In 1983, a study was conducted to determine the cost of “keeping” an object in a museum (Mychal Brown, in Museums and the Disposals Debate). It was determined that safe storage in a museum cost about $50 per object (climate control and overhead—conservation, research and staffing were not taken into account). Given that this survey is more than 30 years old, and collections have expanded, the number would be drastically higher today, according to Brown.

 

From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Erin Richardson
Sent: Wednesday, June 21, 2017 12:20 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [MUSEUM-L] Price Per Object in Storage Calculation

 

Hi Jessica:

 

This calculation does not exist to my knowledge currently.  However, it is part of my dissertation about the opportutnity cost of collection and collection relatinoship to organization overall health.

 

The closest study related to cost of collecting is 

Lord, B., Lord, G. D., & Nicks, J. (1989). The cost of collecting: Collection management in UK museums. London: Her Majesty’s Stationery Office.

 

I'll be taking my research on the road starting in winter 2017/2018 - I hope! Dissertation scheduled for completion May 2018.

 

Erin.

 

Erin Richardson

Director, Museum and Library Collections

Fenimore Art Museum and The Farmers' Museum

PhD Candidate, Leadership and Policy, Niagara University

 

 

 

On Wed, Jun 21, 2017 at 12:39 PM, Jessica Phillips <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

Dear Wise Listers,

Anyone have a calculation/formula for figuring out the annual cost of storage per object?

Thank you!!
Jessica

J.B. Phillips
Executive Director

 

Fraunces Tavern® Museum & SRNY
54 Pearl Street, New York, NY 10004
212-425-1778 x230

                  

 

Fraunces Tavern® is a registered service mark of the Sons of the Revolution℠ in the State of New York

 

 

To unsubscribe from the MUSEUM-L list, click the following link:
http://home.ease.lsoft.com/scripts/wa-HOME.exe?SUBED1=MUSEUM-L&A=1



 

--

Erin Crissman Richardson

 

To unsubscribe from the MUSEUM-L list, click the following link:
http://home.ease.lsoft.com/scripts/wa-HOME.exe?SUBED1=MUSEUM-L&A=1


Please consider the environment before printing. This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. If you have received this email in error please notify the system manager. Please note that any views or opinions presented in this email are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the district. Finally, the recipient should check this email and any attachments for the presence of viruses. The district accepts no liability for any damage caused by any virus transmitted by this email.

To unsubscribe from the MUSEUM-L list, click the following link:
http://home.ease.lsoft.com/scripts/wa-HOME.exe?SUBED1=MUSEUM-L&A=1