Lisa,

There are some issues with using music in a museum.

First - I am sure your director may think that you'll just get some CD's or
digital downloads and play them.

That would be a violation of copyright unless you have full written
permission and release from the owners of the copyrights.

Only if a song is in the public domain (usually over 80 yrs. since it's
creation or a traditional song older than 100 yrs.) is it available for
public use, and even then there are rights associated with the individual
performance and recording that exist.

A far better idea, to bring some life to the museum, is to host a regular
music / concert series with local / regional songwriters / musicians. That
would make it a separate event that could attract people into the
institution. Many museums large and small have performing arts programs
(The Getty here in LA has both music and theatrical programs). You still
need to make sure that any songs that are performed are written by the
performers or traditional. Any "covers" performed come under copyright and
it is the venue that is legally responsible rather than the artist.

If you check the Museum-L archives there has been a lot of discussion about
the use of music in museums as many museums large and small have received
letters from the major performing rights organizations (pro's) that collect
copyright and licensing fees for artists and music publishers - ASCAP and
BMI are the main ones who do this but there is also SEASAC as well.

I know all this because In addition to my work in conservation and
preservation I am also the Executive Director of an International
non-profit membership organization for songwriters and composers (
www.songsalive.org).

So the use of music in museums is not a straight-forward thing as it would
be for personal use at home.

Cheers!
Dave

David Harvey
Senior Conservator and Museum Consultant
Los Angeles CA

On Thu, Jan 5, 2012 at 9:46 AM, Lisa Chastain <
[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> Concerning the music in exhibits, our director has decided its just too
> quiet and wants to bring some ‘life’ inside. ****
>
> ** **
>
> Lisa****
>
> Curator****
>
> ** **
>
> *From:* Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] *On
> Behalf Of *Scher Thomae, Dawn
> *Sent:* Thursday, January 05, 2012 12:24 PM
> *To:* [log in to unmask]
> *Subject:* Re: [MUSEUM-L] Music in exhibits****
>
> ** **
>
> The Milwaukee Public Museum has had associated music in its African, Latin
> American, North American Indian, Pacific and Asian galleries since about
> 1964.  If it’s not too loud, our surveys have found that people enjoy it
> and some actually dance to the music, hum or tap their feet while in the
> galleries.  If tours are given in the area where music will be playing,
> however, there should be an easy system for it to be turned on, off or
> placed at low volume. If, however, the music has nothing to do with the
> exhibit, not sure what the point is since music is usually placed in
> exhibits to create a mood. Is this the director’s reasoning for adding
> music or is he concerned that its too quiet in the museum?****
>
> Dawn Scher Thomae****
>
> Milwaukee Public Museum****
>
> ** **
>
> *From:* Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] *On
> Behalf Of *Lisa Chastain
> *Sent:* Thursday, January 05, 2012 10:31 AM
> *To:* [log in to unmask]
> *Subject:* Music in exhibits****
>
> ** **
>
> Listers, ****
>
> ** **
>
> My director has put to me a request for ‘regional music’ in all of our
> exhibits. Now, as I curator I balked at the idea of breaking themes of my
> galleries with random music that has nothing to do with the exhibit ie. A
> military exhibit or a doctors exhibit. I was wondering of your opinions
> concerning music in galleries/exhibits, do you have music, have you
> rejected the idea and why? ****
>
> ** **
>
> Any opinions would be helpful!****
>
> ** **
>
> Thank you!****
>
> ** **
>
> Lisa ****
>
> Curator of Collections and Exhibits****
>
> ** **
>
> ** **
>
> ** **
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