Quantifying the distance that the visitors are expected to maintain from
the art is a positive way to phrase the request not to touch. Local
museums here seem to agree on 12 inches. Suggestion for your power
point: "Please maintain a safe distance (12") from the art." Here is an
excerpt from our security manual dealing with touching of the art by
visitors.
3.2.2	Touching Art 
Visitors will not be permitted to touch art works (including frames &
display cases) and must maintain a safe distance from the art at all
times. Even small amounts of oils present on everyone's fingertips can
cumulatively cause damage to art objects. It is reasonable to politely
ask a visitor to remain at least twelve inches or more from art objects
when pointing. Objects (such as crutches, canes, pencils, gallery
guides, brochures, eyeglasses, etc.) may not be used as pointers.  You
may tactfully remind visitors that unintentional damage can result from
gesturing with hands or other objects too close to a work of art.

tcb

-----Original Message-----
From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
Behalf Of Laurel Spencer-Forsythe
Sent: Tuesday, May 01, 2007 9:48 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [MUSEUM-L] Positive ways to say "Do not touch"?

A group of educators working in collaboration with museum staff to
develop
curriculum materials objected to the negative approach to traditional
museum
rules like "don't touch" and "no running." While it was easy enough to
put a
positive spin on "no running" and turn it into "walk"-- we are having
more
trouble coming up with a positive way of communicating "don't touch"
clearly
in written form (this is in a PowerPoint presentation that serves as a
field
trip orientation). 

One teacher suggested stating the ways that touching damages works of
art
and artifacts, which is a method I've often seen used effectively, BUT
we
need a pretty basic directive not an explication of conservation
theory.....
The "museum rules" slide is the last slide after a pretty lengthy
presentation (about 80 slides), so the message needs to be brief.

Any great ideas out there you can share?

Thanks!

Laurel Spencer Forsythe
Executive Director
Ruthmere
302 E. Beardsley Ave.
Elkhart, IN 46514
(574) 264-0330

www.ruthmere.org

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