The Smithsonian's Center for Museum Studies announces its final workshop for 1996 series. Application deadline is July 19, 1996. INTRODUCTION TO CARING FOR MUSEUM COLLECTIONS September 16 - 20, 1996 Collections and their documentation form the core of a museum's research and public education programs and activities. Collections are the means by which communities provide visual evidence of their heritage, explore perspectives, and come to new understandings. But, unless museums address the serious inadequacies in the care and management of collections for which they are entrusted, the ability of future generations to continue these functions is at risk. Workshop Objectives Participants can expect to: | learn about the essential elements of a museum collections policy and its role in the management of collections | expand their knowledge of the role 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 storage, collection maintenance, and safe handling of collections. Workshop Content The Workshop Series curriculum is linked directly to issues faced by people working in small, emerging, culturally specific, and rural museums. Introduction to Caring for Museum Collections aims to aid staff in establishing and maintaining physical and intellectual control of their collections. The workshop focuses on the practical aspects of establishing policies and procedures, developing record keeping forms, and inventorying, documenting, and locating objects held by the museum. Application Deadline - July 19, 1996 Who should attend: The workshop is designed for people responsible for planning, managing, coordinating, delegating, and performing collection care and management activities; whose budgets are under $250,000; and have five or less full-time staff. Eligible are staff, volunteers, and board members, in paid or unpaid positions, who work full- or part-time. Selection criteria: Up to 16 participants will be selected on a competitive basis to attend the workshop. Preference is given to applicants who have a demonstrated commitment to the museum field and whose primary responsibilities are directly related to the workshop topic. Workshop methods and materials: Instructional methods include a mix of lectures, demonstrations, tours, group discussions, and hands-on skills training and exercises. On-site visits to museums, similar in scope and orientation to workshop participants' institutions, are integral components of the instructional process. The visits serve as case studies for examining organizational responses to real museum situations. Participants are expected to take an active role in their learning process by analyzing and sharing their own experiences, contributing to and leading group projects, and developing and critiquing action plans developed during the workshop. Each participant receives a resource notebook specially designed for the workshop. It contains selected reference materials, model forms, resource lists, and bibliographic citations. Faculty: The teaching team will be drawn from the staff of the Smithsonian Institution and other museums and cultural institutions in the Washington, DC area. All workshop instructors have demonstrated expertise in their subject areas and have first-hand knowledge of situations similar to those which workshop participants face. Cost: The workshop fee is $275.00. It 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 Smithsonian 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. Funding opportunities may be available through your state arts or humanities council. Payment Schedule: Do NOT send any money with the application form. A $150.00 deposit is due within 10 days of notification of acceptance to the workshop. Seventy-five dollars ($75.00) of the deposit is refundable if written notice of cancellation is received four (4) weeks prior to the first day of the workshop. The balance of the workshop fee ($125.00) is due in the CMS office three weeks prior to the first day of the workshop. Application procedure: 1. Complete the attached Introduction to Caring for Museum Collections Application Form. 2. Attach a one-page resume outlining your educational and employment history, professional affiliations, and achievements. 3. Secure a letter of support from your director, board official, or the person to whom you report, and include it in the Application Form and Resume. 4. Mail an original and three (3) copies of all the application materials (application form, resume, and letter of support) to: Workshop Series Center for Museum Studies MRC 427 Smithsonian Institution Washington, D.C. 20560 Facsimile-transmitted applications will not be accepted. 5. To be eligible for consideration, applications must be Postmarked by July 19, 1996. Notification of admission decisions will be made August 16, 1996. For further information, contact the Workshop Series, Center for Museum Studies telephone 202-357-3101, fax 202-357-3346, or e- mail [log in to unmask] APPLICATION DEADLINE - JULY 19, 1996 Application Form: Introduction to Caring for Museum Collections Center for Museum Studies Smithsonian Institution Name Name of museum Title Mailing address Daytime telephone Fax number e-mail address 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. What is your museum's main purpose? 2. What is the museum's best feature? 3. What is the major challenge facing your museum? 4. How many people work in your museum? _______________ How many are full-time? ______ How many are paid? ______ 5. What is your museum's total budget? $__________________ 6. What percentage of the budget is allocated to collections care? $________________________ 7. What kind(s) of collections does the museum hold? 8. What is the title of the person who is responsible for collection care at your institution? What tasks does that person perform? 9. Does the museum have a collections policy and procedures manual? yes ___ no ___ What date was it written? _______ 10. Does the museum loan objects to other institutions? yes ___ no ___ Does the museum borrow objects from other institutions? yes ___ no ___ 11. Is your museum "computerized?" yes _______ no ______ For what function(s) is the computer used? word processing ___ collections management ______ administration _____ communicating between offices, academic, and cultural institutions _____ other, explain____________________________________________ 12. Is your museum hooked-up to "internet?" yes ___ no___ 13. Is your museum part of a collaborative cultural network or other association? yes_____ no_____ Tell us about yourself: 1. What got you started working in a museum? 2. What are your direct responsibilities? 3. Are you new to this assignment? yes ___ no ___ 4. What is the most immediate challenge that you face in your job? 5. What is the most serious long-term problem that you face in your position? 6. Do you operate a computer? yes ____ no____ What software do you use? _______________________ 7. What would you most want to accomplish by attending this workshop? 8. Do you have supervisory responsibilities? yes___ no___ 9. Do you have responsibilities for budgeting? yes ___ no___ 10. Do you write grant(s)? yes___ no___ 11. What one collection management objective would you like to achieve in the coming year? 12. Is there a specific project for which you expect attendance at this workshop will prepare you? 13. How will the information/experiences gained through attending this workshop be shared with others in your network or circle? 14. Other information you would like to share that will help us design the workshop? Thank you for your interest in the Introduction to Caring for Museum Collections workshop. Signature________________________________________Date____________ Mail an original and three (3) copies of the completed application package (application form, resume, and letter of support) to: Workshop Series Center for Museum Studies MRC 427 Smithsonian Institution Washington, DC 20560 Facsimile transmitted applications will not be accepted. Postmark deadline: July 19, 1996 Bruce C. Craig Internet: [log in to unmask] Center for Museum Studies Smithsonian Institution A&I 2235-MRC427 Washington, DC 20560 (202) 357-3148 FAX:(202) 357-3346