The Smithsonian's Center for Museum Studies announces its final workshop
for 1996 series. Application deadline is July 19, 1996.
INTRODUCTION TO CARING FOR MUSEUM COLLECTIONS
September 16 - 20, 1996
Collections and their documentation form the core of a
museum's research and public education programs and activities.
Collections are the means by which communities provide visual
evidence of their heritage, explore perspectives, and come to new
understandings. But, unless museums address the serious
inadequacies in the care and management of collections for which
they are entrusted, the ability of future generations to continue
these functions is at risk.
Workshop Objectives
Participants can expect to:
| learn about the essential elements of a museum collections
policy and its role in the management of collections
| expand their knowledge of the role and responsibilities of
museums in the documentation and preservation of
collections
| increase their understanding of the critical factors that
affect the care of museum collections
| develop skills in making decisions about storage, collection
maintenance, and safe handling of collections.
Workshop Content
The Workshop Series curriculum is linked directly to issues
faced by people working in small, emerging, culturally specific,
and rural museums. Introduction to Caring for Museum Collections
aims to aid staff in establishing and maintaining physical and
intellectual control of their collections. The workshop focuses
on the practical aspects of establishing policies and procedures,
developing record keeping forms, and inventorying, documenting,
and locating objects held by the museum.
Application Deadline - July 19, 1996
Who should attend:
The workshop is designed for people responsible for
planning, managing, coordinating, delegating, and performing
collection care and management activities; whose budgets are
under $250,000; and have five or less full-time staff. Eligible
are staff, volunteers, and board members, in paid or unpaid
positions, who work full- or part-time.
Selection criteria:
Up to 16 participants will be selected on a competitive
basis to attend the workshop. Preference is given to applicants
who have a demonstrated commitment to the museum field and whose
primary responsibilities are directly related to the workshop
topic.
Workshop methods and materials:
Instructional methods include a mix of lectures,
demonstrations, tours, group discussions, and hands-on skills
training and exercises. On-site visits to museums, similar in
scope and orientation to workshop participants' institutions, are
integral components of the instructional process. The visits
serve as case studies for examining organizational responses to
real museum situations.
Participants are expected to take an active role in their
learning process by analyzing and sharing their own experiences,
contributing to and leading group projects, and developing and
critiquing action plans developed during the workshop.
Each participant receives a resource notebook specially
designed for the workshop. It contains selected reference
materials, model forms, resource lists, and bibliographic
citations.
Faculty:
The teaching team will be drawn from the staff of the
Smithsonian Institution and other museums and cultural
institutions in the Washington, DC area. All workshop
instructors have demonstrated expertise in their subject areas
and have first-hand knowledge of situations similar to those
which workshop participants face.
Cost:
The workshop fee is $275.00. It covers all tuition,
instructional materials, one group meal and transportation to
instructional sites that are not accessible via the city's
subway/bus system or within walking distance of the Smithsonian
Mall. Participants are responsible for their own lodging, food,
transportation, telephone and fax charges, and other personal
expenses. Scholarships are not available from the Smithsonian.
Funding opportunities may be available through your state arts
or humanities council.
Payment Schedule:
Do NOT send any money with the application form. A $150.00
deposit is due within 10 days of notification of acceptance to
the workshop. Seventy-five dollars ($75.00) of the deposit is
refundable if written notice of cancellation is received four (4)
weeks prior to the first day of the workshop.
The balance of the workshop fee ($125.00) is due in the CMS
office three weeks prior to the first day of the workshop.
Application procedure:
1. Complete the attached Introduction to Caring for Museum
Collections Application Form.
2. Attach a one-page resume outlining your educational and
employment history, professional affiliations, and achievements.
3. Secure a letter of support from your director, board
official, or the person to whom you report, and include it in the
Application Form and Resume.
4. Mail an original and three (3) copies of all the application
materials (application form, resume, and letter of support) to:
Workshop Series Center for Museum Studies
MRC 427
Smithsonian Institution
Washington, D.C. 20560
Facsimile-transmitted applications will not be accepted.
5. To be eligible for consideration, applications must be
Postmarked by July 19, 1996. Notification of admission decisions
will be made August 16, 1996.
For further information, contact the Workshop Series, Center for
Museum Studies telephone 202-357-3101, fax 202-357-3346, or e-
mail [log in to unmask]
APPLICATION DEADLINE - JULY 19, 1996
Application Form: Introduction to Caring for Museum Collections
Center for Museum Studies
Smithsonian Institution
Name
Name of museum
Title
Mailing address
Daytime telephone
Fax number
e-mail address
Tell us about your institution (These questions are designed to
help us develop workshop content that responds to the needs of
the participants. All information will be held in confidence.)
Do not send brochures or other printed materials about the museum
with this application.
1. What is your museum's main purpose?
2. What is the museum's best feature?
3. What is the major challenge facing your museum?
4. How many people work in your museum? _______________
How many are full-time? ______ How many are paid? ______
5. What is your museum's total budget? $__________________
6. What percentage of the budget is allocated to collections
care? $________________________
7. What kind(s) of collections does the museum hold?
8. What is the title of the person who is responsible for
collection care at your institution?
What tasks does that person perform?
9. Does the museum have a collections policy and procedures
manual? yes ___ no ___ What date was it written? _______
10. Does the museum loan objects to other institutions?
yes ___ no ___
Does the museum borrow objects from other institutions?
yes ___ no ___
11. Is your museum "computerized?" yes _______ no ______
For what function(s) is the computer used?
word processing ___ collections management ______
administration _____ communicating between offices,
academic, and cultural institutions _____
other, explain____________________________________________
12. Is your museum hooked-up to "internet?" yes ___ no___
13. Is your museum part of a collaborative cultural network or
other association? yes_____ no_____
Tell us about yourself:
1. What got you started working in a museum?
2. What are your direct responsibilities?
3. Are you new to this assignment? yes ___ no ___
4. What is the most immediate challenge that you face in your
job?
5. What is the most serious long-term problem that you face in
your position?
6. Do you operate a computer? yes ____ no____
What software do you use? _______________________
7. What would you most want to accomplish by attending this
workshop?
8. Do you have supervisory responsibilities? yes___ no___
9. Do you have responsibilities for budgeting? yes ___ no___
10. Do you write grant(s)? yes___ no___
11. What one collection management objective would you like to
achieve in the coming year?
12. Is there a specific project for which you expect attendance
at this workshop will prepare you?
13. How will the information/experiences gained through
attending this workshop be
shared with others in your network or circle?
14. Other information you would like to share that will help us
design the workshop?
Thank you for your interest in the Introduction to Caring for
Museum Collections workshop.
Signature________________________________________Date____________
Mail an original and three (3) copies of the completed
application package (application form, resume, and letter of
support) to:
Workshop Series Center for Museum Studies
MRC 427
Smithsonian Institution
Washington, DC 20560
Facsimile transmitted applications will not be accepted.
Postmark deadline: July 19, 1996
Bruce C. Craig Internet: [log in to unmask]
Center for Museum Studies Smithsonian Institution
A&I 2235-MRC427 Washington, DC 20560
(202) 357-3148 FAX:(202) 357-3346
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