Could I please have a copy of your food policy?  Does it include consumption
of food in staff areas?  This is a battle we have been fighting and, for the
most part, losing.

Dr. Elizabeth A. Moore, Curator
Virginia Museum of Natural History
1001 Douglas Avenue
Martinsville, VA  24112
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-----Original Message-----
From: Deborah Cooper <[log in to unmask]>
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.museum-l
To: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Saturday, March 20, 1999 10:54 AM
Subject: Re: dining the galleries


>I can image a segregated space that could work for dining in a gallery BUT
we
>just went through a major effort to create a "no food in the galleries"
>policy.  The reasons were that food (crumbs, liquids, pieces) will drop on
the
>floor, issuing a clarion call to all local insects and mice.  The aftermath
>potential for damage to objects is very great.  And of course, the
potential
>for food not dropping on the floor but being spilled on objects is very
high.
>You know, you've just got to set that wine glass somewhere, and there is
that
>handy sculpture stand.  Also, people in the midst of a "dining experience"
are
>in social mode and don't necessarily notice that they are leaning against a
>painting while chatting.  Providing gallery level security and object
>protection at such an event is difficult at best.
>
>So we have written a policy that specifically states where in the museum
food
>can be served (lobbies for instance but not galleries) and the reasons why.
>We worked closely with the events folks so that in the end, they were on
our
>side.  We also worked closely with Board members who wanted to plan a 500
>person dinner in the art gallery.  They came to understand our concerns and
>instead put the dinner in a tented space in the garden.  It was very
elegant -
>a magical environment - and everybody was so pleased.
>
>If you would like a copy of the policy, send me your snail mail address.
>
>Deborah Cooper
>Museum Collections Coordinator
>Oakland Museum of California
>