Hi Erica...you may want to really look hard at the definition of a
museum and how that has possibly changed over time.  The definition I
learned in Grad school is that they should be a collections-based
institution.  Otherwise they are simply an "Art Center", "Science
Center", "Living History Farm", etc.  As a Material Culture Historian by
training, (George Washington University MA, class of 1988), I am apalled
at the move away from an emphasis on objects within the museum
community.  That's not to say there aren't good things happening out
there, but collections are and should be our "raison d'etre".

VivianLea Stevens

Erica S. Maniez wrote:

> Hi, museum folk,
>
> I'm a museology master's student, and I'm writing my master's thesis
> on the
> shift away from object-based exhibits.  I've read an unsupported
> assertion
> that "hundreds of museums have been formed in the last five years that
> do
> not have collections."  Other than science centers and children's
> museums,
> I'm wondering what other museums are out there that do not own
> collections?
>
> One local example here in Washington is the Bellevue Art Museum, which
> just
> liquidated its colleciton in order to direct its resources towards art
>
> education, and will not operate more as an art center that exhibits
> traveling exhibits, or works on loan.
>
> Anything else come to mind? Respond direct or post to list; I'll check
> back.
>
> Thanks,
> Erica
>
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