Fred,
I think your perceptions of academic museums are basically on target,
although the underlying reasons for the lack of status are complex. In the
process of starting a new museum (which is taking about three times longer
than I would like in the '90s) I have been working to forge a relationship
with a neighboring university. While the reaction of individual departments
have ranged from interested to "glad to be aware of it," the university
administration has been extremely cool.
The problems seem to stem from several areas. First, with the notable
exception of anthropologists and life sciences departments, many academics
(especially administrators) do not seem to know exactly what to DO with a
museum and its resources. The image of museums is still one of a "cabinet
of curiosities" suitable primarily as a repository for field specimens
after the all-important publication is generated. Concepts of how to teach
with artifacts seem to be very limited -- an ironic situation in a species
that is defined by its ability to make and use tools . . .
This is often compounded by ghost faculty who, in the best 19th century
tradition, hold joint appointments in academic departments and as
"curators" with the museum. The graduate school I matriculated from some 20
odd years ago had a list of probably 30 Ph.d.s from various departments on
its staff list. In my three years there I cannot remember having seen more
than three or four of them set foot in the museum. The appointments were
basically vita-stuffers and ways to juggle salaries. If they had actually
used the facility, their interaction would probably have been limited to
specimen storage and logistical support, -- not in developing exhibits,
outreach programs for the greater community and other functions. These
concepts, in all fairness were probably alien since few had any training in
museum administration, museum education, etc.
A tremendous problem is the lack of perception in many academic
institutions of what a museum can do for community interaction. Like NASA
having to justify its expense with Teflon and satellite t.v., universities
are having to show what they give back to their communities.
After forging a great relationship with a university at my last posting I
have attempted to do the same here and found little administrative
interest. Yet this same university has been moaning about how to become
more involved with the local community, how it could showcase its
achievements to the public, and how, as a relatively young institution, it
could make its bones. Arguments that a museum afiliation could be a focal
point for community interaction, that exhibits and programs could showcase
academic achievements and that a museum represents a certain status have
fallen on deaf ears. However, there has been a sterling effort to start a
football team and many grand statements about how it will showcase the
university. Can't wait to see that half time show featuring abstracts of
the latest history department publications.
I am well aware that there are several innovative university museums with
faculty grounded in museum administration. They have used their facilities
to serve as links to the local community. Adjunct curators are encouraged
not only to list their affiliations on their vitas, but to develop
exhibits and educational programs, incorporate museum collections and
resources into their courses and make themselves accessible to the general
public -- aside from limited office hours. They also understand that the
term PUBLICATION can refer to an exhibit that might be seen by 30,000
persons in comparison with a journal article that might actually be read by
300.
As for donations, while computer centers, medical research centers and
other glitzy facilities may have sex appeal, many of them lack permanence.
A museum will be around long after the Mr. Gotrocks-sponsored Porcine 2000
computer subsystem will have been displatched to the obsolete parts bin.
Immortality is one of the few things museums can convey (at least stable
museums).
Don't give up on academic museums. The challenge is to show what a museum
can do for community interaction and to prove how we can showcase
achievements the next time they want to compete for that grant. And to
convey to academics that museum exhibits can be as valid as journal
articles. It also doesn't hurt to talk about such decidedly non-academic
subjects as economic contribution, tourism value, etc.
Byron A. Johnson, Exec. Dir.
The Tampa Bay History Center
[log in to unmask]
|
