Are there people visiting the  exhibits?  He/she should go to the exhibits and talk with the visitors, see how they would feel about music.  And I agree about having control over the volume for tours.

Or better yet, have the director walk in with a “boom box” playing the kind of music  that s/he’d like to hear, see the reaction.

Or – try it as a “special event” – promote it as such.

I have an easier time understanding use of music in an art gallery – especially one themed after a particular culture, theming the music to match the culture.

I still think we are far too afraid of quiet in our society.

Concerning the music in exhibits, our director has decided its just too quiet and wants to bring some ‘life’ inside.

Lisa

Curator

The Milwaukee Public Museum has had associated music in its African, Latin American, North American Indian, Pacific and Asian galleries since about 1964.  If it’s not too loud, our surveys have found that people enjoy it and some actually dance to the music, hum or tap their feet while in the galleries.  If tours are given in the area where music will be playing, however, there should be an easy system for it to be turned on, off or placed at low volume. If, however, the music has nothing to do with the exhibit, not sure what the point is since music is usually placed in exhibits to create a mood. Is this the director’s reasoning for adding music or is he concerned that its too quiet in the museum?

Dawn Scher Thomae

Milwaukee Public Museum

Listers,

My director has put to me a request for ‘regional music’ in all of our exhibits. Now, as I curator I balked at the idea of breaking themes of my galleries with random music that has nothing to do with the exhibit ie. A military exhibit or a doctors exhibit. I was wondering of your opinions concerning music in galleries/exhibits, do you have music, have you rejected the idea and why?

Any opinions would be helpful!

Thank you!

Lisa

Curator of Collections and Exhibits

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