INTRODUCTION TO THE MANAGEMENT OF MUSEUM COLLECTIONS
October 20 - 24, 2003
Application Deadline: July 7, 2003
Collections form the core of a museum's research and public education
programs and activities. Collections are the means by which communities
provide visual and physical evidence of their heritage, explore
perspectives, and come to new understandings. The acquisition and possession
of collections impose legal and ethical obligations to provide proper
management, preservation, and use of the collections and their associated
information. Museums must address critical issues in the management and
care of their collections to preserve them for future generations.
This workshop will broadly cover the aspects of managing collections at a
level intended for new and/or untrained museum staff.
Workshop Objectives
Participants can expect to:
-- learn the essential elements of a museum collections management policy
and its role in the care and stewardship of collections, including legal and
ethical considerations
-- expand their knowledge of the roles 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 information management, object
transactions, and proper maintenance of collections.
Workshop Content
The workshop is an introduction to various elements in the management of
collections. The curriculum focuses on the development and practical
application of policies and procedures necessary to establish and maintain
physical and intellectual control of museum collections.
Aspects of collections management are broadly covered at a level intended
for new and/or untrained museum staff. The faculty will take into
consideration the particular needs and concerns of the selected
participants.
Criteria for Selection
This workshop is designed for people responsible for planning, managing,
coordinating, delegating, and performing collection care and management
activities, and whose institutions possess a 501c3 or IRS equivalent
tax-exempt status.
Staff members, volunteers, and board members, in paid or unpaid positions,
who work full- or part-time are eligible to apply.
Up to 25 participants will be selected on a competitive basis to attend the
workshop. Selection will be based on:
* applicant's demonstrated commitment to the museum field
* need for professional training
* responsibilities directly related to collections management.
Staff of Smithsonian Affiliates museums are encouraged to apply.
Workshop Methods and Materials
Instructional methods include lectures, demonstrations, tours, group
discussions, and exercises. Visits to collections provide examples of
organizational responses to real museum situations.
Participants are expected to take an active role in the learning process by
sharing their own experiences and contributing to exercises.
Each participant receives several basic reference books and a resource
notebook designed for the workshop, which contains reference materials,
sample forms, resource lists, and bibliographic citations.
Faculty
The teaching team is led by Julie Link Haifley, Registrar, National Museum
of African Art, Smithsonian Institution; William Tompkins, National
Collections Coordinator, National Collections Program, Smithsonian
Institution; and Lee Williams, Collections Management Consultant.
Joining the Smithsonian faculty will be staff members from other museums
and cultural institutions in the Washington, D.C., area.
Cost
The workshop fee of $450 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 National 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 Institution. The
Smithsonian Center for Education and Museum Studies encourages applicants to
seek funding through their state arts and humanities councils and other
local resources.
Payment Schedule
Do NOT send money with the application form. A deposit of $225.00 is due
within ten days of notification of acceptance to the workshop. The balance
of the workshop fee, $225.00, is due to the Smithsonian Center for Education
and Museum Studies by August 4, 2003. One hundred and fifty dollars of the
deposit is refundable if written notice of cancellation is received by
September 8, 2003.
Application Procedure
Handwritten applications will not be accepted.
1. Type and complete the enclosed application form.
2. Attach a typewritten one-page resume outlining your educational and
employment history, professional training, affiliations, and achievements.
3. Attach an organizational chart that shows your position in your
organization.
4. Obtain a letter of support from your director, board official, or the
person to whom you report, and include it with the application form and
resume.
5. Mail one original and four copies of all the application materials
(application form, resume, organizational chart, and letter of support) to:
Introduction to the Management of Museum Collections
Smithsonian Center for Education and Museum Studies
Smithsonian Institution
PO Box 37012
Arts and Industries Building, Room 2235, MRC 427
Washington, DC 20013-7012
To be eligible for consideration, all parts of your application must be
typed, completed, and postmarked by July 1, 2003. Fax transmissions and
handwritten applications will not be accepted.
