Nan,

Following are some thoughts and considerations.  Of course, they are heavily based upon proper preservation.

1) When in a mall, one exits the front door of one store and enters the front door of an adjacent store.  I have never seen a connecting door in the middle between two stores.  While this may or may not be viewed as convenient, it is a security risk and reduces the useable wall space in both rooms.   Is there adequate staffing to police the additional entry/exit point?   If not, who pays for the additional expenses?

2) Are both spaces on the same environmental control system?  Are both environments controlled to the same specifications?  An open door will prevent differing specifications, and disallow each space to be individually controlled.  This is true for dust filtration as well.

3) Are objects in both spaces equally evaluated and inspected for pests, mold or other problems before they are allowed to enter the spaces?  If not, problems can migrate from one room to the other.

4) Are policies for food and drink the same in both spaces?  If not, increased risks of attracting pests could result in the more controlled space.

5) Are there light control issues that could result in greater light damage if the door was present and open?

I am sure that there are many more issues, but these are my initial thoughts.  I hope they help!

Marc

American Conservation Consortium, Ltd.
     4 Rockville Road
     Broad Brook, CT 06016
     www.conservator.com 
     860-386-6058 
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Curtis, Nan 
  To: [log in to unmask] 
  Sent: Thursday, February 23, 2012 1:01 PM
  Subject: [MUSEUM-L] door between museums


  I have a strange predicament and seek assistance/information from the listserv



  The Forsyth Center Galleries is a collecting art gallery housed in the student union at Texas A&M University.  Our funding is exclusively from an endoment -- we recieve no funding from the univesity -- yet we are administrated by the student union, and I, the director of the museum, report to the student union director.



  In addition to the Forsyth, there is a student program committee that coordinates exhibitions on their own.



  The student union is nearing the end of a renovation project and the Forsyth exhibition spaces are now adjacent to a small gallery to be operated by the student program.



  The student union director has insisted that there be a door between the Forsyth exhibition space and the student gallery, which must be open (not only unlocked, but open) at all times.  "I don't see the sense of people having to walk out of one gallery in order to enter another"  and "There needs to be a unified art presence in the union."



  I am seeking feedback regarding the benefits/detriments of this scenario.  I have a number of arguments of my own, yet have indicated to the student union director that I would seek out objective data from peers.



  Please do take a moment to respond, either on or off list.  I greatly appreciate all input.



  Nan Curtis

  Director

  Forsyth Center Galleries

  Texas A&M University

  979 845 9251

  [log in to unmask]



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