Thank you Neil, for your thoughtful response -- my feelings exactly. I
need to clarify, though, that the 'academic contingency' has a lot of
power in our situation, as we are a 'university museum'.
I think it is necessary for museums in the current political and economic
climate to re-examine our approach to exhibitions and even our
definition of art. What is the difference between 'high' art and 'low'
art? Should art be an esoteric experience? What is our roll in 'educating'
the public? I think the concept of a museum shop that plays an active
part in this discussion is fascinating and crucial. The shop is
potentially the strongest connection between the museum and its public.



On Wed, 22 May 1996, Neil J. Parry wrote:

>         In Mark Erik Nielson's proposal to combine "some of [the museum's]
> decorative art pieces" within the giftshop, he said the response was cool
> for fear of it would rub the academic contingent the wrong way. However,
> even my limited experience has taught me that the larger percentage of
> museum goers are not necessariliy of the "academic contingent". Granted, to
> sell decorative ARTifacts in the giftshop would offend many, but to display
> parts of a collection in places where they have not traditionally been
> displayed--providing, as in Mr. Neilson's case, they are safe--is simply
> innovative. Most museums suffer from space constraints relative to the size
> of their collections; they also face the difficulty of attracting local
> visitors who feel they've already seen the extent of the collection, when in
> fact they haven't.  The more exhibit space, the more the visitor gets to
> see. Secondly, museums are suffering from low revenues. So why not attract
> more people to the gift shop as well as the museum? Give them something
> different. Who knows, maybe looking at a 19th century artifact in the
> giftshop will influence a visitor to buy a twentieth century souvenier. The
> integrity of the artifact is no more lost than if it were in storage; it may
> even be strengthened. The academics are free to choose (or browse if they
> like).
>
>
>
>
>
> At 09:19 20/05/96 -0400, you wrote:
> >I would like to see responses to this question as well. Our museum is
> >currently examining the prospect of relocating and expanding our shop.
> >The shop is currently in an odd location and its too small, but we are a
> >small museum with no extra space, and we have obligations to expand certain
> >exhibition areas. One of my proposals had to do with combining some of
> >our decorative arts pieces within the shop environment. Although they could
> >have been installed safely, the response was cool, because some felt that
> >it would rub the academic contingent the wrong way. What do you think????
> >
> Neil J. Parry
> Student of Museum Management and Curatorship Programme
> Sir Sandford Fleming College, Peterborough, Ontario
> [log in to unmask]
>