You might try pointing out the museum's financial liability should anything
happen to the items on display because a guest spilled drink or tracked
food. Accidents happen, after all.

Is there any place where food can be laid out that is not in one of the
galleries? If guests could eat and drink in a central lobby but leave all
cups, etc. behind when entering the ehibition space (post guards to ensure
compliance), that might make for a livable compromise. I have been in
museums that have done this, and it seems to work well.

******************
Astrida Schaeffer, Assistant Director
The Art Gallery
University of New Hampshire
Paul Creative Arts Center
30 College Road
Durham, NH 03824
(603) 862-3712
[log in to unmask]

******************



> -----Original Message-----
> From: English, Susan [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: Tuesday, June 18, 2002 12:50 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: EATING AND DRINKING IN THE GALLERIES
>
>
> My Gala Ball committee doesn't understand why I do not want
> to permit eating
> and drinking in the permanent and temporary galleries of our
> new museum
> opening this Fall.  I have told them that this is against
> museum standard
> practice and that if we allowed it, may hurt our chances for
> accreditation,
> Smithsonian affiliateship, and traveling exhibitions.  Their
> response to me
> is that if The Downtown Chicago Museums can do it, why can't we?
>
> Does anybody have any other suggestions as to how I can
> convince them that
> this is not the route to go.
>
> Susan English
> Joliet Area Historical Museum
>
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