley
Director
Orange Regional Gallery
PO Box 35, Orange, NSW, 2800
02 63615136 phone
02 63615100 fax
http://www.org.nsw.gov.au
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