Some years ago I advised the stakeholders' committee for a start-up
museum. They had a wonderful space and a clear vision of the museum's
mission--but no collection and very little money to build one (or to
hire professional staff). I was pretty sure that the volunteer group
could not guarantee proper storage, conservation, or record-keeping
and that the museum would be deluged with stuff that did not fit its
mission.
I urged them to take only outright donations--no conditions, no
loans--and to make it clear on the donation forms that the museum was
not obliged to exhibit or to keep any piece of donated material.
As you think about the collection policy for the immediate future, it
would help to identify, say, 5 major audiences in the community for
the museum and to plan 5 years worth of temporary exhibits around
themes that apply to all of those groups. Then, when you're offered
material, you'll be able to spot items that would be helpful in the
research, exhibitions, and programs in the short-term.
Karen Reeds
Independent museum consultant and exhibit curator
From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
Behalf Of Caroline Harben
Sent: Monday, July 14, 2008 8:58 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Developing a Collection Policy Prior to Having a Collection
Hi everyone
I am helping a community group establish a collection policy to guide
establishment of a suitable collection that will interpret their
small community.
This is being done prior to any collecting happens!.
As you can imagine its an unusual scenario and one that offers
potential for clear guidelines and avoiding the duplications that
exist in small collections that have not benefitted from established
policies.
Its also a real opportunity to think outside the square in terms of
what mechanisms are appropriate for small communities with little
funding or designated venues to still capture and tell their stories.
If you know of something similar or have some words of wisdom it
would be much appreciated.
Regards
Caroline Harben
--
Karen Reeds, PhD, FLS
Guest Curator
Come into a New World: Linnaeus & America
American Swedish Historical Museum, Philadelphia, February 15-July 1, 2007
Now showing at New Jersey State Museum, Trenton, NJ , May-December, 2008
http://www.americanswedish.org/
http://www.americanswedish.org/linnaeus.htm
http://www.newjerseystatemuseum.org/
[log in to unmask]
609--279-9420
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