I have to comment that as a conservator I am not in favor of food being in proximity to any collections.

There can be issues with people - contract caterers and guests (as described in a previous post). There are certainly issues with food. Not only spills and stains but also from crumbs and smells that are powerful attractions to a host of pests. Once pests come into an exhibit area and even though they don't find the food that triggered them they can easily look for food in the cases that are nearby. It's far better to host food events outdoors in a tent or patio, or in a museum restaurant that is separated from the collections and exhibits.

Cheers!
Dave

David Harvey
Senior Conservator and Museum Consultant
Los Angeles CA. USA
www.cityofangelsconservation.weebly.com

On Tue, Apr 3, 2018, 11:46 AM Katie Burke <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
Depends on where and what your space situation is. We have done a few very small evening dinner events with success. By small, I am talking two round tables that seat 20. In this particular space, everything is in an exhibit case, so nothing can really be damaged without opening a case. We also have someone there separate from the event to watch guests and how they are interacting within the space. Again, it really just depends.

On Tue, Apr 3, 2018 at 1:33 PM, Laura Rice <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
If you must, exercise great caution. Place tables and food and drank well away from artwork and artifacts, and conduct thorough inspections of the collections pieces and space before and after. I don't recommend it--I worked for a museum that once had a large pan of gravy go through a painting. Repairs were costly--so be sure your caterer is heavily insured should something go awry.

Laura Rice

-----Original Message-----
From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Wade Lawrence
Sent: Tuesday, April 03, 2018 11:49 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [MUSEUM-L] Fine dining in exhibit galleries

Hello learned colleagues,

What are the current thoughts in our field about holding small, controlled, infrequent fine-dining events inside museum exhibit galleries? Recent published articles suggest that several respected museums have held such events, and I wonder if anyone has experiences to share or opinions to put forward.

Wade Lawrence

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