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Brammer
Bianaca BrammerAnthropology 377
“Ball State University”April 11, 2010
Brammer
Introduction to Museum WorkG. Ellis Burcaw
The American Association for State and Local History: 1983
209 pages
(pg. vii) Brammer
Introduction to Museum WorkWritten for the average
student interested in museum work.
Information on museum practices and operations.
The most important function of a museum is its educational function and purpose.
(pg. 3-5) Brammer
Museum TerminologyObject: a material, three-dimensional thing of any kindSpecimen: a representative member of a class of objectsArtifact: an object produced or shaped by human
workmanship or a natural object used by humansCollections: objects acquired and preserved because of
their potential value as examplesAccession: acquiring one or more objects from one sourceCataloguing: assigning an object to one or more
categoriesDisplay: the showing of objects, depending on the viewer
(pg. 9) Brammer
What Is A Museum?A building or space within a building significant chiefly
for preservation and/or exhibition of collectionsAn institution for the safekeeping of objects and for
the interpretation of these objects through research and exhibition
An institution for the preservation of those objects which best illustrate the phenomena of nature and the works of man
A permanent establishment, administered for the purpose of preserving, studying, and enhancing
The History of MuseumsMuseums were perpetuated by the desire to
accumulate objects and the desire to show them to other people
The first museums created were not open to the public
The World Fair’s created a need for museumsObjects and exhibits from these fairs had to be
housed somewhereThe American Museum of Natural History,
Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Boston Museum of Fine Arts were all created from the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia
(pg. 20) Brammer
(pg. 24,26) Brammer
Museum PracticesThe American Association of Museums is the
professional organization of museums and museum employees
Principles of Good Exhibit PracticeThe exhibit must first attract the visitor’s interest It must inspire confidence in the exhibitor and in what
they have to say or offerHaving gained the visitor’s confidence, the exhibit must
re-ward them by showing something seriously worth seeing and by enabling them to understand what the creator sees
It must do this in a pleasing way and in good taste
(pg. 31-33) Brammer
Categorizing MuseumsA museum is characterized mainly by the kinds of
objects it collectsArt Museums- art plays on the senses by the
selection, ordering, and arrangement of that which will produce sensationFine Art, Applied Art, Folk Art
Science Museums- Technology/Science Industry or Natural History Museums
History Museums- objects must be collected to serve the purpose of public education
(pg. 37,39) Brammer
Museum OrganizationRegardless of who owns the museum it should have
a board of trustees to whom the director reportsDirector- chief administrative officer of a museum;
hires and fires and is in direct charge of operationTrustees- responsibility limited to matters of board
policy and of ensuring the adequate financing of the museum
Curator- in charge of a museum collectionVolunteers- essential for museum operation due to
their time, effort, and affordability
(pg. 47-49) Brammer
Collecting TheoryOnly the museum if founded on the principle that
selecting and preserving objects is of importance to people today and in the future
Museums cannot collect all objects that exist, collecting must be selective
Collecting Theory:Geography- with what physical area will the museum
be concerned?Subject- what is the museum concerned with?Time- what time frame will your museum be limited
to?
(pg. 62) Brammer
What To CollectItems to eliminate:
Lie outside the defined scope of the museumAre not significant and which cannot be used for
research, exhibition, or loanAre so badly damaged or deteriorated that they are
of little or no useWould accomplish more good in another museumAre duplicated many times
(pg. 93,98) Brammer
Care And Security Of Collections
Storerooms must be provided and the collections must be organized and accessible
Objects on public view may be less than ½ of the total collections
Space required: 40% collections, 40% exhibits, 20% everything else (hallways, information center, etc.)
Security involves the care of collections, insurance against severe financial loss, and physical security
(pg. 118) Brammer
Museum Interpretation An exhibit should be designed so as to produce a
particular resultThe exhibit must possess these seven qualities:
Safety and securityVisibilityEye catchingGood lookingAttention grabbingWorthwhileGood
(pg. 135) Brammer
Interpretation Cont.Objects alone, without explanation, organization,
and selection—would not support the educational aim of the modern museum
Interpretation is a communication between the museum staff and the public, if the public does not walk away with a greater understanding of the exhibit; the museum staff has not done their job
(pg. 115-116) Brammer
Museum VisitorsKeeping the visitor in mind, exhibits can be
classified as aesthetic, entertaining, systematic, ecological, permanent, or temporary
Every museum worker needs to understand the basic techniques of good exhibit production, as well as knowing the needs and behavior of the museum visitor
The museum worker is required to see each exhibit from multiple sides, the side of the curator and the side of the visitor
(pg. vii) Brammer
Starting A Career In Museum Work
Museum training:College and university courses for creditCorrespondence studyOn-the-job practical trainingShort-term workshops and seminarsProfessional meetingsScholarships, fellowships, and internshipsVocational training And more
(pg. viii, 184,186) Brammer
Museum ProfessionsA museum worker, especially one in a decision-
making position, must be or become a professionalAAM bulletins regularly list position openingBegin by volunteering and work your way up through
the museum professionsThe student or beginner should be willing to take a job
that is not exactly what he/she wants for the rest of their life
You must feel that your work in a museum is of great importance
Brammer
Applied InformationLimiting your exhibit to a specific geographical,
time, and subject matter will make your museum more professional and organized
You cannot collect everythingA career in museum work involves experience in
the field and educationFocus on the audience is of particular importance
Specifically what they will find most meaningful
Brammer
Any Questions?