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?