For additional information contact Bettie Lee, Workshop Manager,
Smithsonian Center for Education and Museum Studies by e-mail at
[log in to unmask]
Application Form
INTRODUCTION TO THE MANAGEMENT OF MUSEUM COLLECTIONS
October 20 - 24, 2003
Application Deadline: July 7, 2003
To be eligible for consideration, all parts of your application must be
typed, completed, and postmarked by July 1, 2003. Fax transmissions and
handwritten applications will not be accepted.
Applicant's name:
Position/title:
Museum:
Work address:
Work phone:
Work fax:
Home phone:
E-mail address:
I. 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. Is your museum a 501(c)(3) or IRS equivalent tax-exempt status (please
specify). Yes/No
2. What is the nature of your museum? (Type, purpose/mission, governing
authority, date established.)
3. What are the two major collections-related challenges facing your
museum? Please list only two areas of concern.
4. What is the total operating budget of your museum? If your museum is
part of a larger institution, please provide only the budget for your
museum.
5. What is the size of museum staff? Full-time_____ Part-time______
Volunteers _____
6. What are the title and duties of the person(s) responsible for the care
of collections?
7. What kind(s) of collections does the museum hold? (include the estimated
number of objects for each collection category)
8. What is the general condition of your collections?
9. Do you use contractors to care for your collection? Yes/No
If no, who monitors and/or recommends treatment for your objects?
10. Where are your collections located? Briefly describe.
On-Site________ Off-Site________
11. Do you have temperature/humidity controls in: storage Yes/No
exhibition Yes/No
Do you regularly monitor these systems in: storage Yes/No exhibition
Yes/No
How?
12. Does your museum have a disaster plan? Yes/No
13. Does the museum
have a collections management policy? Yes/No
When was it last reviewed and revised?
Does the museum have a collections procedures manual implementing the
policy? Y/N
14. By what methods does your museum acquire collections? (ie. donation,
purchase, field collecting, exchange)
15. Does the museum lend and/or borrow objects? Yes/No
16. What percentage of your collections are:
photographed ______% cataloged ______% inventoried
______%
17. Are your collection records automated? Yes/No If yes, what type
of electronic collections information system is the museum using? How much
of the collection is documented in an electronic system?
18. Does your museum digitize images of collection objects? Yes/No If
yes, what percentage of your collection objects have a digital image?
19. Is your museum part of a collaborative cultural network or other
association? Yes/No
If yes, please describe.
II. Tell us about yourself:
1. How long have you been in the museum field?
2. What museum training (academic and/or professional) have you had?
3. To what professional organizations do you belong?
4. How long have you been in your present position?
What are your direct responsibilities?
5. What are the two most immediate challenges that you face in your job?
6. What are the two most serious long-term problems that you face in your
position?
7. Do you have supervisory responsibilities? Yes/No
8. Do you have responsibilities for budgeting? Yes/No
9. Do you write grants? Yes/No
Which federal and/or private grants has your institution received?
10. What would you most want to accomplish or learn by attending this
workshop?
11. What one collection management objective would you like to achieve in
the coming year?
12. How will the information/experiences gained through attending this
workshop be shared with others in your museum or network?
13. How did you learn about this workshop?
The Smithsonian Center for Education and Museum Studies is committed to
providing access to all individuals attending the workshop.
Thank you for your interest in the INTRODUCTION TO THE MANAGEMENT OF MUSEUM
COLLECTIONS workshop.
Signature _____________________________________ Date
__________________
Mail one original and four copies of the completed application package
(application form, resume, organizational chart, and letter of support) to:
Introduction to the Management of Museum Collections
Smithsonian Center for Education and Museum Studies
Smithsonian Institution
PO Box 37012
Arts and Industries Building, Room 2235, MRC 427
Washington, DC 20013-7012
To be eligible for consideration, all parts of your application must be
typed, completed, and postmarked by July 1, 2003. Fax transmissions and
handwritten applications will not be accepted.
For additional information contact Bettie Lee, Workshop Manager,
Smithsonian Center for Education and Museum Studies at 202-633-8990 or by
e-mail at [log in to unmask]
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