Stacey,

re: your question regarding books detailing roles of women in museums, I
would try the following if they haven't already been suggested:

-"Civilizing Rituals: Inside Public Art Museums." by Carol Duncan,
Routledge Press 1995. (This book is more about the ideological constructs
of art museums, particularly focusing on how they construe sexula and
social identity. Contains a chapter entitled "The Modern Art Museum: Its
a Man's World")

-"Women's Culture: American Philanthropy and Art, 1830-1930" by Kathleen
McCarthy, Univ of Chicago Press, 1991. (Historic overview of the role
women played in the establishment and development of a variety of US museums)

Also, depending on the viewpoint you take (or are looking for), the Nat'l
Museum of Women in the Arts may or may not be a good resource. I do not
claim to be an expert on the issue, but an associate of mine who is a
feminist art historian has mentioned on numerous occasions that that
institution is notorious among feminist artists/art historians as
espousing homophobic viewpoints in regards to its collections. Perhaps
someone more qualified than myself could shed light on whether this is
documentable fact or simply hearsay.

Best of luck in your lit search.

Dennis Kois
Graduate Program in Museum Studies
New York University
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